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Overnight Newborn Care
in denver
Newborn Care Specialist/
Postpartum doula Services
Expert in-home education and support during the overwhelming and exhausting early weeks
Is it really true you get less sleep with a newborn than during your 3rd trimester?
Is there a way to prevent postpartum depression or anxiety?
What if my baby won't sleep in their bassinet?
Will I mess up my milk supply if I let my husband give a bottle so I can sleep ?
How do I balance everything if I have an older child?
When can you teach a baby to sleep through the night?
I'm hearing conflicting things - should the baby sleep in our room or the nursery?
Which kind of swaddle will help my baby sleep longer?
Congratulations on the anticipated arrival of your precious little one!
I know you have SO many questions.
If you've landed here, I also know you're interested in getting some support during the first few weeks or months with your new baby. Most of all, you're probably looking for help with getting more sleep.
I help new parents to build confidence in their parenting, maximize their sleep, preserve their sanity, and actually enjoy the newborn phase.
Hey, I'm Tara
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME:
- I'm an Advanced Certified Newborn Care Specialist, Certified Postpartum Doula, and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional. I have more than 7500 hours of experience working overnights with more than 50 newborns over the last nine years.
- Since becoming an NCS, I have invested in 170+ hours of continuing education and spent countless hours in independent study to expand my knowledge of newborn care practices and to understand the research supporting those recommendations.
learn about my approach
Who I Am As A Postpartum Professional
- I will listen patiently and attentively to all your questions, fears, struggles, and insecurities, and I will answer with unwavering empathy and compassion. I will sing tenderly to your baby before putting them in their crib.
- I will also somtimes reply to your texts with memes and gifs, drop the occasional f-bomb, passionately nerd out on the science behind evidence-based recommendations if you'll let me, and tell your baby jokes while I change their diaper.
Read more about my background and qualifications here
learn about my fees & Availability
1) Safety-Conscious and Evidence Based
I adhere to all safe sleep guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). All practices and products I recommend are based on safety standards and recommendations from the AAP as well as the CDC, CPSC, and FDA.
2) Mindful of Mental Health
With my background as a therapist and specific training in perinatal mental health, I offer support and guidance that is trauma-informed and considers the impact various parenting choices may have on your mental/emotional well-being. I prioritize sleep, both yours - helping you learn how to maximize your rest even in the early days - and your baby's - guiding you through the process of sleep shaping (see below) so that your baby can begin (and you can go back to) sleeping through the night as early as possible.
3) Collaborative
I'm the expert on newborn care and on postpartum recovery/adjustment, but you are the expert on you and your baby. I'm not going to just tell you what to do when it comes to parenting decisions, but I will help you figure out what you want to do. As far as your goals for your baby's sleep, I will be there to guide you (and give you a break during my shifts), but ultimately you have to be willing to put in the work when I'm not there.
My Approach to Newborn Care and Postpartum Support
learn about who I am
- I charge $55 per hour. Included in this rate is all the additional support I offer outside of the time that I am in your home (see below).
Fees & Availability
- I typically work 10-hour shifts (e.g. 9pm-7am) and do require a minimum of 9 hours.
- I work with one family at a time*, for either 2 or 3 nights per week (occasionally 4) and am open to working whichever nights of the week you choose. When families have wanted to work with me but desired more nights a week, then I have partnered with another NCS to split the schedule between us.
- I typically work with families for 8-10 weeks, but there is no minimum number of weeks. Based on your budget, I'm happy to offer insight and suggestions as to how it may be most helpful for your circumstance to spread out the number of nights you wish to book.
- In order to officially book with me and reserve my availability for your chosen nights, a retainer is due equaling 20% of the total contract, or the final 2 weeks' of nights, whichever is greater.
What is “sleep shaping”?
Sleep training simply means teaching your baby to fall asleep, and back to sleep, independently in their own separate sleep space (which could be in their own room or in your room). Falling asleep independently means they aren’t fed or rocked to sleep or need to be held in order to stay asleep. And this can begin from birth!
Sleep shaping is a term used to describe a form of newborn sleep training, because it is a more gradual process that occurs over the entire first 3 months of life. It involves establishing reliable feeding patterns, good sleep hygiene, and predictable nap and bedtime routines, as well as allowing the baby repeated opportunities to practice falling asleep on their own. All of this sets the foundation for healthy sleep overall, and in particular for longer and longer stretches of overnight sleep.
