Introducing NICU Doula Academy
Comprehensive Training for Supporting Families in the NICU and Beyond
A 10-week certification program equipping doulas and support professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to guide NICU families—before, during, and after the NICU.
You know NICU families need more support—but how do you provide it?
The NICU is Overwhelming
Parents face medical uncertainty, emotional distress, and a steep learning curve, all while trying to bond with their fragile newborn. You know NICU families deserve more support—but figuring out how to provide it can feel unclear.
Maybe you’re a NICU nurse...
who loves working with fragile babies and their families but wants to transition away from the intensity of bedside care while still making a meaningful impact.
Maybe you’re a NICU parent...
who has been through the experience firsthand and wants to give back—but you also want to expand your knowledge beyond your own journey to support all kinds of NICU families.
Maybe you’re A DOULA, NEWBORN CARE SPECIALIST...
or other Support Professional who wants a deep understanding of the NICU so you can confidently guide your clients when they face a high-risk pregnancy, preterm birth, or unexpected NICU stay.
No matter your background, NICU Doula Academy equips you with…
The training, confidence, and structured framework to provide evidence-based, trauma-informed support—before, during, and after the NICU.
That’s exactly why I created NICU Doula Academy—so you can confidently step into this crucial role, bridge the gap in NICU support, and change the narrative for NICU families.
Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for the next live cohort!
Who is NICU Doula Academy for?
A birth or postpartum doula who wants to guide clients facing high-risk pregnancies, preterm birth, or unexpected NICU stays.
A newborn care professional supporting families after discharge who wants to understand feeding, development, and emotional needs.
A NICU nurse or former NICU parent who wants to use your experience to advocate and provide hands-on support.
This program is designed for doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation professionals, and support providers who want to expand their skills and confidently care for NICU families.
you're a great fit if you are:
Committed to evidence-based, trauma-informed care and eager to work collaboratively with medical teams while empowering families.
Looking for a structured, supportive community that will help you put your learning into practice and build confidence in your role.
If you've ever wished you had a framework for supporting NICU families—or felt like there was a missing piece in your doula training—this is it.
What makes this program unique?
Approved for 30+ Continuing Education (CE) Credits
This program is approved through the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) for 30 hours of nursing contact hours. These credits can be used by doulas for certification renewal and by nurses and other healthcare professionals for licensure requirements. Check with your credentialing body to confirm eligibility.
Lifetime Access & Certification Eligibility
All recordings and materials will be available indefinitely, so you can revisit them anytime. Certification eligibility opens August 2025 during the second cohort launch.
What to Expect in the Next NICU Doula Academy Cohort
(Limited to a small group for deep connection and support)
• Intimate learning environment with limited spots to encourage collaboration, reflection, and meaningful discussion
• Community-centered experience with weekly live calls, case studies, and open group dialogue
• Connection with like-minded professionals who are committed to shaping the future of NICU care
• Opportunities for networking and peer support as you grow your skills and confidence as a NICU-informed doula
• Personalized feedback and access to expert guidance throughout the 10-week program
Live, Interactive Learning & Community Support
Each week includes:
• A 90-minute live session (45 min teaching + 45 min case studies, breakout discussions & Q&A)
• 2-3 short video lessons covering foundational NICU doula knowledge
• A private chat group to network and receive ongoing support
• Printable workbooks & guides for real-world application
Next Live Cohort Begins August 2025
Weekly Calls: Tuesdays from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Missed a session? All calls will be recorded and available indefinitely.
Week-by-Week Curriculum Overview
The NICU Doula Academy follows the NICU N.E.S.T. Framework—a holistic model designed to support families across the NICU journey:
• Nutrition & Feeding (N) – Supporting feeding and growth challenges.
• Emergencies & Health (E) – Advocacy and medical collaboration.
• Support (S) – Emotional and physical postpartum care.
• Translate to Home (T) – Empowered parenting and home transitions.
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Discover what makes a NICU doula different, how we bridge the gaps in care, and why families need this crucial support.
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Learn how to help parents prepare for the unexpected, navigate high-risk pregnancies, and show up as a steady, informed presence during a NICU birth.
