How Much Does a Postpartum Doula Cost in the Boston Area?
What Mother's Helpers charges for daytime and overnight postpartum care, prenatal, lactation and sleep support, what the hourly rate covers, and how Carrot, Maven, Progyny, HSA and FSA apply.
By Karen, Certified Postpartum Doula
It depends on the kind of help you need and how long you need it. Here are our actual numbers.
What we charge
| Service | Rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime postpartum care | $55 to $75 an hour | 4 hours |
| Overnight postpartum care | $55 to $75 an hour | 8 hours, up to 12 |
| Prenatal support | $50 an hour | In person or virtual |
| Lactation support | $60 an hour | In person or virtual |
| Sleep consulting | $55 to $75 an hour | Babies and children after 6 months |
| Virtual support | $50 an hour | By video, anywhere |
No extra fees, though a parking spot is needed.
What a shift costs
The hourly rate times the shift length:
| Shift | Total |
|---|---|
| 4 hour daytime shift | $220 to $300 |
| 8 hour overnight shift | $440 to $600 |
| 12 hour overnight shift | $660 to $900 |
Overnight packages
| Package | Use within | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12 overnights, 9 hours each | the first 6 weeks | $6,500 |
| 25 overnights, 9 hours each | the first 6 weeks | $13,000 |
| 50 overnights, 8 hours each | the first 12 weeks | $23,000 |
Custom packages available, from 1 night to every night.
Sleep training plans
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 3 nights, 9 hours each | $2,100 |
| 4 nights, 9 hours each | $2,600 |
| 5 nights, 9 hours each | $3,100 |
All sleep packages come with a comprehensive written sleep plan and 2 weeks of text support with the sleep consultant you worked with. Bedtime hours can be added to the beginning of any night at $50 an hour. Additional nights can be added at $60 an hour, 8 hour minimum. See all our prices and packages.
Is a night nurse the same as an overnight doula, and what does it cost?
Many families search for a night nurse in Boston when they want someone to care for their newborn overnight. With us, that’s overnight postpartum care from a certified postpartum doula: $55 to $75 an hour, $440 to $600 for an 8 hour night and up to $900 for 12 hours. There are no extra fees. Your doula handles feeds, settling, bottles and pump parts, and leaves you notes in the morning. A postpartum doula doesn’t give medical advice, but has many infant tips and tricks to share! See postpartum doula vs. night nurse and our night doulas.
How much does a night doula cost?
A night doula with us is $55 to $75 an hour, with an 8 hour minimum and up to 12 hours. An 8 hour night is $440 to $600, and a 12 hour night is $660 to $900. There are no extra fees, though a parking spot is needed.
How does an overnight doula compare with a night nanny or baby nurse?
All of them can care for your baby overnight. With us, you get a certified postpartum doula you choose, and you pay by the hour for the shift, with no extra fees. Your doula takes the night and has many infant tips and tricks to share. A postpartum doula doesn’t give medical advice, so if you need a licensed nurse, tell us when you call. Carrot, Maven, Progyny, HSA and FSA can all apply to our care.
What the hourly rate covers
Families are often surprised by how much fits into a shift.
During a daytime shift, your doula takes care of the baby and teaches you as they go. They clean bottles and pump parts, store milk, do the baby’s laundry, help with meal prep, and help with feeding, soothing and good sleep hygiene. They also look after you. That can mean a shower, a real meal, an hour with your older child, or just someone to talk to.
During an overnight shift, your doula takes the night. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby is brought to you for feeds and settled back to sleep afterward. If you’re bottle feeding, your doula handles the feeds so you don’t have to wake up. Bottles and pump parts get washed, milk gets stored, and you wake up to notes on how the night went.
What’s included in an overnight shift
- Your baby brought to you for feeds, then burped, changed and settled (if you’re breastfeeding)
- Feeds handled so you can sleep (if you’re bottle feeding or pumping)
- Bottles and pump parts washed, milk stored
- Baby laundry
- Notes on feeds, diapers and sleep in the morning
- 8 to 12 hours, with the doula you choose
Why there are minimums
Daytime shifts have a 4 hour minimum and overnight shifts have an 8 hour minimum. Those are the shortest shift we book. They don’t mean you have to book a set number of days or nights.
Carrot, Maven and Progyny
Many families don’t know they have this benefit, so it’s worth ten minutes to check.
We are an accepted provider for Carrot, Maven and Progyny. Coverage differs by employer and plan, so start with both your and your partner’s benefits offices. Find out which benefit you have and how much postpartum coverage it includes. Then tell us when you call, and we’ll help you get the most out of it.
HSA, FSA and insurance
Postpartum care is reimbursable with an HSA or FSA. Some health insurance plans cover postpartum doula care. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can give you a receipt to submit if you have coverage.
How much help do families book?
That depends on your family, your budget and your dates. Some families want overnights while they recover. Others want a few daytime shifts a week so they can rest, shower and get all the tips and tricks! Call us and we’ll work out what makes sense for you.
Call 508-881-2200, text 508-766-0100, or send us a note.