“Sleep shaping” is just another name for “sleep training” that is specifically used when talking about newborns. BUT Since people use the term “sleep training” to mean a wide variety of things, let’s pause a moment so I can define what I mean when I use these terms.
It is a common misconception that sleep training cannot begin until a baby is a certain age or weight (I’ve heard everything from older than 3-4 months, over 6 months, over a year if baby is breastfed, not until baby has doubled their birth weight, etc.) While it is true that newborns are not ready or able to go all night without eating until at least 8-12 weeks, sleep training is not the same thing as "night weaning."
Unless there are medical issues, babies are generally capable of sleeping an uninterrupted 11-12 hour stretch overnight without eating by the time they are about 12 weeks old, but you can enjoy the benefits of independent sleep *even if* you are still feeding overnight! And so this means that better sleep for both you and baby can start from the very beginning.
So what does a typical night look like?
- If chestfeeding, I will bring the baby to you when they are ready for a feeding. I provide basic lactation support as far as positioning, observing signs of adequate milk transfer, and helping you learn to read baby's cues of hunger, fullness, needing to burp, digestive discomfort, etc. I also make sure you have water and snacks as well as any medications, heating pads/ice packs, etc. that you need to feel comfortable throughout the night.
- If you choose to pump in place of or to simply skip and sleep through any overnight feedings, I will prepare a bottle of pumped milk and/or formula to feed your baby
- I wash and reassemble all bottles/pump parts, and label/store any expressed milk.
- I will soothe as needed between feedings while helping your baby learn to fall asleep (and back asleep) independently, gradually helping them lengthen their longest overnight sleep stretch
- I will keep detailed notes in a log of your choosing, offering feedback and suggestions and giving you insight into how I handle various situations
Support Beyond Overnight Shifts
- You will receive two guides I have created to help prepare for your baby's arrival: All the Baby Sh*t You Need (And Don't) and Postpartum Care Plan & Workbook
- We will schedule a pre-delivery walkthrough for me to evaluate your space and provide education and assistance in setting up one or more safe sleep spaces, your baby monitor, changing stations, feeding stations, and systems for storing milk and preparing and washing bottles and pump parts. I will also any questions you have about how to use products you’ve purchased and make recommendations about any additional items you may want to order before the baby arrives.
- You will receive a personalized "Sleep Shaping Plan" to serve as a companion resource during our work together, detailing all of my recommendations and tips for feedings, daytime routines, setting up a safe sleep environment conducive to restful sleep, naptime and bedtime routines, newborn-specific methods for teaching independent sleep, coping strategies for dealing with crying, as well as week-by-week "schedule" guidelines.
- Between shifts, I will keep an eye on the log and be available daily for text support to encourage and reassure you, answer questions that come up and help you troubleshoot any issues, and celebrate your successes!
- Once your baby is sleeping through the night, I will send you my graduation guide, “We Sleep Trained, Now What?” which explains how to adjust your baby's schedule for feedings and sleep as they grow, as well as the most common sleep/routine disruptors you'll encounter through about age 3 with strategies for getting things back on track.
- Finally, if you ever find that you are really stuck in a pattern of poor sleep or if you are wanting more personalized recommendations for adjusting your baby's schedule over time, I offer follow-up coaching calls where we can talk through anything where you are needing some extra insight or support!
My goal is to provide families with comprehensive support that extends beyond the hours i am in your home, including helping you prepare before baby arrives, staying in contact between shifts, and being an ongoing resource even after you have graduated from the newborn phase.
Happy Moms Are Saying...
i WOULD DESCRIBE TARA'S APPROACH AS NO NONSENSE BUT ALSO WARM AND LOVING.
We loved working with Tara! I wish we had known her from night one! (We started with her a few weeks in after a negative experience with an agency). I would describe Tara's approach as no nonsense, but also warm and loving. She is incredibly knowledgeable, but also collaborative and a great listener. She also backs everything she suggests with research-based evidence, which I love. She was always so responsive to my texts and questions, which was hugely helpful. In general her support and knowledge was incredibly reassuring, and creating a schedule that worked for us - and helping us tweak it as our baby has gotten older has been super helpful!
- Kate S. (4-13 weeks)
Kate later hired me to be the NCS for her 2nd and 3rd babies!
