support. educate. encourage

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We have answers!

We offer San Diego families invaluable support with our highly experienced Doulas. From prenatal and birth support to postpartum overnights, nursery checks and more we thrive on providing growing families with the much needed support that only a Doula can offer. From the moment you sign with us until our last goodbyes, your Nite Owl will be there to answer all of your questions and concerns.

Five women standing outdoors in a grassy field with hills in the background, smiling and looking at each other.

We understand birth timing is unpredictable. Schedules can typically shift to align with your baby’s arrival whenever possible.
We aim for consistency whenever possible. Depending on scheduling and the length of care, families may work with one or a small team of doulas.ome, Doulas are required to remove shoes and wash hands immediately. If requested, we are more than happy to wear a mask while in your home. For more details, please be sure to discuss with Cati during your Free 30 Minute Consultation.
If someone in your home is experiencing a fever or Flu/Cold/Covid like symptoms we ask that you let Cati or your Doula know right away. This may result in a pause of support while we ensure everyone in the home is well.
In order to protect the health of all of our Clients and our Doulas, we require all symptoms be gone for at least 48 hours before resuming support. We may also request proof of negative Covid results from everyone in the home.
Any shifts that are cancelled due to illness will not be billed and may be rescheduled dependent on availabilty.
This is where the rest of our Nite Owls come in. Yay, Team!
If anyone in your Doulas home has a fever or Flu/Cold/Covid like symptoms they will not be permitted to work in your home. If this is the case and your Doula is unable to make a scheduled shift, NIte Owl Doula will attempt to provide a backup or depending on availability, the Client can choose to reschedule the shift.
Before resuming support, your Doula will need to be symptom free for 48 hours and may provide a negative Covid test result if requested.
Scheduling is coordinated by our team in collaboration with your doula(s), with care plans outlined in advance and flexibility built in whenever possible.

The Basics

A birth doula provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support throughout labor and birth. We support you and your partner with comfort measures, reassurance, advocacy, and calm presence — before, during, and after birth
Support begins prenatally with meetings to discuss preferences, hopes, and concerns, and continues through labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.
Not at all. We work alongside your partner and care team. Our role is to support, not replace — helping partners feel confident and involved while complementing medical care.
We support all birth paths. Whether plans change or interventions become necessary, your doula remains a steady, grounding presence focused on helping you feel informed, supported, and respected.

Birth Support

Lactation counseling offers personalized, hands-on guidance with feeding. Support may include latch support, positioning, pumping guidance, bottle feeding, combination feeding, milk supply concerns, and troubleshooting common challenges.
Yes. We support all feeding journeys, including breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, and bottle feeding. Our goal is to help you feel confident and supported — not pressured into a specific approach.
Lactation support can be helpful at many points — in the early days, weeks into feeding, or later if new questions or challenges arise.
Depending on availability, support may be offered in person or virtually. We’ll help determine the best option based on your needs.
Lactation counseling is available to current Nite Owl Doula clients and may be added onto existing birth or postpartum support.

Lactation Counseling

Sleep consulting provides gentle, developmentally appropriate guidance to help families better understand their baby’s sleep and create a plan that feels realistic and supportive for their household.
No. Our approach is responsive, flexible, and family-centered. We focus on education, routines, and realistic expectations rather than strict schedules or one-size-fits-all methods.
Sleep consulting is available for newborns and older infants. Support is always tailored to your baby’s age, temperament, and developmental stage.
Support may include education, schedule guidance, routine building, and ongoing adjustments as your baby grows. We work collaboratively with families to find what feels sustainable and supportive.
Sleep consulting is available as an add-on service for current Nite Owl Doula clients.

Sleep Consulting

Postpartum doulas are individuals trained in assisting families in the postpartum period, generally the three months after birth (known as the fourth trimester). Our job is to integrate this new little person into the family and help the family find a way of balancing itself with an additional member. We provide support, not only to the person who gave birth but to partners, siblings, and other family members. This period of time can come with many unexpected challenges and having someone around to provide support and guidance can be especially useful.
A postpartum doula can assist with any of the following duties:
• Breastfeeding support
• Help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
• Light housekeeping so that mom does not feel so overwhelmed
• Running errands
• Assistance with newborn care such as diapering, bathing, feeding, and comforting
• Light meal preparation
• Baby soothing techniques
• Sibling care
• Referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support, and support groups
Shifts can start as early as 9pm and end no later than 6am. With an 8 hour minimum we ensure you get a good nights rest all while tending to the needs of the little one. As an added bonus, your Doula will leave detailed write up each night of your littles activites along with any tips or tricks to help you along the way.
Please see “A Night in the Life of Your Doula” below for addtional information.
Support varies by family. Some families book a few weeks, while others choose several months of care. We’re happy to help you find a rhythm that feels supportive and sustainable.
Our doulas work closely with families to provide thoughtful, supportive care while following any guidance from your medical team.

