Night Doula Essentials

January 19, 2025

As a night doula or night nurse, you’re a lifeline for families navigating the challenges of newborn care. Whether you’re assisting new parents with feeding schedules, soothing techniques, or postpartum recovery, having the right tools at your fingertips is essential for providing exceptional support. That’s why we’ve curated this list of Night Doula Essentials —the must-have items to keep you prepared, organized, and ready to handle any situation during overnight shifts. You can find all of these items on our Amazon storefront and feel good in your purchase as 100% of the proceeds from our Amazon links support non-profit Mission Sleep.

Night Doula Essentials – What Kind of Bag?

When deciding what to pack in your bag for an overnight, we should start with the bag itself! Your bag is your command center. A spacious, multi-compartment bag keeps supplies organized and easy to access during the night. This durable tote is a great choice because it can hold your laptop, snacks, first aid kit and more. If you prefer a backpack or other style, the 3 choices below all used and loved by Let Mommy Sleep staff.

Routine Nightshift Items: For Baby and for You

• First Aide Kit: A small first aid kit is always a good idea and while we of course always think of baby’s well being first, don’t forget that you might need a band-aid, lip balm or an aspirin for yourself overnight. We also always suggest a bulb syringe in your first aide bag just in case the newborn in your care is a little congested. They are small and inexpensive and may not be readily on-hand in the home overnight.
• Extra Long Phone Charger: Ensure your phone is always ready for emergencies or client communication. Don’t expect the family to have chargers available with so many different types of phones and models out there! And an extra long charger will ensure you can use your phone if holding the newborn.
• Skidded Socks or Slippers: These are non-negotiable at Let Mommy Sleep. First, shoes should always be removed upon entering the family home because we don’t want to bring bacteria and germs from outside. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to these germs. Second, skidded footwear minimizes the risk of slipping -especially when holding babies.

More of our Favorite Night Doula Essentials

• Notebooks: While apps get the job done, we love a good notebook -especially when caring for newborn twins. Taking notes on feeding times, diaper changes, or observations is vital for seamless communication with parents. While apps may be preferred by parents, a notebook and pen in addition to digital documentation can include more nuanced, personalized details such as notes on a baby’s mood, minor changes in behavior. It also allows the night nurse to communicate observations with parents in a more intimate, handwritten way, which can feel more personal and meaningful and can be a future keepsake.
• Hand Sanitizer & Wipes: Maintaining hygiene is critical when caring for newborns. Handwashing is always the best option but if you can’t run to a sink, have a spray sanitizer available. Travel-sized disinfecting wipes also keep your work areas sanitized between the times you have to complete a deep- cleaning.
• Blue Light Blocking Screens: Blue light plays a significant role in regulating the body’s internal clock and can suppress our natural sleep hormone, melatonin. For babies the effects can be even stronger. Screens which block blue light emission can be placed on your device screen so that the blue light does not effect the infant’s sleep.

See more of our postpartum favorites, night nanny gear and baby registries on Amazon!