For new parents, some of the most exhausting hours with a newborn can begin after dark. Babies often wake for frequent feeds, diaper changes, and soothing, leaving parents with little time to recharge. For 24-year-old Houston-based caregiver Anna Carpenter, helping families through those long nights is the focus of her work.
Carpenter is a certified postpartum doula and newborn care specialist who specialises in overnight newborn care. She says parents shouldn't feel guilty about stepping away for a few hours. 'Allowing yourself to rest means being more present for your baby during the day to fully bond/connect instead of barely hanging on by a thread,' Carpenter told PEOPLE.
