What is a Newborn Care Specialist?
A Newborn Care Specialist is an individual trained and skilled in newborn care. Caregivers are more than just nannies, they know the ins and outs of newborn development and have specialized newborn training. They provide unique expertise in all aspects of newborn care, parental education, and support. Their job is to help nurture and care for newborns while providing guidance and education for the parents. A Newborn Care Specialist’s goal is to reassure new parents and help make the transition enjoyable. "Night nurse" and "baby nurse" are outdated terms for what we now call a Newborn Care Specialist, or NCS — people trained to give postpartum help to families. If someone is using the term nurse, they are legally required to be an RN. NCS’s are non-medical personal that will direct you to the appropriate resource such an IBCLC, CLC, Lactation Consultant, Pediatrician etc. if you have a question that is out of scope.
What is a Doula?
Like travel guides in a foreign country, birth and postpartum doulas help support new families through the life changing experience of having a baby! Today, a doula is defined as follows: a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both mother and baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family, while the main focus is on the primary caregiver & new baby(ies)
How do I know what type of services would best fit the needs of my family?
Many factors contribute to finding the right fit. I match best with families that respect my experience, are interested in learning everything from how many diapers to buy, to routines to reading babies cues. Have a busy lifestyle, multiple kiddos or would like someone to get in there & demonstrate a few ways it can be done? My expertise as an NCS, especially overnights are something to consider.
do you teach Safe Sleep and sleeping through the night?
The first few nights are centered around creating a safe sleep environment, safe sleep habits
as outlined by the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) A- Alone, B-Back, C-Crib and creating a routine that works for your family.
I often work on swaddle / sleep sac transition. (Zipadee Zip is a client favorite). If babies needs are met, there is potential of sleeping longer stretches without the need for intervention. “ Sleeping through the night” is going through several sleep cycles and without a feed for a 6 hour stretch. With a typical “bedtime” of 7pm to 8 pm, that means a feed at 6pm and another feed at midnight, and again at 3am or 4am. If sleeping through the night or getting more than 5 hours of sleep per night is important for you or your partner, overnight care might be for you.
When should we contact you?
I prefer to meet when baby is up to around 34 weeks weeks gestation. This gives time to meet prenatally, and set up an estimated start date. Some contact when baby is 3- 4 weeks old, and caregivers know they would benefit from additional help.
Budget is a factor, do you provide gift certificates?
With Be Her Village - anyone can contribute directly to families so they can get the funds they need to pay for the support they deserve. There are no fees, the families receive the cash and can spend it directly on what they need. Contact me to add services to your baby shower or sprinkle, Facebook and more!
Do we have time to chat about baby with you during your shift?
Of Course! Even on night shift, the first and last ten to fifteen minutes of the shift are generally reserved to speak with caregivers. Notes and info graphs are posted in the shared app, so everyone is able to stay on the same page. I welcome questions and look forward to supporting needs when I am on shift, and teaching caregivers what to do once I leave.
What is your cancellation policy?
A non-refundable retainer of the anticipated contract is due upon booking. This is applied to the end of our time together. Due to the nature of this profession, I am typically unable to book another client and reserve time scheduled for your family. I respect your time, and I appreciate the same in return.