Eight Things You Should Know Before Hiring A Newborn Care Specialist
Finding the right newborn care specialist takes time.
If your baby or babies keeps waking up two to three times per night, you don't have to get up, why not hire a Newborn Night Nanny Aka Newborn Care Specialist to do the job for you? I bet you did not know that there were people who made a profession of this? It is almost like they are some sort of newborn nightingale angels.
The basis for this profession is to help new parents get that much needed rest and sleep after the delivery of a new baby. Many parents are not prepared for newborn behavior at night and they are not prepared of the lack of sleep they will receive over the next 12 months.
So, if you happen to be a working parent and need to return to work within the next 6-12 weeks after the birth of your baby, or if you haven’t been able to shut your brain off after the birth, start trying to contact a postpartum doula or a newborn care specialist now to take care of you and your family during the day and at night.
If you find yourself in the early stages of pregnancy start saving now for this much needed expense. It is not free, but you will find that it would be money well spent. Consider it self-care. If you can to save for college or a wedding, you can also save for night services for your sanity and additional sleep.
It is a wake-up call for many when these little cherubs arrive home and you find out that these cute little newborns don’t care if you sleep or not. This can be stressful to new parents. These babies want to get changed fed, burped and rocked to sleep every 2-3 hours. This is extremely exhausting for brand new parents. Birthing a baby is the equivalent of running a marathon. You don’t really sleep after giving birth. Find someone to help now!
Finding the right person to care for your newborn could be a challenge so, do your homework and when you find the right one, don’t procrastinate, hire them immediately! Newborn Care Specialists consists of a small community and the best ones get hired first.
Always check background reports and past references. Trust your gut.
How do I find Newborn Care Specialists?
1. Talk to your friends and family to see if they know someone who has had help after their child’s birth and contact that person for their availability quickly!
2. Ask local moms’ groups, local Facebook groups, local websites (get a list of 10-15 names).
3. Don't hire a novice, hire someone with some grey hairs and alphabets behind their names. You want to look and see how much training, education and money they invested in their profession over the years and that they are serious about their job. You Are Not Hiring a Baby Sitter, you want a highly trained professional who is experienced in recognizing infant developmental milestones, someone who is experienced with well and sick newborns and they should be who they say they are. Fact Check That Resume, Go Over It With A Fine Tooth Comb. Many candidates resumes these days are pure fiction. They lie about their trainings and forge certifications. I would call past clients, schools and the references listed, be very thorough. This is an industry that is not highly regulated so do your homework. If you don’t have the time to do this consider hiring an NCS through a reputable agency like this or contact the Newborn Care Specialist Association to help you fact check those resumes.
4. Make sure they are currently certified in CPR and First Aid. This should be updated every 2 years.
5. Schedule several virtual and face to face meetings. Do not have just one meeting.
6. Don't hire someone because they are cheep. (You Get What You Pay For) This is your flesh and blood and a living part of you. Your baby should be worth the money?
7. A good Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) or agency will have and extensive Q & A for the client. They should verify you just like you are verifying them.
8. Make sure the NCS or agency does extensive background investigations. Do a background check on the agency. Some Agencies are adding fake things to their candidates resumes to make them look better. You can do an investigation yourself for added peace of mind you can contact the Newborn Care Specialist Association Newborn Care specialist Association and ask about a particular NCS or agency. They know the good and the bad seeds and will give you a list of the trusted NCS or agencies in your area. Trust your gut. No one wants to hear hind sight is 20/20 especially when it comes to your newborn.
One more important note about hiring a NCS. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Once you have found the right person, pay their retainer or deposit fee immediately, even if you are not due for another six months or more. These highly trained individuals get snatched up quickly. They only hold space for people who book and pay a deposit early.
