What is a Newborn Care Specialist?

A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is a trained professional specializing in the care and
well-being of newborns during the first few weeks or months of life. They assist with sleep routines, feeding guidance (breast or bottle), soothing techniques, and ensuring your baby is cared for while you rest or recover.

 

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A Postpartum Doula provides emotional, physical, and educational support to families after the birth of a baby. They help with newborn care, light household tasks, meal prep, and offer guidance to help you adjust to your new role as parents. Their focus is on nurturing the entire family.

 

What Is a Certified Lactation Educator?

A Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) is a professional trained to educate and support families in their breastfeeding journey. They focus on providing accurate, evidence-based information about breastfeeding and help parents build the skills and confidence needed to meet their feeding goals.

While a CLE is not a medical provider like an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), they play a key role in offering practical support, answering common questions, and addressing challenges such as latch techniques, milk supply concerns, and pumping tips.

At Baby After Hours, our lactation support is tailored to meet you where you are—whether that’s preparing before baby arrives or troubleshooting along the way. We're here to help make feeding your baby a positive and empowering experience!

 

How is a Newborn Care Specialist different from a “Baby Nurse?"

Newborn Care Specialist

A Newborn Care Specialist is a trained, non-medical professional specializing in
the care of newborns from 0–16 weeks. Their focus is on providing hands-on
support and expert guidance to help families navigate the early days with their
baby. They assist with:

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• Establishing feeding and sleep routines​

• Offering tips for soothing and general baby care

• Supporting parents in developing confidence with their newborn

 

Newborn Care Specialists typically work with healthy babies and are a great option for families looking for education and support to set their little one up for success.

Baby Nurse

The term "Baby Nurse" can be confusing, as it’s often used informally to describe someone hired to care for a newborn. However, unless licensed, these individuals are not medical professionals. There are two types of Baby Nurses:

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• Unlicensed Baby Nurse: A person who provides hands-on care, similar to a Newborn Care Specialist, but without formal training or certifications.

• Licensed Baby Nurse: A medical professional (e.g., RN or LPN) usually with expertise in postpartum or NICU care. Licensed Baby Nurses are great for newborns who require specialized medical attention.

How do these three differ from each other?

• Newborn Care Specialist: Focuses exclusively on newborn care, often working overnight or extended shifts. They are trained specifically in newborn needs like sleep and feeding.

• Postpartum Doula: Supports the whole family, including emotional well-being and recovery of the birthing parent, in addition to occasional baby care.

• “Baby Nurse”: May or may not have formal training and often works like a caregiver, focusing on baby care.

 

At Baby After Hours, I combine the best of my roles as a Newborn Care Specialist, Postpartum Doula, and Certified Lactation Educator to offer a holistic and personalized approach.

 

What Exactly Makes You “Holistic”?

Being “holistic” means I take a naturally minded, whole-picture approach to newborn care. I’ve received specialized training in holistic newborn care that goes beyond what many Newborn Care Specialists typically offer.

For me, holistic care starts with prioritizing natural, evidence-based solutions whenever possible. It also means looking at the full picture—whether we’re addressing baby’s tummy troubles, breastfeeding challenges, or even the emotional well-being of the family. I understand that no two families are the same, and I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Instead, I work closely with each family to optimize feeding, sleep, and overall care based on their unique goals and values. Together, we create a plan that feels right for you and supports your baby’s health and happiness.

 

What will you do on an overnight shift?

During an overnight shift, my focus is on taking care of your baby while you get a much-needed rest. This includes diaper changes, soothing, feedings (or bringing the baby to you if breastfeeding), and tracking your baby’s patterns. I’ll also ensure the baby’s comfort and
well-being, so you don’t have to worry about waking up during the night.

While the baby is sleeping, I’ll take the opportunity to rest as well, making sure I’m well-rested to provide the best support for both you and your baby.

Please note, I do not handle laundry or other household chores during the overnight shift. I do wash bottles and pump parts during the night as needed.  I will need a place to lay down and rest, and parents often set up the bassinet in a guest room or a designated area for me.

This shift allows you to get some uninterrupted sleep, knowing your baby is in great hands.

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Where will you sleep during an overnight shift?

I typically work with clients who provide a private bedroom and bathroom, along with a bassinet or crib that can be brought into the room to keep the baby close by. For some families, a daybed or couch in the nursery works well too. I’m always open to considering other sleeping arrangements, especially for clients with smaller spaces.

 

If you're unsure whether we can make it work, please feel free to reach out. We can discuss potential solutions to ensure everything is comfortable. I’m generally quite flexible, as long as the sleep space is clean, and I have the opportunity to see it before signing the contract.

 

What do you do during a late night shift?

