Postpartum Nanny vs Night Nurse: What’s the Difference (and Which One Should You Hire?)
TL;DR: A night nurse focuses on overnight newborn care so parents can sleep. A postpartum nanny supports both mom + baby—typically combining newborn care (often including nights) with postpartum recovery support, routine-building, and hands-on guidance. If you want full postpartum support (not just nights), a postpartum nanny is usually the best fit.
These roles are often confused because both can help with newborn sleep. The difference is scope: a night nurse mainly solves nighttime fatigue, while postpartum care supports the entire recovery window.
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What a postpartum nanny (Yue Sao) does →
Quick Definitions
- Night Nurse (Overnight Newborn Care): Overnight-only newborn support—feeding help, diapering, soothing, and settling baby back to sleep so parents can rest.
- Postpartum Nanny (Postpartum Care): Newborn care + postpartum recovery support for the mother—often live-in and commonly includes overnight care as part of broader 24/7 support.
Important: Titles vary by region. Some families use “night nurse” to mean any overnight infant caregiver. This page compares the typical scope families expect when hiring each role.
Best For (Fast Decision Table)
| Best for… | Night Nurse | Postpartum Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Parents who mainly need sleep | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (often included) |
| Mother’s recovery + rest protection | ⚠ Limited | ✅ Core focus |
| Feeding routine + newborn coaching | ✅ Night-focused | ✅ Day + night routine building |
| First-time parents needing hands-on guidance | ⚠ Some | ✅ Strong |
| Families wanting meal support (optional) | ❌ Usually no | ✅ Optional (depending on plan) |
| Short-term, overnight-only coverage | ✅ Ideal | ⚠ Often broader than needed |
What You Actually Get (Side-by-Side)
Night Nurse: Typical Overnight Responsibilities
- Night feedings (bottle and/or breastfeeding support if needed)
- Diaper changes and soothing
- Settling baby back to sleep
- Basic newborn safety monitoring overnight
- Light logging of feeds/diapers (depending on caregiver)
Postpartum Nanny: Typical Responsibilities (Mom + Baby)
- Newborn care (feeding support, diapering, soothing, bathing routines, safe sleep guidance)
- Overnight newborn care (commonly included in live-in postpartum care)
- Mother recovery support (protecting rest, hydration reminders, emotional reassurance)
- Routine building (day-to-night rhythms, newborn cues, calming techniques)
- Parent coaching (hands-on guidance for first-time parents)
- Optional postpartum meals (depending on the plan selected)
See our Postpartum Nanny FAQ →
Cost Expectations (Ranges + What Drives Cost)
Costs vary by location, experience, and coverage. To compare fairly, look at the scope (overnight-only vs full postpartum coverage).
- Night nurse: Typically priced for overnight hours only and may be higher per-hour due to the schedule.
- Postpartum nanny: Often structured as a daily rate for live-in support covering newborn care plus postpartum recovery help (and may include meals depending on the plan).
What drives cost up: twins, special feeding needs, limited availability, peak due-date seasons, and higher experience requirements.
Helpful planning tools:
Postpartum nanny costs ·
Postpartum care cost calculator
What Families Get Wrong (and How to Avoid It)
- Assuming a night nurse provides postpartum recovery support. Overnight care helps sleep, but it doesn’t automatically include daytime structure or recovery guidance.
- Hiring night-only support when the real problem is 24/7 overwhelm. Many families need help with the full newborn rhythm—days, evenings, and nights.
- Not clarifying feeding expectations. Night coverage looks different for exclusive breastfeeding vs bottle feeding.
- Expecting meal support from a night role. Meals are typically part of postpartum care plans, not night-only coverage.
- Underestimating how quickly fatigue compounds. A few rough nights can impact recovery, mental health, and decision-making.
Decision Guide: Choose the Right Option
Choose a Night Nurse if…
- Your main need is overnight newborn care so you can sleep
- You have strong daytime support (partner, family, or daytime help)
- You want short-term relief during a difficult sleep phase
- You mainly need help with feeding/soothing at night and already feel confident during the day
Choose a Postpartum Nanny if…
- You want mom + baby support, not just nights
- You want help building routines across day + night
- You’re recovering from birth and want protected rest and guidance
- You’re a first-time parent and want hands-on coaching
- You want the option of postpartum meals (depending on the plan selected)
Simple rule: If you want only sleep → night nurse. If you want postpartum support → postpartum nanny is usually best.
Related service pages:
Night Nurse / Overnight Newborn Care ·
Postpartum Nanny (Yue Sao)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a night nurse the same as a postpartum nanny?
No. A night nurse focuses on overnight newborn care. A postpartum nanny supports newborn care plus the mother’s recovery and daily routine building—often including nights as part of broader care.
Can a postpartum nanny provide overnight care?
Yes—overnight newborn care is a common part of live-in postpartum support, depending on the plan and agreement.
Do night nurses help with breastfeeding?
Some can support nighttime feeding routines and help parents stay organized, but scope varies. Always clarify how night coverage works for your feeding plan.
Does a postpartum nanny cook?
Many postpartum care plans include meals for the mother as an option. Night-only roles typically do not include meal preparation.
How long do families usually hire each role?
Night nurse bookings can be short (a few nights per week or several weeks). Postpartum care is commonly booked for 4–12 weeks depending on recovery and support needs.
Ready to Get the Right Help After Birth?
If you want mom + baby support, a postpartum nanny is usually the best overall solution. If you want overnight-only help, a night nurse may be the right fit.
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