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What is a Postpartum Doula (PPD) ?
A postpartum doula provides evidence-based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. Research shows that moms, dads, and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team is in place.
The postpartum doula offers many services to her clients, but her main goals are to help “mother the mother” and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn. This would include helping mom and dad feel more confident in their roles, providing education on family adjustment, and attending to the unique needs of a new mother.
Some of the duties include:
- Breastfeeding support
- Help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
- Light housekeeping so that mom does not feel so overwhelmed
- Running errands
- Assistance with newborn care, such as diapering, bathing, feeding, and comforting
- Light meal preparation
- Baby soothing techniques
- Sibling care
- Referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support, and support groups
Most postpartum Doulas provide service for a family, anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks after bringing home a new baby.
A Postpartum Doula often offers nighttime service to help the family transition more smoothly into the challenges of nighttime parenting. Each doula offers different services, so it’s important that each family decide what their needs are and find a professional who can meet those needs.
What is a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS)?
The term “Newborn Care Specialist” (NCS) was coined in 2007 when industry leaders gathered at an International Nanny Association conference recognized the need for an appropriate, cohesive term to describe someone who focused on the care of newborns. The previous term used by most of the industry was “night nurse” or “baby nurse,” and because most of the women who fell into the category of Newborn Care Specialist were not Registered Nurses, that term was not only inappropriate but also illegal. The term NCS gave the industry a truly definitive title that describes the extensive knowledge and training that these professionals have in caring for newborns.
An NCS is generally hired to care for newborns either overnight or around the clock, and works independently with minimal guidance from parents. They are familiar with all the “normal” appearances and behaviors of a newborn and can help families determine when something falls outside that normal range, giving parents peace of mind that their newborn is developing appropriately. An NCS often has extensive knowledge in caring for multiple or premature infants, and is well-versed in establishing good eating and sleeping habits to set the optimal stage for sleep conditioning, with the goal of getting the newborn to sleep through the night and take age-appropriate naps as soon as is healthy and possible for that individual newborn.
An NCS is also well-versed in supporting family values and understands the importance of a child having healthy, educated, and empowered parents. An NCS will understand the value of and will support a breastfeeding parent, and will also understand and support, without judgment, a parent who chooses to formula feed, no matter the reason. They will also have a basic understanding of Postpartum Mood Disorders, and can help keep the entire family healthy by knowing when to suggest outside help. The most recent information on optimal newborn care is something the NCS keeps up with, and these resources are shared with families so they can make informed decisions based on current research and what works best for their family dynamic and values. The NCS is willing to mentor others and be mentored whenever it is appropriate, and fully understands the scope of practice they should work within at all times.
Why choose NSNI for your certification ?
The mission of NSNI Certification is to elevate the professions of postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists by providing independent, evidence-based certification that honors and preserves the distinct roles of each.
We certify quality care providers nationwide—regardless of affiliation—through rigorous yet accessible standards, ensuring families receive the right expert for their needs: heart-centered, relational support from doulas who nurture maternal recovery and family well-being, and precise, technical expertise from newborn care specialists who safeguard infant safety, soothing, and routine.
By maintaining clear boundaries between these complementary roles, NSN prevents dilution, promotes role-specific excellence, and fosters trust in a field where compassion and competence matter most.
Vision
A world where every family has access to exceptional, clearly defined support during the precious early weeks of parenthood—through certified professionals who excel in their unique strengths, free from gatekeeping or role confusion.
Independent standards. Real quality. Distinct roles. Exceptional care.
Why Pursue a Certification?
What Are the Initial and Ongoing Costs for Certification Through NSNI ?
- Review of Resume and Education, Included.
- Exam Fee, $150.00 individual, $250.00 combined PPD & NCS.
- Interviews, $125.00
- Background Check, $90
- Reference Checks, $120
- One-time (hard-copy and digital) certificate fee, $100.00
- For an annual fee of $50, your photo and contact information will be prominently displayed on our directory of Certified Doulas and Newborn Care Specialists, enabling families to contact you directly for potential hire.