I am a certified postpartum doula who provides families with support in their homes, overnight. My typical hours of support are between 8PM and 7AM. This support is generally provided while one, if not both parents are on family leave. Sometimes the spouse (father) is not on leave and is working during the day, however both parents are typically home and sleeping during the hours I am present and providing this support. As a doula, I am there to not only take care of the newborn but also provide physical and emotional support to the mother, provide education and guidance on a wide variety of newborn care topics to both parents and occasionally provide light housekeeping assistance (such as washing baby bottles or doing infant laundry). While providing overnight support, I am able to sleep while the baby is sleeping.
My question is: does this type of support qualify for the childcare tax credit or dependent care expense? Is it considered "work related" since sleep is necessary to function at work and do their jobs? If only one parent works during the day and the other is on medical leave, does overnight care qualify? If BOTH parents work during the day but are in the home, present but sleeping while I provide support, does my support qualify?
