What’s the difference between a postpartum doula and a nanny?

I get asked this a lot: “So… are you kind of like a nanny?”

Short answer: nope. Long answer: it’s a little more nuanced. A postpartum doula and a nanny both care for babies, but the heart of the work—and the way it’s done—is pretty different.

A nanny’s primary role is long-term childcare. They’re usually hired to watch the baby or kids while parents work, run errands, or take time away. Their focus is mainly on the children.

A postpartum doula’s role, on the other hand, is short-term, family-centered support. My focus is on the whole family’s well-being—especially the birthing parent. I’m not there just to take care of the baby. I’m there to help parents recover, rest, learn, and gain confidence in those intense early weeks.

A peek into what I actually do as a postpartum doula:

Just in the past week with a first-time mom, I…

• Burped the baby and held upright to keep all the nutrition down, while mom pumped.

• Gave mom a scalp rub before she drifted into a nap.

• Emptied the diaper trash (because yes, those little things add up!).

• Washed bottles and pump parts.

• Laundered tiny baby clothes and put them away.

• Bathed the baby (while teaching mom how to do it with more confidence).

• Reassured mom that fussiness during diaper changes, spitting up, and even choking during feeds are all normal.

• Explained and practiced tummy time variations and eye-tracking play.

• Talked through different feeding holds and the benefits of them.

• Problem-solved mom’s (totally valid) questions with her. Validated her feelings.

• Processed the birth experience with her.

• Encouraged and affirmed that she was doing a great job, because she was!

• Reminded her to eat a meal, drink water, and simply take a break.

In other words: I’m part baby whisperer, part house fairy, part coach, part big sister, part encourager.

Why this matters

The early postpartum days can feel overwhelming and isolating. My job is to bring calm, comfort, and reassurance into that space. I don’t just care for the baby—I care for you. I step in where needed, answer questions that pop up at 2am, and hold space for all the emotions that come with new parenthood.

The perfect gift

So, grandmas (and aunties, and best friends)… if you’re wondering what to gift your daughter, daughter-in-law, or friend who just had a baby—skip the extra onesie or toy. 💯 Hire her a postpartum doula. She’ll thank you later. 😉

I love this work so much, and I’m always honored to walk alongside families in those tender early weeks.

For many women who’ve spent years building careers they love, motherhood can arrive with both joy and disorientation. After investing so much into your work, you may find yourself surprised by how all-consuming early parenthood is — how much time, energy, and emotional bandwidth it requires. The promise that “you can have it all” often starts to feel more like “you can have it all, but not at the same time.” You probably want to keep investing in the career that you’ve spent so much energy already building. It’s just that doing both - keeping up with your career and being the mom you want to be to your baby - feels almost impossible.

This isn’t about choosing one or the other. Every woman will find their own way. As a postpartum doula, I can help ease the transition for you, as you navigate what’s right for you and your family. I am here to lighten the load, to support you emotionally and practically, and hold the moment with you. As you walk this sacred road.

Contact me if you’d like to learn more about how I can support you postpartum.

Serving Lancaster, Manheim, Lititz, Ephrata, Chester, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and surrounding areas.

Choosing a birth center like Birth Care & Family Health Services in Georgetown, PA offers a warm, home-like environment for your birth experience. But even in such a supportive space, many families choose to have a birth doula by their side—and for good reason.

As a doula, my role complements the care provided by midwives and nurses. While your clinical team focuses on your physical health and safety, I’m there to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support—from early labor through birth and the first golden hour with your baby.

Welcoming a new baby is a beautiful—and sometimes overwhelming—experience. Many families in Lancaster, PA are discovering the benefits of hiring a postpartum doula to help ease the transition into life with a newborn. But what does a postpartum doula really do?