Postpartum doula for new families

New parents, often with a first baby, twins or a difficult birth. Some families get help from relatives or workplace benefits, or gift certificates from baby showers.

An hourly rate, often with a minimum shift length, or a package of shifts. Overnight shifts may be priced differently from daytime ones.

• Patience and warmth
• Newborn care and safe sleep knowledge
• Discretion in clients' homes
• Reliability and good time management

• Check your state or city for any rules on providing in-home care, and for background check expectations
• Consider general liability insurance, since you work in clients' homes and handle babies
• Keep to non-medical support and refer parents to their doctor or midwife for health concerns
• Overnight work can be tiring, so plan how many shifts you can sustain
• If you hire other doulas, check how your state treats contractors versus employees and whether workers' compensation applies

Startup costs are typically around $400 to $2,500, depending on the setup you choose. These are estimates. Consider whether general liability insurance fits, since you work in clients' homes and handle babies.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $4,500, depending on how many families you support and how many shifts you can sustain. These are revenue estimates, not profit. Overnight work can be tiring, so plan your limits.

Check your state or city for any rules on providing in-home care and for background check expectations. Keep to non-medical support. If you hire other doulas, check how your state treats contractors versus employees and whether workers' compensation applies.