Introducing the National NAPS Registry for Night Doulas

August 20, 2024

When Let Mommy Sleep opened 14 years ago, we solely hired Certified Nursing Assistants, Medical Technicians, Nurses and other clinically licensed professionals. This is because licensed individuals are governed by their state’s Board of Nursing. So in addition to acting as a high-level vetting tool, licensure means accountability. As time went on however, we realized that recruiting needed to include wonderful newborn nannies, infant-room daycare providers, twins experts and postpartum doulas. These caregivers have great experience with baby care, but don’t always have formal training. In 2015 we were awarded a local government contract to teach evidence-based newborn care, and can now introduce the National NAPS Registry for Night Doulas.

What is the National NAPS Registry for Night Doulas?

The NAPS Registry is a public listing of caregivers who have successfully completed a minimum of:

1. Newborn and Postpartum Care class
2. Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Course
3. Breastfeeding Basics class
4. Vaccine attestation
5. Attestation of age and experience
6. CPR/First Aide
7. Current Background Check

Parents and professionals alike can verify experience and academic training by visiting the National NAPS Registry. While Postpartum Doulas certainly care for the newborn and parents, they also typically help families through the day; performing household tasks in addition to care of older children in the home. Postpartum Doulas are included in NAPS, but the Registry focuses on Night Doulas who typically support mothers, parents and the newborn through the night.

The NAPS Curriculum is based on the government-award winning contract Let Mommy Sleep held from 2015-2021 (ending during covid) and is approved and overseen by a third-party Advisory Board of clinicians and subject matter experts in these areas:

• Newborn & Infant Care
• Public Health
• Feeding – Breast and Bottle
• Postpartum Physical Health
• Postpartum Mental Health Support and Resource Connection
• Minimizing SIDS Risk and Safe Sleep Education

What ISN’T the National NAPS Registry for Night Doulas?

The Newborn and Postpartum Support coursework does not include the study of labor and delivery. Therefore this certificate is not appropriate for aspiring labor doulas or those who wish to attend births as professional support staff.

Why did we form the NAPS Registry?

The night nanny, postpartum and newborn care industry is unregulated. In fact, there is no governance or licensure for the care of 4 or fewer children at a time.

The goal of the Newborn and Postpartum Support (NAPS) Certificate is to provide evidence-based education, accountability and verification of education for in-home newborn care providers, postpartum doulas and the families they support. A baseline of study, coupled with transparency is vital in child care. Families can also have peace of mind knowing their newborn and postpartum caregiver has received the most up to date, safest and evidence-based practices. NAPS third-party Advisory Board of subject matter experts continually reviews and approves the NAPS curriculum. Third party validation also ensures credibility or the certification.

Half Off Registration for Newborn Care Specialists

NAPS Registration is 50% off ($149) for those who have taken newborn care specialist classes We value your previous training and experience, but since we can’t verify the specifics of prior courses, all NAPS Registry members are required to complete our evidence-based classes. Please reach out to Let Mommy Sleep to receive a unique promo code. This will allow you to take our classes and join the Registry.

Half Off Registration for Seasoned Postpartum Doulas

Many of you have been working in infant care longer than all these “certifications” and classes have been around. Taking the NAPS bundle of classes is required for everyone to be listed on the national Registry. But if you have 5 or more years of experience caring for newborns, infants and twins, the course is 1/2 off for you. Contact us for your 1/2 off promo code. If this is a financial hardship for you, please contact us anyway. We will do our best to make accommodations.