The ABCs of Safe Sleep, and How Our Doulas Follow Them
The ABCs of safe sleep that every Mother's Helpers doula follows: Alone, Back, Crib, and what that looks like during an overnight shift.
By Karen, Certified Postpartum Doula
One of the most common questions families ask before an overnight shift is how their baby will sleep. Here’s what we do.
A is for Alone
Your baby should not have pillows, stuffed animals or blankets in their overnight or unmonitored sleep space.
B is for Back
Your baby should lie flat on their back.
C is for Crib
Your baby should sleep in a bassinet, crib or other firm, flat surface. No swings, loungers or car seats for overnight sleep or when your baby is unmonitored.
What that looks like overnight
Your doula arrives in the evening and takes the night. After each feed, your doula burps, changes and settles your baby, then puts them back down following the ABCs. Gentle routines through the night set your baby up for better sleep.
You wake up to notes on how the night went: feeds, diapers and sleep.
When you’re on your own
We encourage you to follow the ABCs any time your baby is unsupervised, during the day and at night. Ask your doula anything about your baby’s sleep space. That’s what we’re there for.
What it doesn’t include
A postpartum doula doesn’t give medical advice. If something looks wrong, your doula will tell you and point you to your provider.
Later on: sleep consulting
For babies and children after 6 months old, our sleep consulting helps the whole family get a good night’s rest, in person or virtually. Our overnight postpartum care can set your baby up for less sleep coaching later. More about sleep consulting.
Cost
Overnight postpartum care is $55 to $75 an hour, with an 8 hour minimum and up to 12 hours. An 8 hour night is $440 to $600. What happens during an overnight shift.
Call 508-881-2200, text 508-766-0100, or tell us your due date or your baby’s age.