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We’re breaking down the NICU—common equipment, procedures, diagnoses, and how to help families feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.
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Tiny but mighty! This week, we’re covering preemie development, milestones, and what makes caring for these little fighters so unique.
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The NICU journey is more than medical—learn how to support healing, process trauma, and create space for emotional recovery.
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Going home from the NICU isn’t the finish line—it’s a whole new beginning. We’ll cover what families need to make the transition as smooth as possible.
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From breastfeeding and bottles to feeding tubes and fortifiers, get the inside scoop on how to support parents through their NICU baby’s feeding journey.
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NICU parents don’t just need support in the hospital—learn how to help them adjust, find resources, and thrive beyond discharge.
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Time to bring your knowledge into the world! We’ll talk about setting up your NICU doula practice, finding clients, and making an impact.
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You did it! In this final week, we’ll review, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate as you step into your role as a NICU doula.
Save your spot
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Save your spot JOIN THE WAITLIST
Join the Waitlist for my 10-Week NICU Doula Academy program!
Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for the next live cohort!
*additional discount for previous Navigating the NICU for Doula students - see email for details
Join THE WAITLIST
Join THE WAITLIST
Ready to Become a Certified NICU Doula?
My next live cohort begins August 2025!
Click below to join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for the next live cohort!
Have questions? Email me at hello@thenicutranslator.com or check out the FAQs below!
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To earn NICU Doula Certification, participants must complete the following:
✔️ Training Completion: Attend or complete all live and recorded training sessions.
✔️ Written Exam: Pass an open-book exam to demonstrate comprehension of course materials.
✔️ Client Feedback: Submit five (5) letters of support from NICU families served, detailing the impact of your care and professionalism.
✔️ Reading Assignments: Submit three (3) book summaries from the required reading list, highlighting key takeaways and their application to NICU support.
✔️ CPR Certification: Provide proof of current infant and adult CPR certification from a recognized organization (e.g., American Red Cross or AHA).
✔️ Certification Fee: Pay the certification fee to finalize and process credentials (fee waived for the beta cohort)
✔️ Ongoing Education & Renewal: Complete four (4) hours of Continuing Education (CE) related to NICU care or doula work every three (3) years and submit a renewal payment at the time of recertification.📌 Certification eligibility opens in Summer 2025 with the second cohort launch. As a beta cohort participant, you will have the option to retake the program at no additional cost or apply for certification at that time.
Graduates who complete certification will receive a NICU Doula Certificate, credentials to list in their professional practice, and inclusion in The NICU Doula Directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have already taken Navigating the NICU for Doulas, you will find some overlap in topics (which is why NTN participants receive a special discount). However, NICU Doula Academy goes much deeper, allowing ample time for discussions, case studies, and peer-to-peer support. This program also includes:
✅ A structured 10-week curriculum that builds on foundational knowledge
✅ Live coaching calls, business foundations, and professional development
✅ A private community for ongoing support and collaboration
✅ Continuing education credits (pending approval) and certification eligibilityIf you have not taken Navigating the NICU for Doulas, here’s how they compare:
Navigating the NICU for Doulas is a shorter, introductory-level training designed to provide birth and postpartum doulas with an essential understanding of NICU basics so they can better support their clients.
NICU Doula Academy is a comprehensive, certification-based training program designed to fully prepare you for working with NICU families in various capacities—including prenatal education, birth, NICU support, and home transitions.
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No, you do not need to be a certified doula to take this training. You can start serving NICU families right away.
NICU doulas work in a variety of settings, including:
Prenatal education for families expecting a high-risk birth
Birth support for NICU-bound babies
In-NICU guidance to help families navigate medical complexities
Transition-to-home assistance for preemies and medically fragile infants
While some NICU doulas may choose to pursue additional birth or postpartum doula certifications, it is not required to begin supporting families.
💡 Exciting news! I am currently working on partnerships with accredited birth and postpartum training programs to offer dual certification opportunities at an exclusive discount for NICU Doula Academy beta cohort participants. Stay tuned!
