What is a NICU Doula?
Navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of the most challenging experiences a family can face. It’s a time filled with uncertainty, emotional highs and lows, and an overwhelming amount of information. That’s where a NICU Doula steps in—a trained, non-medical professional who provides families with the emotional, physical, and logistical support they need during this journey.
Whether supporting families before, during, or after a NICU stay, NICU Doulas are here to create an empowered and healing environment where families can focus on what matters most: their baby.
What Does a NICU Doula Do?
A NICU Doula’s role is unique and versatile, adapting to the needs of each family. Here’s an overview of what they do—and don’t do—to help families thrive:
A NICU Doula DOES:
Provide emotional support through trauma-informed care, helping families navigate the complexities of NICU life.
Empower families with evidence-based resources and tools to care for their baby confidently.
Facilitate bonding opportunities like skin-to-skin contact and family-centered care practices.
Support daily life needs, such as helping parents with light housekeeping, meal preparation, or sibling care, so they can focus on their baby.
Guide families through the NICU transition to home, assisting with setting up systems for feeding, pumping, and caregiving routines.
Provide post-NICU care, including basic baby care (feeding, diapering, bathing) and practical tips for sleep, self-care, and stress management.
A NICU Doula DOES NOT:
Provide medical care or administer medications.
Offer medical advice or question recommendations from the medical team.
Replace the role of NICU nurses, lactation consultants, or other clinical specialists.
Act as a therapist but can connect families to mental health professionals and resources.
Ultimately, a NICU Doula works to ensure families feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their NICU journey and beyond.
Supporting Families After the NICU
While some NICU Doulas work directly with families in the hospital, most focus on the transition from the NICU to home. This period can be particularly overwhelming as families adjust to life without 24/7 medical monitoring. A NICU Doula can bridge that gap by providing emotional support, hands-on care, and education to help families navigate this new chapter with confidence.
Why I Became a NICU Doula
After over a decade as a Level IV NICU nurse and experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of my second child, I saw firsthand how hard it is to navigate the postpartum journey—even with my years of professional experience. For NICU families, it’s an even more difficult challenge.
NICU parents go from round-the-clock medical care to being fully in charge of their baby, often with limited guidance or support. The lack of specialized care and continuity for these families left me determined to create a solution.
Becoming a NICU Doula has allowed me to combine my nursing expertise with my passion for empowering families in a way that aligns with my values and lifestyle. Supporting families as a NICU Doula has been incredibly rewarding—helping parents grow in confidence, advocate for their babies, and find moments of joy and healing despite the challenges.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re a doula, newborn care specialist, or support professional looking to expand your NICU support skills, Navigating the NICU for Doulas is a great starting point.
If you’re ready to dive deeper and become a certified NICU Doula, join the waitlist for the NICU Doula Certification Program. This 10-week live course combines evidence-based guidance, trauma-informed care strategies, and business-building foundations to prepare you for a fulfilling career supporting NICU families. With lifetime access to updates, interactive live calls, case studies, and an incredible community of like-minded professionals, you’ll have everything you need to succeed.
Or, if you’re curious about supporting NICU families in meaningful ways, join my next free workshop, From Crisis to Comfort: How Doulas Can Change the NICU Experience.
