What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Newborn Care Specialist Or Postpartum Doula During The First 3 Months?
Newborn Care Specialists Cultivate Peace of Mind for New Parents
Newborn Care Specialists provide peace of mind for new parents and families in the first few months of a baby’s life. You may hear them referred to as an NCS, a baby nurse, or a postpartum doula. No matter the term, their role as trained professionals is to help new parents learn the skills needed to care for a newborn, while also providing an extra pair of hands during this demanding but precious time.
Infant care is made up of tons of tasks such as feeding, bathing, diapering, soothing the baby, and establishing sleep routines. Often new parents have no idea how to do these things before their baby is placed in their arms. This is where newborn care specialists shine—using their expertise in infant care to educate parents on how to care for their own child in supportive and empowering ways. Although they are not medical professionals, they may also educate parents on newborn development, behavior, and safety. If common issues such as colic, reflux, or other sleep troubles impact an infant’s sleep, newborn care specialists can help create a care plan to address the parents’ concerns.
An important thing to note is that it is not all about the baby! Postpartum doulas are equipped to support the mother's postpartum recovery as well. Mamas deserve to be cared for, too. Postpartum doulas and/or newborn care specialists may assist with breastfeeding, encourage mother-baby bonding and attachment, complete light household tasks such as baby laundry and bottle washing, and generally help the mother regain her strength after childbirth. Postpartum doulas care about a mother’s mental, emotional, and physical healing. For many families, their presence allows the mother to focus on healing and establishing a connection with the new baby.
Newborn care specialists view the first 3 months of a child’s life as an important time for parents to develop confidence in their parenting skills. Parents often just need assurance that they are capable of caring for their child, along with gentle guidance in areas they have no prior experience in. Through observing and learning from newborn care professionals, parents can keep up with the healthy routines with confidence long after the NCS leaves. The following paragraphs give a breakdown to the supports a newborn care specialist can give new parents.
Support 1 - Establishing Feeding Routines
Eat. Sleep. These two things make up the daily life a newborn. That is why learning to support an infant’s eating schedule is so important. Hunger cues can be challenging to recognize as a new parent, as well as creating feeding routines that support a newborn’s development. This is where a newborn care specialist can provide invaluable guidance and support. You don’t have to figure it out alone!
Early hunger cues are easier to spot with a trained eye, and a NCS has just that. With their guidance, parents will learn to identify hunger cues in their own baby such as increased alertness, mouthing, rooting, redness in the eyebrows, and sucking motions. This enables parents to address a baby’s needs quickly and anticipate their needs. No more guessing what the baby may need based on their cry! The NCS may also work with you to develop an age-appropriate feeding schedule, with feedings spaced out depending on the child’s specific needs. We want the baby fed, healthy and happy!
Not all parents choose to breastfeed, and that decision is entirely up to you! We all must make decisions that prioritize our health, lifestyle, and accessibility. A misconception I hear regularly is that bottle feeding is “easier.” Some aspects of bottle feeding may be easier to some, yet there are many things to learn in this area. It’s not as simple as putting milk in a bottle and putting it in the infant’s mouth. Proper techniques and postures are important when bottle feeding an infant, and an NCS can demonstrate and support as you learn. A newborn care specialist will help you get the hang of proper bottle positioning to help prevent ear infections, pacing the flow to avoid overfeeding, utilizing pauses to burp, identifying signs of fullness, and preparing and sterilizing a bottle. They'll also provide tips for minimizing gas and spit up. With hands-on guidance, parents gain confidence feeding their little one.
For mothers who choose to breastfeed, a specialist can provide mamas a sigh of relief as their expertise offers an extra layer of support. They help get breastfeeding off to the best start by providing advice on proper latching, positioning, and identifying hunger cues specific to breastfed babies. The specialist is there to answer questions, troubleshoot any breastfeeding challenges that arise, and reassure mothers throughout the process. Their guidance and validation can help instill confidence in new nursing mothers.
Support 2 - Soothing and Settling Baby
Let’s talk about what keeps new parents up at night—a baby’s cry. There are few things more difficult than attempting to calm a baby who can’t stop crying, especially in the wee hours of the morning. This is your sign to receive help from people who are specialized in calming and soothing a fussy baby. Your baby will thank you as well as your future self. Before long, you will be well-versed in soothing a crying baby because of the support of a newborn care specialist.
