Do You Need A Night Nanny

There's no way to prepare new parents for the fatigue, lack of sleep, and resulting irritability they will experience when they bring their new baby home. If the freshly painted nursery is set up for multiples, exhaustion levels will be compounded. Hiring a night nanny, nurse, postpartum doula, or newborn care specialist, may be the answer. What are the benefits vs. the costs? What is a night nanny? 

Night Nannies, Newborn Care Specialists, and Baby Nurses are the same and will typically work a specific overnight shift, and then go home in the morning. The definition of a Baby Nurse can vary depending on what you are looking for. The term Baby Nurse is often used in different parts of the country to describe a Night Nanny. This is different from a licensed RN (Registered Nurse) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) working as a Baby Nurse and providing infant care. Sometimes Baby Nurses or Maternity Nurses will also provide temporary live-in care. All these positions offer care directly following the birth and bring extensive knowledge of basic infant care, and postpartum mother care. "Night nannies typically come into the home later in the evening and are on duty throughout the night to best assist the family," says Becky Kavanagh, co-president of the International Nanny Association.

What should you pay a night nanny?

Night nannies may be a luxury for some families and a necessity for others- Professional night nannies are paid $25-$30+/hour and are booked for temporary or short-term placements (depending on the level of expertise you require as Nurses can command double).

For those families who have no close relatives nearby, or who have demanding, stressful jobs and can't afford to come to work tired, or are postpartum, trying to heal, and needing lactation support to feed your baby — all of this is so hard. A proper rest at night will help you to give your best to your baby and your other responsibilities during the day- it's hard to put a price on that.

What should you look for in a night nanny? While fees vary based upon the experience and certification of the nanny, any professional you hire to care for your newborn should have extensive experience with infants other than their own, to expertly manage sleep training, scheduling, diaper rash, soothing, and nighttime feedings. Some families will require additional support like lactation consultation or to handle colicky babies, reflux, circumcision care, or other issues.

Why do you need a night nanny?

A night nanny, postpartum doula, nurse, and newborn caregiver, will change, swaddle, soothe, and feed babies, caring for them throughout the night so their parents can get some rest. Newborn caregivers help to set a sleep pattern/schedule and they also teach parents how to take care of infants.

What is the nanny-family relationship?

There is a deep sense of satisfaction in helping a family through the early days and witnessing a positive impact on their lives by the time the contract is over. Parents just want to do what is best for their families- having overnight support to help parents during what is usually a sleep-deprived, frazzled time- makes the dynamic between parents and their newborn caregiver, crucial!

Your night nanny, nurse, postpartum doula, or newborn caregiver, may be very experienced, you are the parent and ultimately decide what is best for your baby. Asking 'how' your infant's caregiver will support you, helps determine if you are a fit.

Here is some constructive rationale you can use to take the plunge and hire a night nanny:

1. It can help you both be better parents Night nannies take care of newborns and babies so that their parents can get some much-needed rest. When you are well-rested, you can be your best, both physically and emotionally. Waking up every hour on the hour with your baby makes it complicated to go to work, ready for the day feeling run down, ragged, and miserable. Getting a good night's sleep can set you up for success!

2. It can do wonders for your relationship You might not realize it initially, but losing sleep can put a strain on your relationship. Lack of sleep can make you feel grumpy, anxious, or irritable. A nighttime baby nurse can help relieve some of that friction by lending a helping hand and allowing you both to get a little more sleep.

3. You may learn a thing or two Good, professional nannies come with tons of experience with little ones. They can help give you pointers in all aspects of parenting, including putting your little one on a better schedule to helping with nighttime feedings, lactation support, and diaper changes. In other words, most night nannies are more than happy to pass on their know-how.

5. You don't need an extra room A night nurse, unlike a live-in nanny who requires her own bedroom, will often set up camp right in the baby's nursery. This arrangement lets her snooze as the baby sleeps and get up easily when the little one wakes, all without disturbing your slumber. If the baby has a particularly difficult night- she can take some time during the day to recover as well.