A NEWBORN SPECIALIST/BABY NURSE

A Newborn Specialist/Baby Nurse is commonly called a baby nurse. He or she comes to your home during the critical first months of your baby’s life. A Newborn Specialist/Baby Nurse provides professional assistance with gentleness, skill, and expertise to assure a good transition for you, your family, and your newborn.

A Newborn Specialist/Baby Nurse can be responsible for the following duties (and more):

• Feeding, bathing, and changing your infant
  
• Preparation of bottles and washing/cleaning/sterilizing
  
• Routine development for meals, napping, and play time
  
• Sleep training and development
  
• Development of social and interactive activities that can stimulate brain development and provide comfort
  
• Baby related errands
  
• Assuring a safe environment
  
• Lactation support
  
• Overnight care to enable you to get your rest
  
• Advising and providing any requested consultation and support on parenting issues and infant needs

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

A properly trained, experienced baby nurse will be able to provide value to your home through your experience with them. A skilled baby nurse will have knowledge of child development and cognitive skills for each age of a child’s growth. They will be sensitive to the needs of your child and be responsive when your infant is uncomfortable or in need of care.

When looking for a baby nurse, look at her prior positions, references, call her former employers, and ask the following questions when you interview:

• How many years experience do you have?
  
• What qualifies you for this position?
  
• How do you feel about children, and caring for someone else’s family?
  
• Are you certified in first aid and CPR?
  
• How can you enhance my home life during this time period?

RETAINING A NEWBORN SPECIALIST/BABY NURSE

A Newborn Specialist/Baby Nurse will generally be retained for the first week or the first three to six months after the baby is born (and sometimes beyond), but consultation can begin before the baby comes in order to assist you in getting prepared for the upcoming event. All preparations enable you to have an easier transition to this new addition to your family. In some cases, care is extended beyond that first six months.

BENEFITS OF A NEWBORN SPECIALIST/BABY NURSE

A Newborn Specialist/Baby Nurse can promote the mental and physical well being of the baby and the mother through providing nighttime care, feeding and changing, schedule/routine development for sleeping and waking, immediate care during stressful crying periods, and assistance with any baby related concerns or physical care needs.