Caring for a newborn, establishing sleep schedules, and navigating the many challenges of being a new parent is no easy task, especially when you’re sleep-deprived! It’s no secret that having a newborn interferes with the number of hours of sleep you get each night and the quality of that sleep. In fact, if you ask a new parent how they’re feeling, 9 times out of 10, their answer will be “tired”. Fortunately, there’s a solution for that — hire a Night Nanny!
So, what is a Night Nanny?
You are likely familiar with a traditional Nanny, someone who is hired to care for children throughout the day while the parents are at work or otherwise occupied. A Night Nanny, on the other hand, is hired to care for newborns and infants throughout the night, allowing new parents to get some much needed rest, so that they are better able to function and care for their little one throughout the day.
Night Nannies typically work with a family starting from the day their newborn arrives and/or is brought home from the hospital, and stays for the first 8 to 12 weeks. They often arrive at the family’s home in the evening, provide child care throughout the night, and then leave the following morning. Night Nannies provide all aspects of infant care during the night, including bottle-feeding and nursing help, burping, changing diapers and bathing, and any other infant care-related duties, as needed. They also help to establish good feeding and sleeping habits in infants, and can help implement a regular sleep schedule.
Why do I need one?
Many new parents report not being able to sleep through the night, not just because their infant isn’t sleeping soundly, but also because they are concerned about their infant stopping breathing in the middle of the night or suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). With a Night Nanny, you have the peace of mind of knowing that your little one is safe and being cared for by someone who is trustworthy and qualified, allowing you to get a few hours of restful sleep. In addition, Night Nannies have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and can help support and educate new parents as they navigate the challenges of parenthood. Finally, they can help infants establish habits that will help make the parents’ lives easier in the long term.
What’s the difference between a Night Nanny and a Newborn Care Specialist?
Newborn Care Specialists are highly specialized and trained child care professionals who focus on the care and well being of newborn infants. They are trained and certified to care for newborns, and often work independently with minimal guidance from parents, either during overnight shifts or around the clock care (usually a 20-hour shift). They may also have experience working with preemies and multiples, which many Night Nannies do not. In addition to the child care services that a Night Nanny provides, Newborn Care Specialists are familiar with behaviours, appearance, and general care of newborns, and are able to understand and recognize signs of possible food allergies, intolerances, and reflux in newborns, and know ways to help. They also have an understanding of Postpartum Mood Disorders, can recognize them, and confidently address them as they arise.
A Newborn Care Specialist can help new parents by providing support with sleeping, feeding, and infant development during the first few months. They can also set up and execute a successful plan for getting your newborn to sleep through the night and nap well. Newborn Care Specialists also understand the value of, and can support, a breastfeeding or chestfeeding parent. Most importantly, Newborn Care Specialists can help educate and build up parents’ confidence in carrying out their newborn, while also supporting their values.
If you’re interested in hiring a Night Nanny or Newborn Care Specialist to help care for your little one, Click here.