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. You might still be recovering from delivery or a C-section when you find yourself walking the halls with a crying infant who refuses to sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time and has forgotten how to latch on.
Under these circumstances, hiring a professional baby soother to lend a hand, especially at night, makes perfect sense.
What is a night nurse or baby nurse?
A night nurse or baby nurse is an expert in newborn care who helps new parents during the first few weeks of life at home. Also called "newborn care specialists," they typically work at night, feeding and changing the baby so the parents can get some much-needed rest.
While they’re called baby nurses, they may — or may not — be 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.
Some baby nurses are hired by frantic parents during the first few weeks after birth, and others get booked well in advance, visiting the parents-to-be in the hospital and sometimes accompanying them home with the baby. Baby nurses usually help for a few weeks, though some are retained for months. Most work the overnight shift, but some are hired for round-the-clock help.
When deciding to hire a night nurse, make sure you match your candidate to your family's needs. There are many specialists who work with families and are knowledgeable about infant development and basic eating, sleeping and care, but not all are baby nurses.
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For example, the role of night nurse or baby nurse is distinct from that of a postpartum doula (who helps new moms recover from birth and adjust to parenthood) or a baby nanny who will remain with the family as the baby grows up.
What does a night nurse do?
Baby nurses support families in all aspects of newborn care, such as:
- Baby feeding, including bringing the baby to Mom for breastfeeding, preparing bottles and helping with latching on or pumping if needed
- Dealing with baby-specific health issues, like cradle cap, circumcision, umbilical cord care, diaper rash, reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Soothing the baby and encouraging regular sleep habits
- Changing and bathing baby
- Organizing the nursery and doing baby's laundry
- Keeping a log of sleeping, feeding and changing times to help the family develop a schedule
Night nurses generally don't do household chores unrelated to baby care, nor are they there to babysit older siblings. You also shouldn't rely on a night nurse to diagnose any potential health issues; you'll still want to raise any questions with your pediatrician as they come up.
What are the benefits of a baby nurse?
A baby nurse can help parents, especially new moms, navigate the first hectic, overwhelming weeks with a baby. The biggest benefit is that they allow you to sleep, which is a necessity, not a luxury. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation can increase a new mom's risk for postpartum depression and inhibit her ability to bond with the baby.
Baby nurses can also teach new parents the ropes, especially if they don't have family close by. And baby nurses can help you handle a growing family. Some parents hire them to help with newborns so they have time and energy to care for older siblings. Baby nurses can also be lifesavers for new parents of multiples or babies with medical conditions that require special care.
How much does a night nurse cost?
Baby nurses can cost $200 a night or even more, depending on their hours, level of education, responsibilities, the area of the country where you live and whether you hire one through an agency. Their day rates can run between $350 and $700 depending on their level of experience and whether you have one baby or twins, or they may charge $18 to $30 an hour. They're not cheap, but they can be worth it to overwhelmed new parents.
How do I find a good baby nurse?
The best way to find a good baby nurse is to ask the nurses at the hospital where you delivered for referrals. Your practitioner or pediatrician may also have suggestions.
Word-of-mouth among friends is also a popular way to find a good baby nurse, although you will want to check your candidate's references and credentials, and make sure your baby nurse is experienced and certified in CPR and first-aid. The Newborn Care Specialist Association and the International Nanny Association are also good resources for finding qualified overnight helpers, as are reputable local placement agencies.
Are there any downsides?
Many families who hire a baby nurse say it was one of the best decisions they made, despite the cost. The one downside is that some new moms would have preferred to have a supportive partner, parent or sibling to help with the first few weeks of new parenthood, rather than hiring a night nurse. Nonetheless, reviews of baby nurses tend to be overwhelmingly positive.
Is hiring a baby nurse right for me? Things to keep in mind
Hiring a baby nurse is a big decision that depends a lot on your needs and what kind of recovery you'll have. If you had an easy labor and delivery, have a partner or family member at your side ready to help, and plan to breastfeed full-time, you may not need a night nurse. Social and cultural attitudes may factor in as well.
Some parents say hiring a baby nurse gave them incredible peace of mind and allowed them to enjoy every moment as a new parent. Others say they wouldn't want a stranger interfering with the parent-infant bond. The bottom line is that it's a personal choice, and one you have to make with your partner if you have one to determine whether it's right for you and an expense you're willing to take on.
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