It's a really intimate thing to let someone into your home postpartum...and tara came in seamlessly to help
Tara is very knowledgable and incredibly professional, respectful, efficient, straightforward and not judgmental, punctual and reliable. I wasn't sure if I wanted to invest in an NCS, but it was the best money I could have spent. It's a really intimate thing to let someone into your home postpartum, and it was easy having Tara here. I didn't feel like we had to host or explain/train on anything, she came in seamlessly to help. My husband and I looked forward to the nights she would help us, knowing that we would be able to catch up on rest while our son was in great hands. My mental health was saved by the fact that I could get a couple of good nights of sleep a week. I also didn't realize we could start working on our baby's sleep as early as we did, which helped me feel more in control and like we were on a path towards sleeping through the night from the very start.
- Kerry T. (0-8 weeks)
How would I describe tara?
savior, angel, magician.
How would I describe Tara? Savior, angel, magician. Straightforward, unflappable, good listener, knowledgable, science-based. There are innumerable “tactics” I learned that I would site as most helpful (amount of oz/sleep total that’s needed; emphasis on routines for sleep and naptime.) She also said something along the lines of “Don’t prepare the road for your child; prepare your child for the road.” And that general approach has stuck with me. Also, I loved her reframing of “Try it Out” from “Cry it Out.”**
**Not referring to the CIO method (extinction), just crying in general
- Meredith L., 2-11 weeks
Meredith later hired me to be the NCS for her 2nd baby!
Tara was knowledgeable and non-judgmental, giving us a framework to know that we were taking good care of our son.
Tara was amazing! As first-time parents, we had done lots of reading and research about how to take care of a baby. Then we brought our baby home and realized just how little we knew! I had SO MANY questions, I was afraid to set down my son, and I was afraid to take care of myself. Tara was knowledgeable and non-judgmental, giving us a framework to know that we were taking good care of our son. She was able to ease my fears and worries, answer my questions, and she filled so many roles - life coach, sleep trainer, shopping advisor, nutritionist, lactation consultant. Through her amazing work, our whole household was able to sleep through the night when our son was 10 weeks old.
- Gwen C., 0-11 weeks
Let's chat!
Hiring overnight support for your newborn is a big investment and I want to make sure that the type of support I provide will help you to accomplish your specific goals for the newborn stage (in case someone who uses a different approach would be a better fit, or if you might actually benefit more from a different kind of professional support)!
I also understand that handing over your newborn to be cared for by another person in your home while you sleep requires an incredible amount of trust, and so I want you to have a chance to get to know me and ask me any questions you need to feel comfortable.
Book Your Free 30-Minute consultation
Through 1:1 education, coaching, and support, you can feel confident in caring for your newborn and be successful in teaching your baby to sleep independently and to sleep an uninterrupted 11-12 hours overnight by approximately 12 weeks of age.
Get the rest you need to preserve your sanity and be the best momma you can be for your little one!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's the difference between a baby nurse, newborn care Specialist, postpartum doula, and a night nanny?
You may have heard any or all of these terms in conversations about getting support postpartum. They are often used interchangeably when describing someone who provides overnight care and support, but they are all actually a little different. It's important to understand these differences to make sure you hire the right professional for your family's needs and goals.
While the terms "baby nurse" and "night nurse" are still commonly used to describe non-medical professionals who provide in-home overnight newborn care, the industry is working on reserving these terms for providers who are licensed nursing professionals (e.g. R.N., L.P.N.). Licensed baby nurses charge premium rates and specialize in caring for medically fragile newborns - these babies often require specialized medical equipment or fully awake care for 24/7 monitoring.
Newborn Care Specialists (NCS) are truly the newborn "experts." They have extensive knowledge and experience working with infants, specializing in the first 16 weeks of life. An NCS not only provides care for the newborn so parents can sleep, but they also provide education and coaching to parents regarding breastfeeding, bottle feeding, routines, and typical development, are able to help troubleshoot any issues or concerns that arise with the baby's health or development, and are skilled in the process of sleep shaping.
While a postpartum doula may provide basic newborn care so that parents can rest, eat, shower, etc., their focus is less on the newborn specifically and more on supporting the family as a whole. They are skilled in supporting the birthing parent's physical recovery and providing encouragement and guidance to help both parents and any siblings to adjust to life with the new baby. Many doulas assist with light household tasks, pet care, meal prep, etc. (though much less common when working overnight shifts). Doulas typically do not have training or experience in educating or assisting parents with sleep shaping.