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The role of a NICU doula is fundamentally different from that of a medical professional. While your background as a NICU nurse or healthcare provider gives you a phenomenal foundation, this program will help you transition your knowledge into the doula role, where the focus is on non-medical, family-centered support outside the hospital setting.
Through NICU Doula Academy, you will:
✅ Learn how to support families away from the bedside while staying within your scope as a doula
✅ Develop a trauma-informed approach to working with NICU families in a non-medical, holistic capacity
✅ Gain business foundations for launching or expanding your NICU doula practice
✅ Earn 30+ hours of NICU-specific continuing education credits (pending approval from the American Holistic Nurses Association) that can be used toward nursing license renewalIf you love supporting NICU families but want a flexible, sustainable way to do it without the challenges of bedside nursing, this program will give you the skills, structure, and certification to serve families in a whole new way.
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Yes! This program is designed to fit into busy lives and varying schedules.
Content is released week by week, with a mix of pre-recorded videos and live sessions.
Live calls are encouraged but not required—all sessions will be recorded and available for you to watch at your convenience.
At the end of the program, you will earn 30 continuing education hours (pending AHNA approval) and be considered a “Professionally-Trained NICU Doula.”
You can pursue certification at your own pace to become a fully Certified NICU Doula.
Whether you are working full-time, caring for your own family, or balancing multiple commitments, you will be able to engage with the material on your schedule while still getting the full benefits of the program.
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As a Certified NICU Doula, you can work in various settings to support families before, during, and after a NICU stay. Graduates of NICU Doula Academy can go on to:
Offer private NICU doula services (prenatal education, NICU support, home transitions)
Integrate NICU-specific support into an existing birth or postpartum doula business
Work with hospitals, nonprofits, and support organizations to assist NICU families
Support medically complex newborns in home settings as newborn care specialists, nannies, or caregivers
Advocate for NICU families through education, consulting, and parent mentorship
This certification sets you apart as a trained professional in an emerging field, giving you a unique and in-demand skill set to help families during a critical time.
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Yes! NICU Doula Academy is designed to be flexible and self-paced:
All lessons and live calls are recorded so you can catch up when it works for you.
You will have lifetime access to course materials, meaning you can revisit any content at any time.
Certification is optional and can be pursued at your own pace.
If you ever need additional support, the community chat and live Q&A sessions will be there to help!
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This is a fully virtual program! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Live calls are held weekly on Zoom (Tuesdays, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST)
Pre-recorded lessons are available to watch on your own schedule
A private online community will be available for networking and support
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After completing NICU Doula Academy, you will:
Receive a certificate of training, designating you as a Professionally-Trained NICU Doula
Be eligible for 30+ continuing education hours (pending AHNA approval)
Have the option to apply for certification in Summer 2025
Gain access to The NICU Doula Directory (once certified) to connect with families and professionals
Be invited to ongoing alumni networking and professional development opportunities
This program is not just a training—it’s the beginning of your journey as a trusted NICU support professional!
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Yes! The principles of NICU family support, trauma-informed care, and transition guidance apply globally.
However, some medical guidelines, discharge protocols, and insurance systems may differ depending on where you live. If you are outside the U.S., you may want to research how NICU care is structured in your country and how a NICU doula role could fit into your local healthcare system.
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📌 Beta Cohort Pricing:
💰 $800 (one-time payment)
💳 Payment Plan: 3 payments of $267📌 Special Pricing for Past Navigating the NICU for Doulas Participants:
💰 $650 (one-time payment)
💳 Payment Plan: 3 payments of $217📌 Future Pricing (2025 and beyond):
💰 $1195
💳 Payment Plan: 3 payments of $398💡 Pay in full and receive a FREE 1:1 coaching call with Mary!
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I’d love to answer them! Email me at hello@thenicutranslator.com, and I’ll be happy to chat.
American Holistic Nurses Association Approved
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the American Holistic Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Approval for contact hours through the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) is based on an assessment of the educational merit of this program and does not constitute endorsement of the use of any specific modality in the care of clients.
join the waitlist | August 2025
Ready to Make a Difference?
Click below to join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for the next live cohort!