You may see soothing techniques online or on a social media platform like swaddling, shushing, rocking, swinging and feel as though you are now an expert on all things baby soothing. Newborn care specialists will tell you that not one thing will work for every baby! Finding what your works for your child may take a lot of trial and error! That is why it is so beneficial to have someone in your home who can rotate from one soothing technique to the next until they find what works. And give you hands-on support as you find your groove, too.
Let’s break down these soothing techniques. Swaddling is when the infant is wrapped up in cloth in a way that mimics the snug environment of the womb. For those of you that may be fearful of your competency in wrapping up your baby like a burrito…. have no fear! Companies make swaddles that are super middle-of-the-night friendly with Velcro straps. Shushing is a great tool to calm a baby that is overstimulated by background noise. Whether it is coming out of your mouth or a white noise machine, infants seem to rest easy when it is utilized. Lastly, rocking and swinging go hand in hand. The movement back and forth or side to side is often all an infant need to dose off. Many parents use a rocking chair for this purpose, or an infant swing may come in handy from time to time.
These soothing techniques may not always be enough if an infant is struggling with colic, reflux, or gas that leaves them uncomfortable most of the time. Newborn care specialists can teach you home remedies such as burping, bicycle kicks, tummy massage, and different holds to relieve discomfort. An NCS can also create schedules for feeding, napping, play, and bedtime that empowers new parents with the knowledge and confidence to handle unsettled periods and support their baby's development during the newborn phase.The first months with a newborn can be overwhelming for parents, especially when their little one is fussy or won't stop crying. A newborn care specialist is invaluable during this time, as they have extensive experience and training in calming and soothing crying babies.
Comforting Words
Newborn care specialists can teach you home remedies such as burping, bicycle kicks, tummy massage, and different holds to relieve discomfort.
Support 3 - Newborn Sleep
Do you remember your sleep routine when you were an infant? Do you even keep track of your own sleep schedule now? Chances are that the answer is no to both those questions. One of the most valuable services a newborn care specialist provides is help with establishing healthy sleep routines. Newborns have very different sleep cycles than 6-month old’s, toddlers, middle schoolers, and adults. Infants sleep for short periods throughout the day and night, without regard to what is happening around them. This fragmented sleep can be extremely disruptive for parents, making it difficult to get the rest they need to recover and care for their new baby.
Newborn care specialists are intimately familiar with newborn sleep patterns. A big part of their role is to normalize what is happening at each stage of infancy so that you as a parent feel validated. They can assist in developing schedules and routines to promote longer sleep stretches by utilizing techniques such as swaddling, white noise, and gentle settling. These tools come in handy as your infant grows, too.
Having a specialist available overnight is also hugely beneficial. They can attend to the baby for feeds, changes, and resettling, allowing the parents to get uninterrupted blocks of sleep. Those several solid hours of sleep make a world of difference, both physically and mentally. New parents often report that having an extra set of hands at night is the best gift imaginable.
Knowing their newborn is in the care of a qualified professional allows parents to switch off and recharge. The improved rest and recovery sets up the whole family for success in those early months.Newborn Development
Support 4 - Newborn Development
A newborn care specialist plays an important role in tracking your newborn's development milestones and acting quickly if there are any concerns. During the first three months, a baby goes through rapid changes, gaining head control, learning to focus their vision, starting to smile socially, cooing and babbling, and more. The specialist will monitor your baby's progress and ensure they are meeting physical, cognitive, and social milestones for their age. If your newborn seems delayed or is missing milestones, the specialist can recommend seeking pediatrician guidance or early intervention services.
The specialist can also suggest age-appropriate activities and games to promote healthy development in areas like motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and language. Reading books together, singing songs, doing tummy time, using rattles and soft blocks, and playing tracking games with faces and objects are all great ways to stimulate a newborn's growing brain and senses. With their expertise in normal newborn development, a specialist can explain what activities are suitable for your baby's current abilities and temperament. Taking advantage of this guidance early on helps set up healthy patterns for the future.
Support 5 - Newborn Safety
This topic is brought up by everyone: newborn safety. Newborn care specialists can assist families in creating a home that is loving, fun, and safe for the whole family. It is beneficial to have an extra set of eyes that are trained to see what could be potentially unsafe for your new addition to the family. They may help you:
Baby-proof the home and identify potential hazards - Newborn specialists conduct a thorough safety check of the home to look for potential dangers to the infant. What may be safe for you and your 5-year-old may not be safe for an infant. This includes checking for sharp edges on furniture, loose cords, uncovered outlets, clutter that could fall, small objects that could pose a choking hazard, and more. They educate parents on making the necessary adjustments to create a safer environment.