A night nanny also cares for newborns overnight but does so by following the parents' specific instructions. They implement the parents' preferences regarding feeding, soothing, swaddling, etc. rather than having the expertise to offer a personalized care plan (they typically only have limited training, such as CPR/First Aid, with no newborn or postpartum-focused trainings or certifications, and no training in helping families with sleep shaping.
Yes! As a Certified Postpartum Doula, the overnight care I provide is eligible for both Carrot and Maven reimbursement. You will need to verify directly with your employer what your specific "fertility benefits" are that include postpartum doula support, including your total benefit amount and if you are required to use these benefits within a certain timeframe (e.g. between 0-6 weeks postpartum).
What sleep SHAPING methods do you use? can we do Gentle or No-Cry methods? OR WILL I HAVE TO LET MY BABY CRY IT OUT?
One huge advantage to working with a Newborn Care Specialist who is also a Certified Infant Sleep Consultant is that I am familiar with ALL the methods out there for sleep training and can educate you on which are appropriate for the newborn stage and the various pros and cons of each.
I do have a couple “favorite” methods that I’ve developed myself based on all my years of experience assisting over 50 families with the process of sleep shaping for their newborn. That said, I am supportive of all age-appropriate methods and my goal is to help you choose the method that is best for you and your baby.
I don’t refer to any sleep training/shaping method as “gentle” because 1) it’s shaming language that implies that other methods are “harsh” or “mean,” which isn’t true and only furthers the stigma around sleep training in general, 2) what feels gentle to one baby may not for another, and 3) the implied goal of “gentle” methods is less crying, but they usually take longer to work, which can result in more total crying and so I feel this is misleading. I prefer the terms more interactive vs less interactive, more hands on vs hands off, or parent-present vs giving space.
Unfortunately, I believe that “no-cry” or “tear-free” methods are a marketing ploy. While in the womb, a baby is constantly held and never hungry. Life outside the womb is obviously different, but many parents sacrifice their own sleep and sanity for weeks and months in an effort to prevent their baby from ever being uncomfortable. Whether you start early or later, babies eventually have to adjust to being in the world, and expecting your baby to make this adjustment without ANY crying at all is completely unrealistic. A huge part of what I do though is help minimize the crying as much as possible, and teach you how to cope effectively when it does happen!
Yes and no. There is some overlap between therapy and coaching/consulting (I use “coaching” and “consulting” interchangeably). In my role as Newborn Care Specialist/Postpartum doula, my support includes some sleep consulting and parent coaching. Both therapy and coaching/consulting can help address a variety of mental, emotional, and relational challenges, can deepen self-awareness, teach coping skills, collaborate in solving specific problems, and improve general well-being.
Psychotherapy is considered a medical treatment for a mental health disorder - it can only be provided by a licensed clinician, who is subject to the laws and ethics of the state boards in which they practice. A therapist diagnoses the client and develops an appropriate treatment plan, which may include psychoeducation and teaching coping skills in order to better manage symptoms, but also involves implementing various therapeutic techniques in an effort to treat or heal various forms of mental distress.
Coaching, on the other hand, is offered by professionals from many educational backgrounds and does not have a state- or federally-regulated scope of practice. While coaching may be offered by licensed therapists, in this service these clinicians are not performing a medical role: even though they are qualified to do so, they do not diagnose and they do not provide medical treatment for a mental disorder. Again, even though a licensed therapist has the training to do so, as a coach it would be inappropriate to dig into any deeper, underlying mental or emotional issues that may be contributing to the present problem for which coaching is intended to solve.
Therefore, while my hope is that the support I offer as a Newborn Care Specialist/Postpartum Doula would be incredibly beneficial for mommas experiencing postpartum mood issues, the conversations we have along with the guidance and advice I offer verbally or via text or my written guides should not be considered to be therapy, does not substitute for therapy, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
If I believe a parent would benefit from further assessment and possible treatment for a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, I will provide referrals and help get them connected to an appropriate provider. Unfortunately, due to the ethics of my therapy license, I am not able to provide therapy services to clients I have already worked with as a Newborn Care Specialist/Postpartum Doula. If you are already working with a therapist and would like me to speak with them before or during our time working together, I am happy to do that! You will just need to ask them for a release of information form to give permission for them to contact me.
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