24-Year-Old 'Night Nanny' Earns Up to $50 an Hour to Care for Babies While Exhausted Parents Sleep

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.

She Was Caring for Babies From a Young Age

Carpenter grew up as one of 10 children and became an aunt at only 5. Her early experience around childcare eventually led to years of working professionally with children. After working in various childcare roles, Carpenter found that overnight newborn care suited both her experience and her preference for working nights.

'I knew it was perfect for me,' she says. 'I always wanted an overnight job, so working with infants/moms along with that was a no-brainer.' Carpenter initially used the title 'Night Nanny' because it was more immediately 'understood'. She later trained and became a certified postpartum doula and newborn care specialist.

Her Nights Are Anything but Simple

Carpenter typically works nine to 12 hours a night, sometimes four to seven nights a week. Her contracts usually run for three to four months. Her duties can include feeding, changing, and soothing babies; preparing bottles and pump parts; doing baby laundry; and handling light household tasks.

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'On paper it seems simple,' Carpenter says. 'Change, eat, sleep. Change, eat, sleep. However, this changes with each baby.' Gas, reflux, and growth spurts can quickly disrupt that routine and require additional soothing. She also helps mothers with breastfeeding during overnight shifts. 'Breastfeeding can be so daunting to do alone!' she explains.

Staying Awake Is Part of the Job

Working through the night can be physically demanding, especially when a caregiver is responsible for a newborn for hours on end. 'When I first started doing full-time overnights, it was a lot,' Carpenter admits. 'There may have been some times I had to splash my face with water to stay awake when sitting with the mom while she breastfed. There were also a lot of snacks and energy drinks involved!'

Her current circumstances make the schedule easier to manage. Carpenter does not have children, while her partner helps with household duties and caring for their dog, Kyro. That leaves her with substantial time to sleep during the day.

The Goal Is to Give Parents a Break

Carpenter sees her role as more than simply watching a baby while parents sleep. 'Parents that hire postpartum support are no less than those that don't,' she says.

'Having overnight support even if for a couple days here and there means rest, healing, and avoiding sleep deprivation, which leads to increased risk of postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis,' she adds.

Overnight help can give new parents a chance to recover during an exhausting period. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes sleep and fatigue among the areas that should be assessed during postpartum care.

She Earns $50 an Hour Caring for Babies

Carpenter currently charges $45 to $50 an hour, with higher rates possible depending on distance and additional requests. She plans to raise her rate by $10 to $15 when she moves to San Diego.

Carpenter's rate is not representative of every overnight caregiver's pricing. Rates can vary based on location, experience, training, and responsibilities. A Care.com guide updated in February 2026 noted that night-nanny rates vary by location, experience, and training. It said newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas can earn $30–$40 or more per hour, with some charging above $60.

For Carpenter, the demanding nights are worth it. 'The best part of my job is knowing I'm supporting and guiding a momma through one of the most beautiful but vulnerable and scary times of her life,' she says. 'It's one of the most fulfilling things I've ever had the honour of doing.'