5 Signs It’s Time to Hire an Overnight Doula

You love your baby. You really do. You’re ecstatic to be a parent and you’re feeling so thankful.

But you’re so, so tired. You’re the kind of tired that doesn’t allow you to see straight. The kind of tired that you feel in your bones.

The nights feel endless, your days blur together, and even the simplest tasks, like showering or remembering what day it is, feel impossible.

If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to keep going like this, it might be time to bring in some help. That’s where an overnight doula comes in.

At Detroit Dreams Tonight, our team specializes in overnight postpartum & newborn care so you can get the rest you desperately need and show up as the parent you want to be. Not sure if you’re ready for that kind of support? Here are five clear signs it’s time to hire an overnight doula.

1. You Haven’t Slept More Than 2 Hours in a Row

The first few weeks with a newborn come with unpredictable sleep schedules, but that doesn’t mean you should be a walking zombie forever.

If you’re barely functioning and your body feels like it’s running on fumes, it’s a huge sign you need help. An overnight doula can handle or help with feedings, diaper changes, and soothing so you can get a solid stretch of restorative sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can make postpartum recovery harder and make you more susceptible to postpartum mood disorders. Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for recovery, mental health, and your ability to care for your baby.

2. Your Partner Is Back at Work

Maybe your partner has to be up early for work or has a high powered job that requires them to be high functioning making it hard for them to help at night. Or maybe you’re solo parenting altogether. Either way, the night shift often falls completely on you, which is physically and emotionally draining.

An overnight doula fills that gap so you’re not doing it all alone. We step in like an extra set of experienced, compassionate hands so you both feel supported, and no one’s running on empty.

3. You Feel Overwhelmed or Anxious at Night

Nighttime can feel heavy for many new parents. The quiet, the darkness, the hours stretching ahead… it can stir up anxiety and make everything feel harder.

If you find yourself dreading nights or feeling panicked when the sun goes down, you don’t have to power through it alone. Having a doula by your side brings calm, reassurance, and expert newborn care, so you can finally exhale and rest.

4. Your Baby’s Sleep Feels Like a Total Mystery

If you’ve Googled “why won’t my newborn sleep” more times than you can count, you’re not alone. Newborn sleep patterns can be confusing and they’re constantly changing, and it’s easy to second-guess your instincts or know what to do to help your baby sleep.

An overnight doula can assess what’s normal, offer guidance, and give you tools to create healthy sleep habits for your baby.

5. You Want to Actually Enjoy This Season

Your baby’s newborn stage is fleeting. You deserve to experience it with joy, not just survive it through exhaustion and stress.

An overnight doula helps you reclaim your nights and your sanity. With proper rest, you’ll have the energy to savor the snuggles, soak in those little milestones, and feel more like yourself again.

Your Next Step Toward Rest

If you’ve been nodding along to this list, you don’t have to keep struggling.
Our team at Detroit Dreams Tonight is here to support Metro Detroit families with compassionate, reliable overnight care. Our incredible team of postpartum doulas serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Ingham counties.

Let us take the night shift so you can wake up feeling human again.

Fill out our inquiry form and let’s talk about how we can help you get the rest you need and deserve!