Looking into becoming a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula

[MommyMandi]

Anyone here gone to trainings for either of these? I have been in early childhood for 13 years. I have been a nanny, as well as worked in a classroom. I am currently taking classes for my degree in ECE and have decided that going back to the classroom just isn't what I want to do. I decided months ago that I would actually love to be a night-nanny or newborn care specialist. It would mean my children would not have to go to child care because my dh would be home. I would be able to support parents and that is what I truly have found my calling to be. I haven't find any trainings in Colorado and to go with an agency, I need formal trainings. While looking into this, I also came across information on becoming a postpartum doula, something else that would interest me. I plan to do lots more reading and self-education and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice. Thank you!

[theRN]

When you say you'd like to be a newborn care specialist I assume your referring to some type of nursing. All the nurses that handle babies are RNs. 4 years of school, 2 years if you already have a bachelors. 

[demetria]

A lot of people really like being a postpartum doula. You will probably really like it.

Good luck with your decision.

Originally Posted by MommyMandi 

Anyone here gone to trainings for either of these? I have been in early childhood for 13 years. I have been a nanny, as well as worked in a classroom. I am currently taking classes for my degree in ECE and have decided that going back to the classroom just isn't what I want to do. I decided months ago that I would actually love to be a night-nanny or newborn care specialist. It would mean my children would not have to go to child care because my dh would be home. I would be able to support parents and that is what I truly have found my calling to be. I haven't find any trainings in Colorado and to go with an agency, I need formal trainings. While looking into this, I also came across information on becoming a postpartum doula, something else that would interest me. I plan to do lots more reading and self-education and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice. Thank you!

[MommyMandi]

Originally Posted by theRN 

When you say you'd like to be a newborn care specialist I assume your referring to some type of nursing. All the nurses that handle babies are RNs. 4 years of school, 2 years if you already have a bachelors. 

Sorry, I should have clarified. That's the new term for a night-nanny that provides overnight care for newborns, preemies or multiples. 

[Drummer's Wife]

If you want to be certified, I'd recommend either DONA or CAPPA.  I've been thinking about going through Cappa for their labor doula training, and they do workshops in CO (I was hoping to go the one the end of July, but it probably won't work with our trip up there.  What's nice is that the trainer will do payment plans).  Cappa offers distance learning options, too, as do several of the other certifying organizations. 

For postpartum work, my understanding is that many clients will in fact want overnight care/help, so I'm thinking there is a decent market for it.  I've read rates of $10-20+ an hour. 

Check out the forums at alldoulas.com if you haven't already.  There is a sub-forum for postpartum doula work. 

[MommyMandi]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife 

If you want to be certified, I'd recommend either DONA or CAPPA.  I've been thinking about going through Cappa for their labor doula training, and they do workshops in CO (I was hoping to go the one the end of July, but it probably won't work with our trip up there.  What's nice is that the trainer will do payment plans).  Cappa offers distance learning options, too, as do several of the other certifying organizations. 

For postpartum work, my understanding is that many clients will in fact want overnight care/help, so I'm thinking there is a decent market for it.  I've read rates of $10-20+ an hour. 

Check out the forums at alldoulas.com if you haven't already.  There is a sub-forum for postpartum doula work. 

Thank you!!!