A doula's role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation, and light household tasks. The doula's goal is to facilitate the transition to parenthood by supplying reliable and factual information, as well as hands-on support and reassurance with the family.

The presence of doulas can increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation, can reduce the incidence of postpartum mood disorders, as well as increase new parents’ confidence in caring for the newborn.

Research has shown that new mothers who feel and are supported tend to report less problems with postpartum mental health. The doula can help as a second set of hands so the parents can nap or shower, as well as help around the house and with light meal preparation.

The doula's role is one of non-medical support which includes the practical and psycho-social needs of the family. The doula’s knowledge of the different changes in this period enhances communication both with the family and with support professionals. The doula is also available to make referrals for quality care professionals such as lactation consultants, pediatricians, as well as counselors and support groups when appropriate.

A Newborn Care Specialist usually starts with a family on the day they bring baby home from the hospital or the day of home birth and stays typically for up to 3-4 months to guide and educate new parents and offer hands-on care to the newborn(s) to help establish feeding, routine, and healthy sleep habits. Most often, a Newborn Care Specialist will handle the overnight care so that a new parent can rest and recover from birth or adapt to new parenthood if the baby is adopted or via surrogate. If required, an NCS will offer around-the-clock or daytime support as well.

The term Night Nurse feels very familiar to some, but it is an outdated term, and in most states it is in fact illegal to refer to yourself as a nurse unless you are an RN, LPN or LVN. The correct term to use in the US, as adopted by the International Nanny Association over 12 years ago, is Newborn Care Specialist, also known as an NCS.

A Newborn Care Specialist is explicitly trained in all aspects of newborn care and will have many years of experience with families during the first few months with a newborn. They will be able to help parents feel confident in their care of their precious newborn and will be familiar with common issues such as reflux and have proven solutions and resources to help. A Night Nanny works typically under the direct guidance of the parents, they may or may not have any formal education in the care of newborns, and this is often an add on to their daytime work.

The most significant benefit of hiring a newborn care specialist is sleep! Having peace of mind that a qualified newborn care specialist is handling the overnight hours, having an extra set of hands during bath time and knowing there is additional support should any issues arise, allows new parents to get more and better sleep. Even a nursing parent only has to wake to nurse and can then go right back to sleep while the NCS settles the baby. New parents who have quality postpartum support tend to heal faster (if they have given birth) and have lower rates of postpartum mood disorders. They also can use their awake time to focus on their newborn as the baby laundry, nursery organizing, bottle and pumping parts washing, have been done overnight by the newborn care specialist.