A Night Nurse, also known as a Night Nanny, a Baby Nurse, a Newborn Care Specialist, a Postpartum Doula or an Overnight Caregiver - is an expert in newborn care who assists new or experienced parents during the first few weeks or months of life at home with a baby.
Welcoming a newborn to your life will undoubtedly bring tremendous joy to your family - But no matter how squishy, cuddly and easygoing - without the right support, the first few weeks will bring stress and new challenges that will wear on your physical and mental strength.
Hiring a professional Newborn Care Specialist to support your recovery - especially at night - is a no-brainer.
At Alma, our Care Team comprises maternal and infant health professionals who are best in their fields. They bring experience as Registered Nurses, Lactation Consultants, Postpartum Doulas, Perinatal Support Workers, Personal Support Workers, International Midwives and passionate postpartum caregivers. All have expertise in infant care and development, including feeding, sleep training, CPR and managing multiples, ensuring that Mama is resting and recovering comfortably.
What does a Night Nurse do?
At Alma Care, we start with a well-check on Mama. We ensure that she’s comfortable, hydrated, nourished, and rested. We also discuss her physical and mental recovery and offer suggestions for improving her recovery outcomes.
From there, we support families in all aspects of newborn care, such as:
- Baby feeding
- Guidance on baby-specific health issues, like umbilical cord care, diaper rash, reflux, cradle cap and circumcision, etc.
- Developing healthy sleep habits
- Changing and bathing baby
- Keeping an organized nursery
- Infant laundry
- Keeping sleep, feeding and diaper changing logs
Pro Tip: If you have a sibling at home, a Night Nurse can be of great assistance while you support their routines, like bedtime or heading off to daycare in the morning.
What should I consider when hiring a Night Nurse?
- What kind of recovery do you expect? C-section recoveries can be more physically restrictive, while using the stairs frequently after any birth is cautioned against. Having a Night Nurse to bring your baby to and from your room can allow your body up to 12 hours of recovery time each night.
- Have you / do you expect to have trouble breastfeeding? Having a trained professional to guide you through night feeds with latching, positioning, and hydration can make a world of difference.
- Family needs. A sibling transition, kids home from school for the Summer, or a partner not taking much time off of work are just some of the scenarios that may play a role in your decision and the length of time you’d need support.
Thinking about hiring a Night Nurse? Our team would love to discuss your needs and find the perfect fit for your family. Book a free consultation:HERE