A late night shift is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds! I’ll arrive in the early evening, right around the time when newborns often experience the fussy “witching hour.” My first step will be to help you settle in—ensuring you’ve had dinner, assisting with bedtime routines for older children, and making sure you have everything you need. Then, while you rest, I’ll care for the baby, manage any late-night feedings, and take care of light housework so you can truly relax.

This shift also gives us a chance to connect. We’ll check in about how you’re feeling, discuss your baby’s routine, and address any concerns you have. It’s a great time for feeding support, troubleshooting sleep strategies, and offering suggestions for the next day—all while ensuring you get a solid block of uninterrupted sleep.

I don’t sleep during this shift, so you can rest easy knowing I’m fully focused on supporting you and your baby. The shift typically ends between 1 and 2 AM, giving you peace of mind and a more restful night.

 

What if I’m breastfeeding?

If you’re breastfeeding, I’m here to fully support your journey! I can assist with latching, provide pumping guidance, and address your concerns. During overnight shifts, I’ll bring the baby to you for nursing and take care of everything else—diaper changes, burping, and soothing—so you can get back to sleep quickly and easily.

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Are you CPR Certified?

Yes, I’m CPR certified for both infants and adults. Your baby’s safety is always my top priority, and I’ve maintained and renewed this certification for over 10 years to ensure I’m ready in case of any emergency.

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My mom is staying for a few weeks, how will you be able to help me differently than she will?

It truly takes a village! Family support is incredibly valuable, and my role is designed to complement that by offering professional, evidence-based guidance. For example, if your mom is helping you stay well-fed, I can tackle other tasks like laundry or light housekeeping. If she’s spending time bonding with the baby, I can handle errands like grocery shopping or tidying up, giving you both the chance to rest without the added pressure.

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How long will you work with us?

I offer support to families from birth up to 16 weeks, with flexible scheduling based on my availability. Whether you need help for a few nights, a couple of weeks, or ongoing support over several months, I can create a personalized plan tailored to your family’s needs. My goal is to ensure you feel confident, supported, and well-prepared for each stage of your baby’s early days.

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Can you help with sleep?

Absolutely! I use gentle, evidence-based techniques to help your baby develop healthy sleep habits. If long-term breastfeeding is important to you, I will incorporate that into your sleep plan to ensure it aligns with your feeding goals.

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Do you only work at night?

No, I’m available for daytime, overnight, and late-night shifts depending on your family’s needs and my availability. During the day, I can assist with baby care, light household tasks, and provide education or emotional support. Overnight shifts focus on helping you rest, but I can adapt to whatever schedule works best for your family.

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What areas do you serve?

I primarily serve families in Charleston and the surrounding areas. For families outside of this region, I also offer virtual consultations to provide support from afar.

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Can you help with twins or multiples?

Yes! Caring for multiples requires special attention, and I have plenty of experience and strategies to support families with twins or more. I’ll tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of your family, ensuring that everyone gets the care and attention they deserve.

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What if I want to include formula or combination feeding?

I fully support all feeding choices—whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or using a combination of both. My goal is to help you find a feeding routine that works for your family, ensuring your baby is well-nourished and you feel confident in your choices.

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Do you provide lactation consultations?

As part of my services, I offer lactation education and support for common breastfeeding challenges, such as latching issues, supply concerns, or pumping tips. While I’m not an IBCLC, I can guide you holistically and refer you to additional resources if needed. I’m trained to recognize warning signs of issues that may fall outside of my scope and will always recommend seeking further help when necessary.

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What happens if my baby gets sick?

Your baby’s health and safety are my top priorities. I’m trained to recognize the signs of common illnesses and will notify you immediately if I notice anything concerning. While I don’t provide medical care, I can monitor symptoms and support you in seeking professional care if needed.

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Can you drive me to my doctor’s appointment?

While I don’t provide transportation, I can help in other ways. I can care for your baby while you attend your appointment, help you prepare for your outing, or coordinate additional support to ensure you have everything you need.

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Can you care for my baby without me present?

Yes, under my qualifications as a Newborn Care Specialist, I can care for your baby independently for extended periods, during daytime hours or overnight shifts. You can trust that your baby will be well cared for, including feedings, diaper changes, soothing, and sleep support, while you focus on other priorities or take time for yourself.

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What if you get sick?

If I become unwell, I’ll prioritize your family’s health by staying home and notifying you right away. I’ll work with you to arrange alternative support or reschedule shifts as needed to ensure you’re still well taken care of during this time.

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What if you get sick?

If I become unwell, I’ll prioritize your family’s health by staying home and notifying you right away. I’ll work with you to arrange alternative support or reschedule shifts as needed to ensure you’re still well taken care of during this time.