Offer safe sleep training - Specialists advise parents on current best practices for safe sleep, like placing baby on their back, keeping the crib clear of toys and blankets, and not co-sleeping. They reinforce safe sleep habits by modeling them when putting the baby down for naps and overnight.
Advise on car seat safety - From choosing the right car seat to proper harnessing and installation, specialists instruct parents step-by-step on how to travel safely with a newborn. They explain the importance of rear-facing seats and not placing bulky clothing under the straps. This danger is especially common in the winter months. Hands-on demonstrations build parents' confidence in securing baby correctly.
With their expertise in newborn safety, specialists empower parents to make their home and daily routines as safe as possible during baby's vulnerable first months. Their guidance gives parents peace of mind knowing they are creating the most secure environment possible.
Support 6 - Parent Education
As we’ve mentioned throughout, a newborn care specialist can provide invaluable education and guidance to new parents during the first three months. They can teach the basics of newborn care like how to give a bath, change diapers, dress the baby, and more. Demonstrations of these hands-on skills can boost confidence for first-time parents.
While they are not medical professionals, newborn care specialists are familiar with common newborn issues like diaper rash, jaundice, skin conditions, reflux, and more. The tips, tricks, and advice they may provide will save you from repeat trips to the doctor’s office or many google searches. If the newborn has any special needs or health conditions, the specialist can provide care that is specific to your family and child.
In addition, a newborn care specialist provides emotional support and reassurance during a time filled with questions, worries, and anxiety. Their encouragement helps validate parents' feelings and concerns. With their comforting presence and wealth of experience, parents can turn to them for guidance on all aspects of newborn care during the postpartum period.
A postpartum doula helps at the home of the clients when they bring the baby home. They help with daily tasks so the mom and dad can take care of the demanding newborn. Loading the dishwasher or preparing meals is a great help to a new parent.
Support 7 - Postpartum Recovery
It’s not just about the baby! The mama needs extra care and attention, too. The postpartum period can be an extremely challenging time for new mothers as their bodies recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth. Nine months of carrying a child changes things on so many levels. Having a newborn care specialist allows the mother time to rest and focus on healing both physically and mentally during this vulnerable period.
The specialist can assist the mother with pain management, help her establish breastfeeding, and provide emotional support. Hormones, emotions, and physical changes happen continuously in the first couple months postpartum, and rest is the ultimate healer. With the specialist caring for the newborn's needs, the mother does not have to worry about lack of sleep or managing the baby while still recovering herself.
The specialist can also provide physical assistance such as helping the mother walk after a cesarean delivery, changing pads, and keeping the mother hydrated and nourished. They are also trained to watch for signs of postpartum depression and can encourage mothers to seek medical care if any concerning symptoms arise. Having this trained professional care for both the newborn and the mother promotes a faster, healthier postpartum recovery.
Support 8 - Building Parent Confidence
A newborn care specialist wants parents to be left feeling as though they can care for their child with confidence and joy. The aim is for the postpartum period to be full of hands-on guidance, training, and empowerment so that when the contract ends, the family is set up for success.
With the specialist's support, new parents can learn through observation. Newborn care tasks like diapering, bathing, feeding, and soothing don’t come naturally to everyone. That is totally okay! As the parents watch the specialist care for their baby, they gain exposure to techniques and best practices that they can then try themselves when they are ready.
The specialist also offers direct coaching to parents, talking them through each task step-by-step and giving feedback to help refine their skills. Over time new parents grow more assured in handling all aspects of their baby's needs. Knowing the specialist is there to provide an extra set of hands or advice as needed is tremendously reassuring.
My Conclusion For Parents
Hire a newborn care specialist! You will not regret it one bit. Their skills, knowledge, and presence reassure parents and builds their confidence during a time filled with uncertainty and stress. Focus on bonding with your new addition and learn healthy habits from the start. A newborn care specialists support and education provide a strong foundation for the entire family to thrive in this new chapter of life. Our team here at Babymoon Concierge would be delighted to serve your family. Contact us today!
Cheryl Abrams has been working as a Postpartum doula and Newborn Care Specialist in the Dallas Metroplex since 2009. She has trained with DONA , CAPPA and MotherMe Doulas, and worked with Gibson Newborn Care, Hush Little Babies and Harmony Baby Concierge. She is a Certified Newborn Specialist through The Newborn Care Training Academy and Upgraded her Postpartum Certification with Austin Baby Guru. She is also a member of the Newborn Care Specialists Association. Her agency is in the Dallas and Fort Worth Texas area and also serves Philadelphia PA, and Chesapeake Beach, MD.