What is a Night Nurse – Baby Nurse – Infant Care Specialist ?
- “Night Nurse”, “baby nurse”, or “infant care specialist” are common terms to describe a newborn care provider. A newborn care provider is an expert in newborn care, a great support system and a wonderful resource when you have a new baby.
- Our team of Infant Care Specialists and Registered Nurses provide postpartum education and support to our our families with their newborns and help them get the sleep they so desperately need.
- These providers, are qualified, experienced professionals who will typically work at night, taking over the baby’s care while the parents get some much-needed reset. The credentials and experience of an Infant Care Specialist will vary. We also offer Registered Nurses, Doulas and CNA’s.
What experience does Infant Care Specialists and RN’s have?
- Our team of experienced caregivers all need a minimum of 2 years newborn care experience before they can work with us, they must have a current Flu, TDAP shot, Covid vaccinations and current Infant CPR & first aid.
- We feel so strongly about sending you a qualified caregiver, we wrote a 375 – page manual that our team needs to read and test out on.
- Each caregiver needs to complete a Baby 101 class from one of our NICU nurses, along with a Lactation support class from one of our Lactation counselors. Of course, we check their references and run their background checks as well.
- We treat this as a very important job, and you will not find any agency more committed to your family’s wellbeing.
Do I need a Registered Nurse or an Infant Care Specialist?
- The duties of our Infant Care Specialist providers are the same. Our Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Specialists support parents taking care of their babies during the night.
- Some families prefer to have a Registered Nurse with experience in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and some families don’t need a Registered Nurse and are fine with a Newborn Care Specialist. We have both options available to fit whatever your family’s needs might be.
Why should I have a Night Nurse?
- Knowing that your baby is under the care of the most trusted professionals, allows you to get a good night’s sleep and wake up fresh and well rested the next day!
- Parents who have had a night nurse, say it has allowed them to enjoy every moment as a parent.
- The Infant Care Specialist also offers valuable advice when it comes to newborn care, feeding routines, breastfeeding tips, and geneal reassurance on matters relating to the baby.
What Services does an Infant Care Specialist Provide?
- And Infant Care Specialist has a wealth of information and teaching skills, including healthy sleep habits. An Infant Care Specialist also provides comfort and reassurance to first-time parents – allowing the parents to learn about their baby through the important first weeks of their newborns life.
Other Duties Include:
- Implements healthy sleep habits
- Baths
- Burping techniques
- Feedings
- Lactation support to breastfeeding mothers
- Bottle preparation & cleaning
- Cleaning of breast pump parts & milk storage
- Umbilical and circumcision care
- Babies’ laundry
What is the typical work schedule for a Newborn Care Specialist?
- Minimum of 8 hours up to 12 hours.
- Typical hours are 10pm – 6am, we always accomodate to the family’s needs.
How long do the Newborn Care Specialist stay with us?
- From a few nights to 6 months depending on the needs of the client.
Do you have Newborn Care Specialists that are experienced with multiple births?
- Yes. Twins and Triplets.
When should I begin a Newborn Care Specialist search?
- At least 3-4 months before the birth of the baby if possible.
How will I know what my baby did through the night?
- Besides getting a verbal report from you Infant Care Specialist in the morning, parents will be able to see a detailed log of the baby’s activities including all feedings, diaper changes, etc, that happened during the night.
Do you offer Infant Care Specialist services during the day?
- Yes, we do! We require a minimum of 8 hours per day and the hours are arranged according to your needs.
How long should I have an Infant Care Specialist for?
- Every family is different. Help is crucial during the first three months and parents start weaning according to their needs. Other families have kept an Infant Care Specialist every night for the first 6 months.
- The best thing to do is contact us so we can discuss your individual needs. We will support you as long as you need us. There is no minimum or maximum of nights to utilize our Infant Care Specialists. If you need us, we will do everything we can to accommodate to your needs.
Can I still have an Infant Care Specialist if I am breastfeeding?
- Definitely.
- If you are breastfeeding the Infant Care Specialists will support, you as much as possible throughout the night. She will change the baby and get him/her ready for you to feed. As soon as you are done feeding, the Infant Care Specialist will put the baby back down for you and you can go right back to sleep.
Do you have Gift Certificates available?
- Yes! Give the Gift of Sleep!
- Sleep deprivation can be a difficult part of parenthood. It can increase the risk of postpartum depression, stress, and anxiety.
- What better gift for new parents than a good night sleep! A gift certificate from Sweet Dreams Infant Care makes one of the most greatly appreciated gifts.
