Preparing for Your Overnight Doula, NCS, or Night Nanny: Simple Essentials for a Smooth Night
Bringing home a new baby is magical, exhausting, and a little disorienting all at once. In Los Angeles and the surrounding areas: from Santa Monica to Pasadena, Manhattan Beach to Silver Lake, families often hire overnight doulas, newborn care specialists (NCS), or night nannies for extra postpartum support. These professionals provide hands on newborn care, emotional guidance, and practical help during the night, giving parents a chance to rest, recover, and feel supported. You may also hear the outdated term night nurse, though today most families hire NCS or night nannies for non medical overnight newborn care.
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
Having a few essentials ready makes nighttime support smoother for everyone:
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.
Feeding Chair – A supportive chair for bottle feeding makes nighttime feeds more comfortable.
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 postpartum doulas and NCS professionals support families across Los Angeles with expertise, compassion, and solidarity. Whether you’re in the South Bay, West LA, or the Valley, we’re here to help your family feel held, supported, and cared for through those first tender nights.
