Overnight Doula Cost: What You Can Expect to Pay

Most parents know that sleep deprivation naturally comes with the newborn territory. With late-night feedings, sleep regressions, unexpected fussiness, and never-ending schedule changes, the exhaustion is bound to hit—especially within the first few weeks. But, thankfully, that’s where overnight doulas step in to save the day… or night!

Overnight doulas are trained professionals providing helpful services to parents looking for (and, let’s admit it, needing) relief with their newborn care. And not only that, but with an overnight doula, you can also expect to receive even more help, like support with your own postpartum healing, setting up systems, and light housekeeping.

Sounds like a sleep-deprived parent’s dream? Then you might be wondering how much an overnight doula costs. We’ve compiled this guide as a resource so you can get a general idea of what you can expect to pay for a night time doula. Plus, you’ll also find some additional expert insight into how you can receive financial support.

How Much Does an Overnight Doula Cost?

The thought of having newborn help throughout the night might’ve perked up your tired eyes. But now you might be asking yourself, “How much does an overnight doula actually cost?”

To be honest, the exact cost of overnight doulas will vary (prices usually fall between $30 to $80 an hour), depending on several factors like location, your doula’s years of experience, if they will need to travel, and more. But, on average, you can expect to pay around $45 an hour for a nighttime doula.

“Overnight doulas stay between 8 and 12 hours depending on their contract and the needs of the family,” says Kristin Revere, newborn care specialist, author, and owner of Gold Coast Doulas in West Michigan. “At Gold Coast, our minimum shift is eight hours long and is typically 10 pm to 6 am.”

If the cost of an overnight doula seems out of your budget, don’t worry just yet. You might be able to find some flexibility with your doula team by establishing a contract with hours that align more with your budget. Nighttime doulas do not have to be hired to work every single night (though they can), but just a few nights a week instead, if this works better with your budget and needs.

Financial Help for Hiring an Overnight Doula

Babies already come with expenses of their own—but we probably don’t need to tell you that. From clothing and diapers to medical invoices and possibly formula, the last thing you want is another bill. But the good news is that with hiring an overnight doula, you may be able to receive financial assistance from a variety of sources.

That’s right—before you officially hire a postpartum care team, check with these sources to see if you’re eligible for financial help with overnight postpartum doula costs. This way, you might not need to completely pay out of pocket.

• Employer Benefits. First, it’s definitely possible that your employer might cover some of the overnight doula cost through your benefits. “General insurance does not currently cover doulas, but more companies are beginning to add birth and postpartum doula services to their maternity benefits,” says Kristin. Always check in with your employment representative before ruling out job-specific help.
• HSA/FSA. Another way you can check for overnight doula cost coverage is with your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA). But keep in mind that these can come with some stipulations. The key to getting this coverage is for your doula to be considered as part of your required medical care and not an additional service you’re seeking.
• Fertility & Postpartum Benefits Companies. More modern third-party programs like CARROT Fertility, Maven, and Progyny all help parents get the relief (and sleep) they need with postpartum care service plans. Dive into their websites to see if you qualify for support.
• Gift Registries. Lastly, don’t overlook the power of your baby registry to help cover the cost of overnight postpartum doula care. Our team at Gold Coast loves recommending BeHerVillage—a fantastic registry platform that lets parents request funds for a variety of valuable services, including overnight doula care.

How To Find a Night Time Doula

By now, you’re probably ready to catch up on Zzz’s. Luckily, finding a nighttime doula in your area is easier than you think. All you need to do is a quick online search for overnight doulas in your specific location. For example, if you’re in West Michigan, Gold Coast Doulas is an award-winning doula agency within reach, ready to assist you. Or, if you’re outside this service area, you can always ask your healthcare provider if they know of any programs.

But while cost is certainly a determining factor in who you hire to care for your little one, it’s not the only factor to consider. You should also hire a doula you trust and feel comfortable with. “It’s important to look at both personality and experience when hiring a doula,” adds Kristin. Platforms like DoulaMatch help you find reputable doulas in your area with aligned criteria like availability dates, travel radius, and more.

Bottom line? If $45 an hour is within your budget or you can lock in some financial help with the resources listed above, hiring an overnight postpartum doula can be a game-changer. These experts can help you with more than just nighttime newborn care. They can also support your family with light housework and laundry, provide emotional support, help with your postpartum healing, and more.

If you’re in the West Michigan area, our doulas are ready to help with our in-person services. If you’re somewhere else in the world, you can view our virtual classes and coaching programs for even more support.