Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What are the steps to book birth or postpartum care?

Complete our inquiry form - share details about your preferences and budget.
We will review your requests and match you with 1-3 pre-secreened providers that meet your care needs, budget, location and due date.
We send you a link to their online profile with information about each qualified match.
You let us know who you want to interview.
Your preferred matches will contact you directly to introduce themselves and schedule interviews.
Tell us your top choice and we'll assist in finalizing the hiring process.
Reserving services will be done directly with the match you've chosen. They will send you a contract and invoice - we simply ask that you send us a signed copy of your contract once services are reserved.
Rest easy, knowing you've checked one more thing off your to do list!

What are the qualifications for providers on your platform?

Every single doula, newborn care specialist, and provider at National Baby Co. has been personally vetted and interviewed by owners, Chelsea & Lauren. When screening each provider we verify formal training and/or certification in their field, conduct a thorough background check, review personal & professional references, confirm CPR + First Aid certification, receive a copy of their personal liability insurance for our files and conduct a face-to-face interview.

Trust that when you receive a match through National Baby Co. that you’ll be connecting with a top notch professional and receiving the most compassionate care through pregnancy, birth & postpartum.

What areas do you serve?

We have doulas and newborn care specialists all over the United States. From Southern California to Detroit to Austin to Orlando, we have a match for you! While we don't currently have members in every city or state, our network is constantly expanding and we are always recruiting new people to add to our team. If we don't currently have a match in your area we can search for & recruit qualified doulas or specialists on your behalf to meet your needs. Reach out today and our maternity concierge will find you a wonderful pre-screened doula or newborn care specialist!

How much does your matching service cost?

Our matching & referral service is completely free to new and expecting parents! When you are ready to find a doula, newborn care specialist or lacatiion consultant, our maternity concierge will provide you with your custom matches within the communicated time. All payments of birth and/or postpartum doula, sleep consulting and additional services are reserved directly through the individual providers. **If we do not have matches available in your area, recruitment and vetting is available for a fee. **

Newborn Care

How long is a typical visit with a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist?

A daytime visit typically ranges between 4 and 8 hours, while an overnight visit is usually between 8 and 12 hours. Many families also choose 24 hour live-in care where 1 or 2 providers work together to provide around the clock newborn support. Please note there will likely be a minimum visit length for both daytime and overnight care. Each postpartum doula or newborn care specialist is unique in what they offer so please share your schedule preferences with us and we'll match you with a provider that best meets your needs.

How far in advance should I hire a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist?

Our team typically books up 3-6 months in advance, so we highly recommend beginning your search as soon as possible so you have access to the most options! The most experienced and sought after members book up even sooner, so don't delay.

What is the turnaround time for being matched to a postpartum doula ore newborn care specialist?

If your baby has already arrived, we aim to match you as soon as possible. This turnaround is often within 48 hours or less. If you are still awaiting baby's arrival, we aim to match you within 3 business days.

Can I choose my doula or newborn care specialist?

Absolutely! Our maternity concierges provide you with 1-3 matches based on availabiilty, your location, due date, budget and needs. You will have an opportunity to review their profiles before deciding who you'd like to interview. You can interview each of them to find the best fit for your family.

How much does a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist cost?

The postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists on our platform have a wide variety of pricing based on their skill set, experience and depth of knowledge. We factor in your ideal budget when matching you with postpartum support. On average can expect postpartum services to range from $30-75/hr. Additional fees may apply for multiples, holidays, and travel.

What is provided during an overnight visit?

While each newborn care specialist and postpartum doula provide a slightly different style of care and individual services, you can expect some or all of the following to be offered during an overnight visit:

Helping with bedtime routine
Supporting nighttime nursing sessions
Taking over bottle feeds
Changing diapers and burping baby
Calming and soothing baby to sleep
Sleep shaping and help creating a structured nighttime routine
Sanitizing bottles & breast pump parts
Help making a light breakfast
Caring for baby while you sleep, spend time with your partner, etc.

What is provided during a daytime visit?

While each provider is unique in what they offer, you can expect some or all of the following to be offered during a daytime visit:

Teaching baby care basics (swaddling, bathing, diapering)
Postpartum recovery support
Assistance creating family rhythms
Helping with diaper changes, burping and feeding
Teaching calming techniques
Light meal preparation for family
Tidying of house including baby laundry & nursery organization
Errands such as grocery or Target runs
Care for baby while you sleep, shower or relax
Emotional support of your unique parenting expierence
Help with baby so you can attend to siblings as needed
Newborn nap assistance and sleep shaping
Sone providers offer extended cooking & meal prep services
Some providers offer belly binding services, placenta encapsulation and herbal support for an additional fee.

Birth Doula

What is included in Birth Doula Support?

Each member of our matching service offer a slightly different style of care and personal touch. With a birth doula, you'll receive emotional, physical and educational support throughout your pregnancy, labor and early postpartum. Most doulas include 1-3 prenatal meetings in their birth packages which focus on building a relationship, navigating your plans for birth, and engaging in confidence boosting activities to prepare you for your baby's arrival. In-person or virtual labor support at your home or hospital is also provided, along with continued support immediately after your baby arrives to help facilate bonding. Many birth doulas include 2-4 additional weeks of postpartum phone and email support as well.

