Preparing for Your Overnight Doula, NCS, or Night Nanny: Simple Essentials for a Smooth Night
Bringing home a new baby is magical, exhausting, and disorienting all at once. In the Greater Los Angeles area many families lean on overnight doulas, newborn care specialists (NCS), or night nannies for postpartum help. Millennials especially are having babies later in life; in L.A. County, the average age of mothers giving birth is about 31.2 years . Gone are the days when grandma lived next door (and even if she did, she’s probably not signing up for night feeds). Many Angelenos are transplants without that built in support network. That’s where overnight support steps in: bringing hands on newborn care, emotional guidance, and practical help so parents can rest, recover, and actually FEEL supported. And while you might still hear the term “night nurse”, these days the updated title is Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) or night nanny, whose scope covers non-medical overnight newborn care. If a caregiver refers to herself as a night nurse, check her credentials, they very well may be just as outdated.
Understanding the Roles: Overnight Doula, NCS, and Night Nanny
While these roles all provide nighttime help, their focus and approach differ:
Overnight Doula – An overnight doula is there for the most vulnerable times, holding space for middle of the night emotions that may come up and offering sidekick like support during exhaustion. They help the partner or family rest and recover while providing guidance, reassurance, and emotional support. Their goal is to support the entire family, not just the baby.
Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) – NCS professionals are trained in hands on newborn care, sleep strategies, and infant soothing. Their primary focus is on the baby’s routines, safety, and sleep, often including overnight feedings and diaper changes. While they support parents practically, their care centers on the infant.
Night Nanny – Often used interchangeably with an NCS, a night nanny provides overnight newborn care, including feedings, diaper changes, and sleep support. Like an NCS, their work is primarily baby centered, ensuring the newborn gets safe, consistent care so parents can rest.
Key takeaway: Overnight doulas focus on emotional and holistic family support during the night, while NCS and night nannies focus on hands on care for the baby.
Minimal Overnight Essentials Checklist
Overwhelmed by all the baby stuff?
Having a few key essentials ready makes nighttime support smoother for everyone. Keep the receipts for everything else!
Portable Night Light – Soft and warm, so your doula, NCS, or night nanny can see without overstimulating the baby (or you).
Sound Machine – Gentle white noise helps babies stay settled between feeds.
Changing Station – Stocked with diapers, wipes, and Aquaphor or a natural alternative for quick, low light changes.
Flat, Safe Sleep Surface for Baby – Bassinet or crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheet only.
Extra Burp Cloths – For middle of the night messes.
Extra Swaddles – Backup swaddles for spit up or blow outs.
Scent Free Bottle Soap – Gentle, odor free, and safe for baby bottles and pump parts.
Bottle Brush – For efficient, thorough cleaning between feeds.
Bed, Couch, or Futon for Doula/NCS – A comfortable spot for resting between care sessions. This space should not be shared with pets.
Feeding Chair – A supportive chair for bottle feeding makes nighttime feeds more comfortable, your back will thank you later.
Feeding Plan – Last but not least. It is helpful to have a clear plan outlining your baby’s feeding routine helps your doula or NCS follow your preferences. It may change, but a plan going into the night shift is helpful for everyone:
If breastfeeding, note where you’d like to nurse during the night.
If formula or combination feeding, indicate where bottles and formula are stored.
If you pump at night, include instructions for storing or bottle feeding expressed milk so your doula can assist efficiently.
That’s it: simple, minimal, and effective. With these items ready, your overnight doula, NCS, or night nanny can focus on what matters most: helping your baby sleep, supporting you, and letting your family rest and recover.
At Sunflower Nannies, our certified postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists (NCS) provide calm, evidence-based overnight support for families across Southern California: from Orange County to Calabasas, and Pasadena to Santa Monica. We focus on practical newborn care, emotional support, and helping you get the rest you need, so you can ease into parenthood with more confidence and empowerment. ❤️💪
