Newborn Care Specialist Services
in St. Petersburg + Tampa Bay
As you plan for the arrival of your baby, you might be considering the support of a Newborn Care Specialist. Whether you’re birthing your babe, receiving via surrogate, or welcoming your baby through adoption, you may desire expert care and education for your newborn.
Based in St. Petersburg and supporting families throughout Tampa Bay, Sunshine City Doula offers expert Newborn Care Specialist support designed to ease your transition into life with a new baby.
What is a Newborn Care Specialist?
A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is a highly skilled professional with extensive knowledge and training in caring for infants and supporting parents, who specializes in providing care for infants during their crucial first 16 weeks of life. However, their role often extends beyond the four-month mark, offering coverage through baby’s first year of life.. The services offered by an NCS can include overnight support, sleep conditioning, daytime newborn care, and even round-the-clock live-in assistance. One of the main goals of an NCS is to establish daytime and nighttime routines that suits both the baby and the family, while also helping the baby develop the ability to sleep through the night [or achieve longer stretches of sleep] by around 16 weeks old. This includes establishing healthy sleep patterns and routines, with the ultimate aim of ensuring your little one consistently sleeps for around 10-12 hours each night by approximately 16 weeks old.
An NCS provides valuable information on effective baby care techniques, following the latest recommendations from reputable organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO).
In addition to their expertise in infant care, NCS’ are well-versed in various topics such as reflux/GERD, caring for multiples, sleep training, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and preemie care. This means they are fully equipped to handle a wide range of issues and situations that may arise during the first few months of a baby's life. They can also assist with tasks like ordering baby gear, arranging the nursery, managing baby-related household chores, and establishing feeding and sleep schedules that meet the unique needs of each family.
How I work with families as a Newborn Care Specialist:
Overnight Care
The most requested NCS service. I take complete care of your baby overnight so you can rest undisturbed, managing feedings, diapering, soothing, and settling your baby, while also handling baby-related tasks. Beyond basic care, NCS’ are recognized for their expertise in establishing healthy sleep habits and routines that set your baby up for long-term success.
Daytime care
Full daytime support to guide families through the first few months of life and beyond. This includes caring for baby alongside you or independently, feeding support (breast, bottle, lactation, pumping), establishing healthy sleep and feeding habits, creating a consistent daytime routine with age-appropriate activities to support optimal development, newborn care instruction and education, and parent support.
24/7 care
Comprehensive around-the-clock support from an experienced NCS. 24/7 care combines daytime and overnight expertise for families who want continuous guidance, education, and hands-on help. This consistent support helps your baby settle into routines, promotes healthy sleep and feeding habits, and provides parents with expert reassurance throughout the first few weeks-months.
What can I expect from my Newborn Care Specialist?
A Newborn Care Specialist is a highly trained and experienced professional who focuses exclusively on the care, well-being, and development of infants from birth through their first year of life. Unlike traditional childcare, an NCS is hired not only to provide hands-on care for your baby but also to guide parents through newborn care education & instruction, feeding, sleep routines, and developmental transitions with evidence-based practices. Families hire an NCS when they want more than help “getting through the day” - they want guidance, routine establishment, and reassurance that they’re doing what’s best for their baby.
A Newborn Care Specialist meets you where you are and takes the time to learn about your parenting philosophies, feeding goals and overall wishes for your new parenting experience. Knowing your specialist is there to offer expert advice and support will help you feel more confident in your parenting journey.
Newborn Care
Newborn care (diapering, soothing, bathing, feeding support).
Infant Feeding
Infant feeding guidance (breast, bottle, pumping, combo) and helping you troubleshoot challenges that may arise such as latch difficulties, bottle/feeding aversions, reflux, and more.
Emotional Support
Emotional support and a listening ear when you need it most.
Home Support
Practical help in the home (light tidying, meal prep, laundry).
Overnight Care
Overnight care so that you can sleep while your baby is safely cared for.
Daytime NCS Services:
Expert care from birth through baby’s first year
Physical recovery: Encouraging rest, offering hands-on help
Emotional support: A calm, grounded presence by your side
Newborn education: Answering all of the questions that a baby brings with reliable, evidence-based information
Hands-on newborn care instruction: soothing techniques, bathing, burping, swaddling, tips & tricks, and effective care strategies
Help you understand and respond to your baby’s cues with confidence
Baby-related household help: Nursery organization, refreshing changing stations, ordering supplies as they run low, bottle prep, and baby laundry
Assistance with older siblings’ adjustment and integration
Establishing predictable routines for complex schedules, busy professionals with demanding jobs, and
Overnight Newborn Services:
Rest isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Prevent exhaustion and burnout during those early weeks
Create healthy sleep habits and routines from the very beginning
Recover from birth with uninterrupted rest
Be present and clear-headed during the day
Feel confident with a trained, nurturing expert watching over your baby
Introduce consistent routines and habits that support longer stretches of sleep over time
Services & Pricing
DAYTIME NEWBORN CARE SPECIALIST SUPPORT | $35/hr
6-12 hour shifts, 8am-6pm
Minimum contract length: 2 weeks
OVERNIGHT NEWBORN CARE SPECIALIST SUPPORT | $40/hr
10-12 hour shifts, 7pm-7am
Minimum contract length: 2 weeks
*I currently book 3-6+ months out. Secure services early to ensure availability.