Frequently Asked Questions

A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is highly trained and skilled in Newborn Care, she knows all about newborn development and has specialized training. An NCS will usually work with your family from day one up to the first two to three months of your baby’s life and is dedicated to providing you with the support needed to help you adjust to caring for your baby. Your NCS will be there to nurture and care for your newborn while providing guidance and education to you, the parent on issues such as safe sleeping, developing healthy sleep habits, proper bathing techniques, circumcision care, managing problems such as reflux and more.

Baby Nurse is an old phrase that was given to a person who came into the home and cared for a newborn and was also used in place of the title Newborn Care Specialist. The problem with this term is that it is illegal to use the term “nurse “ in your title if you are not a licensed nurse. It is unfortunate that some people are calling themselves “Baby Nurses” when in fact they do not have any medical training and upon further research you will find that many of these ladies do not have any formal training in newborn care. Please be sure to check the credentials of any person you hire to care for your baby especially if they identify as a Baby Nurse. For more information about distinguishing between a Baby Nurse and a Newborn Care Specialist please visit the ​​​​International Nanny Association’s website by clicking here….http://nanny.org/baby-nurse-vs-ncs/ The title Night Nurse is the same as the Baby Nurse title except that the Night Nurse comes only at night. If you have a medically fragile baby and feel you need a licensed Baby/Night Nurse please be sure to check their credentials.

First time parents, parents that are having multiples, moms who have other small children, especially toddlers, to chase around all day, women who know they will be having a C-section and want to have the support upon coming home from the hospital, and professional women who are returning to demanding jobs. Also, many families today do not have family living close by and will often hire a Newborn Care Specialist to provide education and wisdom that will set them up for success.

An NCS educates parents on how to care for their baby/babies. Other duties might include but are not limited to; establishing healthy sleep habits, sterilizing, cleaning and preparing bottles, bringing baby to mom to breastfeed, sterilizing and cleaning pump parts, soothing baby back to sleep, feeding and changing the baby/babies, maintaining feeding and sleep logs, and tidying the nursery.

Most Newborn Care Specialists work overnight (10pm-6am) or 24 hours a day with a 4-6 hour break. Overnight care is designed to help parents get more sleep while the Newborn Care Specialist tends to the baby and as time goes on she will very gently teach your baby how to sleep longer stretches so that when you time is finished your baby will be sleeping through the night (8-12 hours by 8-12 weeks) Your NCS will also be able to educate and assist you by answering any questions that come up throughout the day, making suggestions and giving instructions to help you manage the day-to-day tasks and routines with your baby/babies. 24 hour care is a temporary live-in situation where your NCS will be there to assist you in the day and night time care of your baby, whether you just want your NCS standing by making recommendations or if you prefer her to have a more hands on approach with the baby is your decision, most will customize their services to fit your needs.

If you are breastfeeding your baby the Newborn Care Specialist will bring the baby to you for feeding and take the baby when you are finished giving you more time to rest while she burps, change diapers and get your baby back to sleep, or if you prefer you can pump and leave the milk for the NCS to feed your baby. Giving a bottle of pumped milk at least once during the night shift is a wonderful option as it will allow mom to get better rest and milk supply is maintained by using a pumping routine to compensate for the missed nursing session.