Can I request a doula specializing in Hypnobabies, Homebirth or VBAC?

Yes, you can! Our matching service exists to connect you to your ideal doula that meets all of your preferences. We've taken care of the vetting process and know the experience level, sub specialties and niche offerings of each of the birth doulas on our team. When filling out your inquiry form, please mention any specific requests and specialities that we can take into account when matching you with a birth doula.

Are you covered by insurance?

Some of our doulas are contracted with various insurance companies. Please note what insurance you have in your inquiry form and we'll do our best to find someone within our network who is contracted. If you have Carrot Fertility, we have many doulas who have been approved and many more who would qualify for coverage. Many clients have also been successful in utilizing HSA/FSA funds to cover their doula fees. We recommend you speak to your insurance company directly to find out the necessary steps to get your doula's fees covered or reimbursed.

How much does a birth doula cost?

The cost of birth services varies based on the doulas skill set, experience, sub specialties, and specific offerings. We are able to match you to a doula factoring in your ideal budget. You can expect birth doula services to range from $1100-$4,500. Additional specifics can be found on our inquiry form.

Do you offer virtual birth support?

Yes, many doulas on our team provide virtual doula support, which is easily accessible for families across the world! You can learn more about Virtual Doula support here. Just let us know that you're wanting virtual support and we will match you with a doula offering that service.

Sleep Consulting

When can I start the sleep training process?

4-6 months is a popular time to start sleep training. That said, it’s never too early or too late to start implementing good sleep habits! If your baby is younger than 12 weeks we have some questions to determine if it's an appropriate time to start a sleep training or sleep shaping program. You can also talk to your pediatrician about the optimal time based on your baby's developmental leaps & progress.

What about sleep conditioning from birth?

Many of our newborn care specialists and doulas have additional training and certifications in creating healthy sleep habits from the start. This typically involves contracts of 4-6 months to establish a routine and rhythm that works for your family and your babies. Gentle sleep shaping from the beginning is possible with the right kind of support.

Are we talking about cry it out?

This is a common misconception about sleep training or sleep conditioning - that all methods are "cry it out" methods. The sleep consultants on our team offer a variety of approaches to helping your baby or toddler get more peaceful sleep. You and your sleep consultant work together to the best sleep decisions for your child. That said, change is always hard, so some tears are to be expected but sleep consultants do their best to minimize them!

Blogs and books often give solutions for that one-size-fits-all approach, but your child is unique which is why your sleep consultant desires to customize everything for your baby or toddler. Once you begin working with your sleep consultant or sleep trainer, they will be able to provide customized resources for you.

Is sleep consulting done virtually or in person?

That is up to you! The sleep specialists on our team offer a variety of options. Virtual consulting is typically done via Zoom or Facetime calls and includes text/phone support. Live-In sleep training allows for in-person customization and support. When filling out your inquiry form, let us know your preferences and we'll match you with a specialist who meets those needs.

What can we expect with the live-in sleep training?

If live-in sleep support sounds like a dream, we can match you with someone in your region as we have sleep trainers around the United States who come to you for live-in support. You can expect to provide your sleep trainer a place to rest comfortably (guest room or couch) and space in your fridge for her to bring her own food. Do not worry about “hosting” or “entertaining” your sleep trainer! She’s coming to support you and will make herself at home while providing you expert sleep guidance. While in your home she is available to you 24/7.

What can we expect with the virtual sleep consulting?

Virtual sleep support varies based on the provider you choose. Often times it includes an in-depth intake call which addresses your baby or toddlers sleep struggles and assess your goals. From there your sleep consultant can create a custom sleep plan and will provide virtual phone, email, or video support to help you impliment the changes you've agreed upon.

What about sleep shaping or gentle sleep training?

Gentle sleep training or "sleep shaping" helps encourage healthy sleep hygeine from the very start! With this type of support your newborn care specialist or sleep consultant will help you establish realistic expectations for based on the age of your child and works with you over the course of several weeks or months to help your baby sleep through the night and gently establish independent sleep skills.

What is the payment & refund policy for sleep services?

Each sleep consultant sets their own rates, fee schedule and refund policies for their services, however, full payment is often due in order to confirm your sleep program. If you have a Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) sleep training may be reimbursable. Contact your administrator to confirm.

When should I book sleep consulting or sleep training services?

Most sleep trainers only take a limited number of clients each month to ensure the success of each family. Booking in advance ensures availability for your preferred time-frame AND gives you the peace of mind that more sleep is on the way!

What if my child isn't ready yet?

If it isn't quite time or you aren't emotionally ready for this process, there are still ways we can help. First, we can match you with a sleep consultant who can reserve time for you for a future date when you and your baby are 100% ready. Second, we can support you in getting more sleep by finding you a postpartum doula provide overnight care.

What if I have more questions?

We’re here to help! Email us or fill out an inquiry form and we'll be in touch to answer any and all questions you have!

What comes next?

First, fill out our inquiry form. Once received we will work on matching you with a sleep consultant or sleep trainer based on your preferences and sleep support needs. We'll send you your matches within 3 business days and you can begin interviewing candidates.