Jennifer Payson of The Night Shift Doula feeding a baby with a bottle in Richmond Virginia home

HELLO NEW PARENTS!

Welcome to the Fourth Trimester!

I am here to help you navigate the first few days, weeks, or months of this wonderful journey that you’re on!

Jennifer Payson smiling while holding twins in Richmond, Virginia

The Night Shift helps parents get that much deserved and needed rest at night by providing evidence based, culturally competent, non judgmental care for you and your baby!

The Night Shift LLC has been serving the RVA community now for 8 years as a postpartum doula specializing in working overnights to assist families in getting some well deserved and much needed sleep during the 4th trimester. My mission is to help families without judgement or shame, offering evidenced based information, tips, and recommendations to build confidence and assure the best start possible!

Photo of Jennifer Payson, postpartum doula in Richmond, Virginia

MEET THE NIGHT SHIFT POSTPARTUM DOULA

Jennifer Payson, CPD

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve always had a passion for caring for children and was a professional nanny for 30 years specializing in infants and multiples, working internationally and at home in RVA. I opened a home daycare after my own daughters were born, so that I could be with them full time for their first few years. I primarily cared for infants- most with health concerns and special needs. After having several babies with medical needs at my home daycare I then went to nursing school in hopes of becoming a pediatric RN, but once finished decided that I really preferred the one on one care of working as a postpartum doula in the homes of clients vs the craziness of a hospital setting.

As a single mom I didn’t have any help after the births of my girls and so I’m very empathetic towards new moms and take pride in being able to hold space and be a shoulder to lean on, someone to bounce ideas off, and a source for evidenced based information and community resources.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

star graphic branding for The Night Shift RVA

I am the very proud mom to two girls - Nalani, 21, who is in her last year at Tufts University in Boston, and Ella 17, who is currently enrolled in esthetician school.

star graphic branding for The Night Shift RVA

I’m an animal lover- we have 3 dogs, a cockatiel, 3 guinea pigs and a a bearded dragon- it’s a zoo!

star graphic branding for The Night Shift RVA

I love to travel, I’ve just returned from a month in Japan, read (I started my own book club), and mentor new child care professionals in the community.

My Certifications and Trainings

Child/Infant CPR & First Aid Certified

CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula

Newborn Care Specialist

Lactation Educator

Bereavement Doula

Adoption Doula

My Services

Jennifer Payson folding baby blankets during Third Trimester Power Hours in Richmond, Virginia.

Third Trimester Power Hours

Daytime by the hour, $50-$75/hour

I consult with you in your home to help you with setup and organization of the nursery, assistance with baby items like strollers, bottles, and bassinets, introductions to siblings and pets, and go over what my overnights will look like once baby arrives!

Jennifer Payson wearing a mask and watching over a baby during an overnight shift in Richmond, Virgini

Overnights

10pm- 6am, $40/hr, $50/hr Twins

From the hours of 10pm to 6am I come to your home and take over all care for baby while you sleep. I bring baby to you, if requested, for feedings so you can rest comfortably in your bed. In addition to making sure that baby is well cared for and all needs are attended to, I make sure bottles/pump parts are washed, baby laundry and nursery organization are completed, and your home is tidied up. When you awake in the morning you will receive a full report of all the nights activities.

Virtual support by Jennifer Payson, helping a mom with her baby on the couch in Richmond, Virginia

Virtual Assistance

(by text, and if available by zoom or telephone) $60/hr billed in 15 min increments

Advice and tips on getting your baby to sleep, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, bathing, diapering, and more!

Travel Doula Jennifer Payson holding a happy baby in Richmond, Virginia

Travel Postpartum Doula

$45/hr plus all costs associated with travel

Passport Ready

Extensive travel experience with babies!

The Night Shift RVA Doula Logo

  • "Jennifer was extremely professional."

    “Without help from Jennifer our postpartum experience with our twins would have been so much more difficult. The opportunity to get rest is critical during the first weeks at home. Jennifer was extremely professional. She was always on time and provided detailed reports on the night the next morning . She helped the babies establish good sleep practices, which we very much appreciated.”

    -Bonnie H

  • “Jen was absolutely fantastic.

    Just the help we needed with our fussy nighttime sleeper. Calm, soothing and extremely professional. Detailed information each morning that really made a difference in our family’s life.”

    -Laura M.

  • “Jen was amazing and so professional.

    I felt so comfortable while she took care of my baby and allowed me to get some much needed rest. She also provided some very good advice and recommendations. I highly recommend her.”

    -Carolyn M

  • “We had Jen help our family of 3 month old triplets.

    She was extremely knowledgeable and handled the babies with such care and love. She worked around our flexible schedule and was excellent with communication. Excited to have found someone with multiples experience and she felt like an extension of our family.”

    -Becca G

  • "We’re so grateful for her help and expertise.

    “Jennifer worked with us for several weeks after the birth of our first child, providing the flexibility we needed to get some much needed rest while feeling confident our daughter was safe and well cared for, but more than that she taught us how to be parents. Her advice was a game changer. Jennifer kept our home tidy, washing bottles and pump parts, and just generally made life easier during those early weeks.”

    -Cassie W

Photo of Jennifer Payson, experienced postpartum doula in Richmond, Virginia

Ready to get started? I can’t wait to meet you!

Simply fill out the form for your Initial Consultation. The first 30 minutes are free, anything after that is billed in 15 min increments at $40/hr.