A Nanny Match Blog

Hiring a Newborn Care Specialist or Baby Nurse

A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), once known as a Baby Nurse, is a childcare professional trained and certified in newborn and infant care. They provide expertise in all aspects of caring for an infant and provide education and support for parents. 

What services does a Newborn Care Specialist provide?

Newborn Care Specialists work 24 shifts or overnight shifts from approximately 7 pm - 7 am. They are typically scheduled for 5-7 days a week.

Their job responsibilities include:

• Overnight childcare

• Sleep training

• Creating and maintaining a nap/eat/play schedule for the baby.

• Preparing and sterilizing the baby’s bottles and equipment

• Bottle-Feeding or helping mom with breastfeeding and getting the baby back down to sleep after each feeding

• Lactation support

• Changing Diapers

• Restocking baby care items and maintaining all supplies

• Cleaning and changing the baby’s bedding and linens

• Baby’s laundry.

• Bathing and dressing

• Keeping a daily journal of babys’ schedules and moods

• Singing, reading, and stimulating activities for the baby/babies

• Educating parents about safety precautions 

• Helping to set up the nursery and a safe environment for the baby

• Supporting the parents

A Newborn Care Specialist will create a nurturing and stimulating environment for the baby during the daytime. 

Unique skills of a seasoned newborn care specialist include:

• They create a unique routine that works best for each baby’s needs.

• Alternative feeding methods

• Support with Bonding

• Psychological development

• Hands-on experience with reflux, GERD, eczema, and other common ailments 

• Experience with multiples and how to accommodate twins or triplets. 

• Experience working with premature babies.

• Experience caring for infants with special needs.

 

How much does a Newborn Care Specialist cost?

Rates vary based on location, experience, the number of babies, and other factors. The current average rate for a 24-hour shift is approximately $450 - $650 or more per day. The average rate is approximately $30-40 an hour for overnights.

 

What is the difference between a Baby Nurse and Newborn Care Specialist?

Many people refer to Newborn Care Specialists and Baby Nurses, but the term “Baby Nurse” should only apply to those carrying a valid nursing license. Individuals with backgrounds as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can be available to work with families who have babies with medical conditions that present life-threatening risks to the infant.

A Newborn Care Specialist is trained and certified in the best practices for safe and effective newborn care. They have earned a certification in newborn care and they are CPR and First Aid certified. 

 

The Value of an NCS

Most parents will agree that a full night of sleep alone is well worth the cost of an NCS if they can afford it. But it’s more than that. 

Pregnancy and birth are painful and exhausting. A newborn baby needs to be changed, fed, burped and rocked to sleep every 2-3 hours. That leaves no time for rest and recovery. 

We live in a society where many people don’t have family members easily accessible to help with a new baby. A great NCS can help fill a gap that was historically filled by extended members of the family. 

A great NCS offers compassionate and professional support.  We have many clients that still keep in touch with their NCS/Baby Nurses, years after their babies are grown. The support the NCS offered was invaluable to them. 

 

Common Questions Answered:

1. How long in advance should they be booked? NCSs typically book themselves out 4-6 months in advance. A good time to start looking is 6 months in advance of the due date. 

2. How long is a typical contract? 2 to 3 months.

3. Are the dates flexible? Somewhat. A responsible NCS will create a schedule that allows for some room in their schedule for early or late arrivals, as well as some extra room at the end of the contractual agreement. 

4. How are they secured? With a retainer. There is a small community of highly trained Newborn care specialists and they are in high demand. They can only reserve a space in their calendar for clients who pay a deposit. Most professionals require a work agreement as well. 

5. How does the NCS eat while staying with us? Parents will usually offer the meals prepared for themselves or order online, and the NCS is typically asked what groceries/snacks she would like in the home during her stay. 

6. How do I find an NCS/Baby Nurse? The most common and safest methods of finding an NCS are through friends/family or a reputable agency.

7. Can I speak with their references? Checking references is imperative. A good agency will thoroughly vet the NCS and speak to their references before introducing them to you, but once parents decide on the NCS they’d like to hire, we encourage parents to speak directly with their references for extra peace of mind. 

 

We are proud to work with some of the most sought-after Newborn Care Specialists in New York. If you are a parent seeking more information, please don't hesitate to reach out https://www.anannymatch.com/families/

If you are an NCS and would like to apply to A Nanny Match, please apply here: https://www.anannymatch.com/nannies/