Postpartum Support

Sibling support provides loving, attentive care for older children while parents are welcoming a new baby. This can include care during labor, at the hospital or birth center, or during the early postpartum period.
Support typically happens in your home, helping maintain routines and provide familiarity during a big transition.
We support siblings of all ages, from toddlers to school-aged children, with care tailored to each child’s needs and temperament.
Sibling doulas may help with meals, bedtime routines, play, emotional reassurance, and transportation (as agreed upon). Our goal is to keep siblings feeling safe, supported, and connected during this transition.
Yes — sibling support is often added alongside birth or postpartum care to create a smoother, more supported experience for the whole family.
Sibling support is available as part of an active Nite Owl Doula support package.

Sibling Support

sample overnight doula schedule

A Night in the Life of your Doula

10:00pm: Your Doula arrives, says their “Hellos” and promptly removes their shoes,then heads to the nearest sink to wash their hands thoroughly.
10:05pm: Now is the time when you and your Doula can catch up and go over any questions or concerns you may have. This is often the time when we go over swaddling, soothing techniques, feeding questions and much more. Before you head off to bed your Doula will make sure you have everything you need for the night prepped and ready. (Water, snacks, breastfeeding supplies, postpartum supplies, etc.) When you and your partner are ready to head to bed, your Doula will take over care so that you both can get some much deserved rest.
10:30pm: If baby is still awake your Doula will head on into the nursery to get them changed and settled into their first stretch of sleep for the night. Once baby is sleeping and safely tucked away, your Doula will head out to the Kitchen and living areas to do some tidying and start a load of laundry. Your Doula may; wash dishes, wipe down counters, empty/load the dishwasher, straighten up the living areas and ensure all baby related supplies are stocked.
11:30pm: It’s getting close to time for baby to wake for the first feed of the night so your Doula is now settled into the rocking chair in the nursery.
12:00am: As baby begins to stir, your Doula is close by watching and listening for baby to fully wake for their feed.
12:20am: Baby is awake and ready to eat. After a quick diaper change, your Doula will quietly bring baby into your room to Nurse. Your Doula can stay with you during this time or give you some alone time with your little one.
12:50am: Baby is done nursing. After making sure Mom is comfortable and has a full water bottle, baby and Doula will head back to the nursery. Time for one more diaper change before swaddling baby and rocking/soothing them back to sleep.
1:15am: Baby is back to sleep safely in their crib. Your Doula switches around the laundry before heading into the kitchen to unload the clean dishwasher.
1:45am: Doula is back in the nursery taking down some notes about baby's evening so far. This may include; Diaper changes, sleep stretches, feed times, soothing techniques used, age appropriate information and any tips or tricks they think you may find helpful.
2:15am: Your Doula is now ready to rest her eyes a bit while listening to the sounds of baby beginning to wake.

2:45am: Baby is awake and ready to nurse. Your Doula changes baby's diaper and then quietly brings baby in to nurse.
3:15am: The laundry is dry. Your Doula begins folding while baby finishes up nursing.
3:30am: Baby has finished nursing and is ready for another diaper change before going back to sleep.
4:15am: Baby is now back to sleep in their crib. Your Doula finishes folding and putting away the laundry before heading out to the kitchen. They cut up some fruit and veggies and place them in the fridge for easy to grab snacks during the day. Before heading back to the nursery your Doula preps the coffee maker and sets the timer for it to start.
5:00am: Your Doula is back in the nursery. They add some more notes to the notebook and then sit down to rest in the chair while listening for baby to wake.
5:10am: Baby starts stirring
5:25am: Baby is awake and ready to eat. After a diaper change your Doula brings baby to you.
5:30am: Your Doula makes one last run through the nursery, kitchen and living spaces to finish any last minute tasks(i.e. Refill moms water, Take out the trash, empty diaper bin).
5:50am: Your Doula brings in the notebook along with a hot cup of mother’s Milk Tea and gives you a quick update of the night.
6:00am: Your Doula says “Goodbye” for now but is always just a phone call away.