Questions to Ask When You’re Looking for a Postpartum Doula or Night Nanny
Hiring someone to care for your newborn (and support you through those blurry, sacred, exhausting first weeks) is a big decision. You’re inviting someone into your home, into your baby’s first chapter, into your postpartum experience - and you deserve to feel confident, safe, and supported.
Whether you're searching for a postpartum doula, a night nanny, or you're not even sure what the difference is yet, this guide will help you ask the right questions to find the perfect fit.
First things first: What kind of support do you actually need?
Before diving into interviews, take a moment to ask yourself:
Are you looking for overnight support so you can sleep?
Do you want daytime help with newborn care, emotional support, and light household tasks?
Are you hoping to learn and build confidence as a new parent?
Is your partner returning to work soon, or do you have older kids who also need attention?
Having clarity on what you need helps you choose someone who’s truly aligned - not just available.
So let’s dive into the questions you should be asking - whether it’s while you are scouring websites to find what might work best for you or if you’ve scheduled consults with a few people!
1. What is your background and experience with newborns?
Look for answers that go beyond “I love babies!” A solid candidate should talk about their experience with newborn care, feeding support, sleep routines, multiples, or specific challenges like reflux or colic. If you're hiring through an agency, ask how team members are vetted and how long they’ve worked with their team.
2. How do you support parents emotionally and practically?
You probably want more than just diaper changes. A great postpartum doula or newborn specialist is able to help you process your birth, find your footing, and feel empowered in your parenting choices. Ask:
How do you support the emotional side of postpartum recovery?
What does a typical shift with you look like?
3. Are you trained or certified in anything?
There’s no national license for doulas or night nannies, but many pursue certifications in:
Postpartum doula work (e.g. DONA, CAPPA)
Infant sleep
Lactation or feeding support
CPR & infant safety (we require it!)
Specific training for multiples, NICU families and more!
Training isn’t everything - experience and intuition matter too - but it helps you understand their approach and scope of practice.
4. How do you handle sleep, crying, and feeding?
This one is big. Every provider (even professionals within the same agency) has a different philosophy. Ask:
How do you respond to a crying baby?
What’s your approach to infant sleep — especially in those early weeks?
Are you comfortable with formula, breastfeeding, pumping, combo-feeding?
You want their approach to match (or gently support) your family’s goals and values — not override them.
5. What are your boundaries and policies?
This one’s often skipped - but it matters. A professional will have clear policies around:
Scheduling and cancellations
When and how they communicate
What tasks they will (and won’t) do
COVID/illness protocols
Backups - Many solo doulas don’t have built-in backups and many agencies will pull backups from local Facebook groups.
Ask now so there are no surprises later!
6. What happens if/when my needs change?
Let’s say your baby sleeps longer than expected… or not at all. Life happens. Ask:
Can we add or reduce hours after we start?
Is there a minimum commitment?
What if my due date shifts?
How easy is it to wrap up if we don’t need as much support as planned?
Flexibility matters - and so does transparency. It’s important to know how this very personal service can flex with your needs!
7. How do you support partners and the rest of the family?
A great doula supports the whole household, not just the postpartum mom. Ask how they help partners bond with baby, share the load, and get rest too. If you have older kids, ask how they’ll navigate that dynamic - especially if you have a toddler who likes to wander the house at night (ask me how often this comes up 😅).
8. How will we know if it’s a good fit?
This one opens up a good conversation about personality and chemistry - not just credentials. A doula or night nanny might be amazing on paper, but you need to feel safe and seen with them in real life.
How do we proceed if it is not a good fit?
(If speaking with an agency) What do you take into account when pairing a team with your families?
9. Are you insured? Do you have a contract?
Professionals should have clear service agreements, liability insurance, and business practices that protect you both. If you're going through an agency (like Oh Baby! KC 😉), we’ll walk you through all of this.
Bonus: Ask your gut.
After the call or consult, check in with yourself:
Did I feel heard?
Did I feel rushed or reassured?
Did I get the sense this person would make things easier in my home?
You are allowed to choose support that feels like a soft place to land - not just someone who can swaddle.
Looking for support in Kansas City?
At Oh Baby! KC, we offer overnight care, postpartum doula support, and newborn sleep services tailored to your goals — whether you’re looking for hands-on help, a confidence boost, or just a full night’s sleep.
Let’s chat and see if we’re the right fit.💛