Here are some responsibilities of a newborn care specialist that include:
• Feeding the baby/babies
• Bathing baby/babies
• Sterilizing, cleaning and preparing bottles
• Initiating a schedule for sleeping, meals, nap and play-time
• Laundering baby/babies clothing and linens
• Keeping the nursery tidy
• Changing linens
• Maintaining all supplies
• Restocking baby/babies care items
• Emptying diaper containers
• Keeping the baby/baby’s playrooms and bathroom tidy
• Keeping age appropriate toys safe and in good working order
• Keeping a daily journal of baby/babies’ schedules and moods
• Running baby/babies related errands as directed
• Transporting baby/babies to activities and appointments
• Singing, reading, and stimulating activities for the baby/babies
• Lactation support
Preparing formula, cleaning bottles and breast pump parts are required by many parents.
FAQ
What is a typical schedule for a Newborn Care Specialist or Baby Nurse?
Newborn Care Specialists are typically employed full-time; either working 9-12-hour shifts or 24-hour shifts five to seven days a week. Some may work 3-4 days per week. The work week is up to you the parent to decide. They may work morning or evenings. Working nights helps families get the most amount of rest, so they are energized to enjoy their new baby. The Newborn Care Specialist will work with a family to set the baby’s day schedule to best meet a family’s needs. If 24-hour service is requested, a four to six-hour break should be provided to the Infant Specialist during that time. They need to rest too.
How long should I hire a Newborn Care Specialist/Baby Nurse?
It is said by some that hiring a Newborn Care Specialist is a luxury but they are a necessity. We live in a day and age were immediate family members may be scattered across the globe. Hiring extra help after the birth fills a gap that was historically filled by extended members of the family. It is important that you add this expence in your maternity budget. To have the full effect of an Infant Specialist, we recommend that you reserve them for a minimum of four weeks after the birth or up to 3 months and longer, depending on your needs. Families with preemies, twins, triplets, and quadruplets tend to have Newborn Care Specialist’s for a longer period of time. The NCS can discuss your needs and find out how long the service should be provided in order to meet your goals. I have known several people who have transitioned from a newborn specialist into becoming the familie’s full-time nanny.
Is A Newborn Care Specialist Expensive?
Expensive is a relative term. What is expensive to you may be inexpensive to others, like anything that you want to purchase, you should plan for the expense and budget. The average night nanny cost may be between $20-65 per hour depending upon the State you are from or the expertise of the caregiver and how many babies the person is caring for at a time.
How Do I Find a Newborn Care Specialist?
You could ask your family and friends who have just had babies, contact your Pediatrician, Midwife your OBGYN. Ask you church members, local magazines, chat groups or sororities add yourself to local Face Book mom groups, contact the Newborn Care specialist Associatio or just ask Google.
Is There A Payment Difference Between A NCS Who Is Certified vs Non Certified?
Newborn Care Specialists who are certified may cost more because you are getting someone who has taken the time to pay and enroll for extra trainings to be more proficient in their job so that they can be and expert in their field. Certifications equal knowledge and expertise. If they are certified they are vetted by a governing group that they report too and have to sign a Code Of Conduct. If you have any doubts, ask to see a copy of the certification and call the organization to see if the NCS has gone through the trainings and is really certified. Remember I stated that some resumes are fiction. Contact that agency! It is better to be safe than to be sorry.
I wanted a career where I could effectively help families navigate the day to day challenges of taking care of their newborn. I am never too tired to help someone even if you don’t hire me. If I can’t solve your concerns I will help you find someone who can.
Cheryl Abrams has been working as a Certified Postpartum doula and Newborn Care Specialist in the Dallas Metroplex since 2009. She has worked for MotherMe Doulas, Gibson Newborn Care, Hush Little Babies and Harmony Baby Concierge. She is a Certified Newborn Specialist through The Newborn Care Training Academy and is Currently a Postpartum Certified Doula with Austin Baby Guru. She is also a member of the Newborn Care Specialists Association. Her agency is in the Dallas and Fort Worth Texas area and also serves Philadelphia PA, and Chesapeake Beach, MD.
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