Whether you are looking into becoming a postpartum doula or you’re about to welcome a baby, you might wonder the difference between a nanny and a postpartum doula. Afterall, both can provide care for families and especially infants.
Many families seek additional support when welcoming a new baby, often turning to experts like postpartum doulas and nannies. But what are the differences between the two experts?
First, lets look at postpartum doulas. At the International Doula Institute (IDI) we have trained thousands of doulas all over the world. As a globally recognized doula training, IDI uses evidence-based curriculum to ensure our certified doulas understand their role in supporting families.
Postpartum Doula:
A Postpartum Doula Provides Emotional and Physical Support:
Postpartum doulas specialize in providing holistic support to new parents during the early weeks and months following childbirth. While they do provide support for infant care, their primary focus is on the birthing person and the family unit as a whole, not simply childcare.
Postpartum doulas provide the emotional reassurance and guidance families need during the intense adjustment period. Doulas understand the physiological changes after birth, including baby blues, perinatal wellness, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
They focus on support that allows healing and encourages bonding. The reason infant care is not usually their primary focus is to ensure bonding occurs. The infant care postpartum doulas provide is meant to aid in healing and rest without interfering with the family unit bonding.
Breastfeeding Support
Doulas who certify with IDI are all trained to provide basic breastfeeding initiation support. They provide non-judgmental and evidence-based support to help families meet their personal breastfeeding goals.
With understanding of basic anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding and newborn feeding habits, postpartum doulas aid in establishing breastfeeding. Many postpartum doulas also choose to get even more lactation training and might be a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor.
Their infant care, sleep support, routine support, etc., is all designed to help parents meet their breastfeeding goals.
Postpartum Doulas Provide Education and Guidance
A postpartum doulas role is to help parents find their parenting style, parenting preferences, and the routines which work best for them. Doulas offer evidence-based information, resources, and even referrals to other area experts who can assist in unique areas.
Doulas differentiate between personal opinions and anecdotes, and true evidence-based information. Unlike well-meaning friends and family, they want to guide you in making the choices that feel right for you based in evidence. Doulas must participate in continuing education which means an expert, certified postpartum doula will be up to date with safe infant sleep, feeding guidelines, and more.
Nanny:
A Nanny’s Priority is Childcare and Development
Nannies focus primarily on providing childcare and developmental support for infants and children. They may be responsible for feeding, diapering, bathing, and engaging in age-appropriate activities to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Nannies typically work regular hours and may provide care for multiple children within a family.
For parents not in need of postpartum specific support and guidance, a nanny might be a great choice. However, for parents looking for postpartum guidance, infant feeding support and guidance, and a focus on family bonding, a doula might be a better fit.
Some Nannies Provide Household Management
In addition to childcare duties, nannies may also be responsible for light housekeeping tasks related to the care of the children. A nanny might do meal preparation for kids, laundry, and tidying up play areas.
Their role may include maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children and supporting the overall functioning of the household. Doulas may also provide some light housekeeping support. They also may assist with meal prep. However, their meal preparation is often for the family unit with a focus on postpartum nutrition.
Long-Term Commitment
Unlike postpartum doulas, who typically provide short-term support during the immediate postpartum period, nannies often work with families on a long-term basis. Sometimes nannies work for the same family for several years. They may develop close relationships with the children and become integral members of the family’s support network over time. For those in need of long-term support for childcare, a nanny is a great fit.
Most postpartum doulas provide supportive care and guidance for up to the first three months postpartum. Some doulas will provide care for up to 6-12 months, though after 6 months is rare.
What is The Difference Between a Nanny and A Postpartum Doula?
As you read, postpartum doulas and nannies do have some overlap. However, postpartum doulas have a focus on the birthing person and the family unit. While that can include infant care, caring for the infant directly and for most of the shift, is not typical. They often care for the parents, home, and even siblings, in a way that facilitates more bonding.
Nannies have a primary focus on children. They are well educated in childcare and child development. While they may be familiar with infants, they are not always familiar with breastfeeding, typical newborn behaviors, and how to facilitate bonding in the immediate postpartum period.
It is not uncommon for some nannies to choose to become a postpartum doula so they can provide multiple services to families in their communities.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...