Frequently Asked Questions

Women who come into your home during the postpartum period or fourth trimester to care for the newborn, used to be called baby nurses. It is an old term used from Europe and still widely known and used today. Currently, we are now called Newborn Care Specialist. The only women allowed to officially use the term Baby Nurse are those that are actually registered nurses R.N. or Licensed vocational/practical nurse, L.V.N. or L.P.N. Generally speaking, you only need a Baby nurse IF you have a sick baby coming home and you prefer to have a R.N. or LVN. For healthy newborns or even preemies that are well enough to go home, using a Newborn Care Specialist is adequate. Remember, your newborn care specialist,  comes to you with extensive experience, a wealth of knowledge, and outstanding references. Be sure you check all this out as well as her background before employing her. That is the parents and agency’s responsibility. Make sure she is either a Newborn Care specialist, Baby Nurse, or Postpartum Doula with Newborn extensive training. You don’t want a nanny agency sending you a nanny just to fill the position because often nannies don’ have the extensive training for newborns of the first 3months of life. Their experience is usually with older infants and young children. Know their education training and experience first.

The word “Doula” is taken from a Greek term, (pronounced DOOOLA) and has come to refer to a woman who helps new mothers in ways that family and friends did years ago.

Many women today are waiting until their careers are in place before having children. Let’s face it, babies don’t come with instructions; a woman in the workplace handles crises all day long, but when she comes home from the hospital for the first time with that tiny little bundle of joy, PANIC can strike quickly! New families aren’t always fortunate enough to have “grandma” near by to lend a helping hand. That’s where your doula comes in to save the day. There are two kinds of doulas: childbirth and postpartum. Childbirth doulas specialize in supporting expectant moms through labor and delivery, at their side constantly. A postpartum doula can come into your home after arriving from the hospital and help a new mom with breastfeeding. She can correct the positioning of the baby, and answer questions about newborn care. She can demonstrate to new parents how to properly swaddle their newborn, run errands, look for early jaundice on the baby, make a referral to the pediatrician, prepare a meal for the family and perform basic chores, thus enabling mom to get the much needed rest so she may truly recover from just giving birth. It can really help cut down on her chances of postpartum depression. Your doula is there to “mother the mother.”

Hiring a doula could be the answer for many new mothers. She can put your mind at ease and help you through that huge adjustment period. When dad returns to work, or grandma needs to fly back home, you will feel comfortable being left alone to care for your newborn.

Each baby nurse sets their own rate based on their expertise, experience, number of Infants (single, twins, triplets) being cared for, and what is required for each family. If hiring a night nanny, make sure the Nanny agency is sending you what you are in need of. Ask about her sleep training skills. You may not want a sleep trainer but just a person to mind the baby while you sleep.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Breastfeeding support
• Bottle preparation and cleaning
• Bathing
• Baby’s laundry
• Feeding
• Keeping a daily diary or log of baby’s feedings, changes, and nap schedules
• Changing crib and table linens
• Restocking infant supplies and diapers
• Emptying diaper pail
• Keeping nursery tidy
• Comfort measures of swaddling and rocking