A baby nurse is a newborn specialist, an experienced and trained specialist who visits the newborn’s home and conducts an in-home training program for the new parents. This goes on for the days or weeks of the baby’s life, helping the parents get acclimated and acquainting them with a number of tasks that are new to them. A baby nurse will typically be on call 24 hours a day. Sometimes these are nurses that work in shifts, sometimes the same person, who resides in the home.
For all new parents, babies are on-the-job training. Because infants seem so new and fragile, often the first feedings, diaper changes and crying jags can be nerve wracking and even frightening experiences. A baby nurse is a newborn specialist who can take on some of these duties in the beginning, and help teach the parents how to deal with the challenges of a new infant.
There are no particular training requirements for a baby nurse, other than experience. Baby nurses are trained in infant CPR and first aid, and many do have some sort of medical background or have received training in newborn care.
Duties of a Baby Nurse
The role of a newborn specialist depends on the need of the parents. A baby nurse can be a lactation consultant as well as a teacher and coach for both parents. At night when the child awakens, the baby nurse can either bottle feed it or bring the baby to the mother for breast feeding. The goal of this specialist is to have the baby sleeping through the night as quickly as possible.
The baby nurse will establish a feeding and sleeping schedule, getting the newborn oriented to a time table, and will log activities. They will prepare and wash bottles, launder the baby’s clothes, change bedding and bathe the child. Typically she will see to the stocking and disposal of diapers, leaving the changing to the new parent unless asked to do otherwise.
Preparation for a Baby Nurse
Expectant parents generally hire baby nurses through agencies. Requests are made three to six months in advance. An agency will generally have a group of professionals that work with them and often are referred by previous clients. Agencies will also search for baby nurses if they have no “regulars” readily available. If the child has special needs, the agency will find a candidate with experience that matches the need, such as breathing apparatus.
Once the parents have found a baby nurse, they will be in contact leading up to delivery so that the newborn specialist is familiar with any pregnancy difficulties and so that all parties can get acquainted. A baby nurse is a luxury: a partial answer to the universal experience that is described generally as “You have no idea how much this is going to change your life…”For mother who has just delivered, the support of a baby nurse provides some rest and recovery time. For a father who is not used to awakening every three hours, a little help with the night feedings can be a big boost. And for a household that has been totally disrupted, the addition of one calm, organized individual can be an enormous relief.
