Answer (by Kimberly Bepler)

Overnight care is popular during those early weeks of sleep deprivation, and can involve help with breast or bottle feeding and maximizing your sleep so that you are refreshed for another full day of parenting. At ABC Doula Service we work overnights with about 40% of our clients. Currently I have my team members and I (we are a company of 12 women, 6 of whom do nights) doing the overnights. We have all had experience with overnight care and love helping families during this vulnerable and precious time. Having a peaceful and confident caregiver at night makes the recovery time go faster, and parents gain the understanding and energy to manage their families better. It is wonderful to have someone nurturing to care for baby, wash bottles/pump parts, prepare snacks for the breastfeeding/pumping mom, fold laundry (or other quiet tasks) and even cook a hot breakfast for the family (if time allows). Not every family needs overnight care, but just knowing it is available can be reassuring for a sleepless new family.