Babynurses (also called newborn-care-specialists) are experts in newborn care who help new parents during the first few weeks of life at home. They can work either on and off throughout the day, or be night-only, feeding and changing the baby so the parents can get some much-needed rest. While they’re called baby nurses, they are typically not licensed or registered nurses with medical training. They do, however, have expertise in infant care and development, including feeding, sleep training, CPR, managing multiples and treating the special needs of preemies or babies with a medical condition.
What’s The Difference Between A Babynurse And A Nanny?
The main difference between a Babynurse and a Nanny is that Babynurses are specialists in the care of newborns and typically stay with a family for a few weeks or months after a child is born. They are skilled in sleep training, feedings throughout the day, bathing, diapering, and stimulating the growing brains of new babies. They are typically on-call 24 hours a day to tend to a baby’s needs and take significant stress out of the lives of new parents. It is particularly beneficial to hire a babynurse if you are new to parenting, don’t have other family members nearby to help with newborn care, for preemies, for multiples, and for help with breastfeeding.
Why You Need A Babynurse Or Newborn-Care-Specialist
Hiring a Babynurse or newborn-care-specialist can be the difference between joy and despair during the first few weeks of new parenthood. No matter how much joy a new baby brings to your life, the first few weeks at home with a wailing newborn can be stressful, hectic and even bad for a new parent’s mental and physical health without the right support.
Babynurses and newborn-care-specialists are not just for newborns. They can help parents with infants up to six months old. They can also help parents who have adopted an infant or who have had a surrogate carry their child.
Top Duties Of A Newborn Care Specialist Or Baby Nurse
- Feeding the newborn
- Help establish and maintain feeding and sleeping schedule
- Sterilizing, cleaning and preparing formula for bottles
- Help with breastfeeding/lactation consultation
- Changing diapers
- Emptying diaper waste bins
- Bathing baby or babies
- Laundering baby’s clothing, linens or cloth diapers
- Cleaning and maintaining the nursery
- Stocking, restocking and maintaining supplies for the baby and nursery
- Keeping a daily journal with important/helpful information for parents such as sleep, eating, changing patterns and baby insights.
What To Look For When Hiring
Experience and training
A good Babynurse should have relevant experience and training in caring for newborns. You may want to ask for references, certifications, or credentials that demonstrate their expertise and professionalism.
Personality and compatibility
A good babynurse should have a friendly, caring, and respectful personality that matches your family’s needs and preferences. You may want to interview potential candidates and ask them about their philosophy, approach, and expectations regarding newborn care. You may also want to observe how they interact with your baby and other family members. A good Babynurse should be able to communicate effectively, follow your instructions, and adapt to your lifestyle.
Availability and reliability
A good Babynurse should be available and reliable for the duration of your contract. You may want to discuss the schedule, hours, and fees of the service before hiring a Babynurse. You may also want to ask about their policies regarding sick days, vacations, or emergencies. A good Babynurse should be punctual, dependable, and flexible.
