One of the hardest things to handle as a new parent is the sleepless, stressful nights with a newborn baby. Overnight newborn care is a significant challenge even for experienced parents with family living nearby for support.
However, a night nurse can alleviate much of that pressure so parents can take the best care of themselves and savor the simple joys of newborn life.
To help parents consider this option, we answer the questions “What is a night nurse?” and “What does a night nurse do?” in this Pavillion Agency article.
What Is a Night Nurse?
A night nurse is a trained professional who helps parents with overnight newborn care. They are infant experts who support parents with nighttime duties so that parents can get sleep and the breaks they need to be healthy and happy.
Registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified newborn care specialists often work as night nurses. Some professionals work as baby nurses both day and night, while others only provide nighttime care.
What Does a Night Nurse Do?
Night nurses help with all aspects of baby care during the night. They feed babies with breastmilk or formula provided by the parents. They handle diaper changes and soothe babies when they have wet or dirty diapers.
A night nurse also monitors the baby’s sleep to ensure the little one is always comfortable and safe. They may rock a baby back to sleep in a rocking chair, read books and sing to the baby, or walk around the nursery holding the baby until sleep finally comes once again.
Additionally, a night nurse may help parents with sleep training or healthy sleep routines so that parents can establish a regular schedule on their own in the future.
Benefits of Hiring a Night Nurse
There are many reasons to hire a night nurse to help you with your baby, even if you don’t need a full-time nanny or daycare right now.
With a night nurse, parents can get uninterrupted sleep to do their day jobs well and care for their babies during the daytime. Night nurses help parents reduce stress and give babies extra love and attention to support their growth and development.
These newborn professionals are also beneficial because they can provide critical information and guidance on various newborn topics. Parents often appreciate night nurses’ assistance with breastfeeding advice, understanding sleep patterns, recognizing illness symptoms, and general safety tips.
Scheduling and Coordinating with Your Night Nurse
Most parents hire a night nurse for the first eight to 12 weeks of a newborn’s life. This is a huge transition time when additional support is welcome and necessary.
Consider scheduling your night nurse to arrive shortly before your baby’s bedtime to assist with the nighttime routine and stay through the time you wake up for the day the next morning.
How to Hire a Night Nurse
It is essential to hire a qualified, trustworthy, and experienced night nurse for your baby’s care and your peace of mind. Carefully check potential candidates’ background, training, past work experience, and references. Meet with your potential night nurse in person to ensure compatibility with care styles and discuss scheduling and compensation upfront.
Pavillion is here to help you find a night nurse you trust and are comfortable with. We connect qualified and vetted night nurses with families seeking support, relief, and confidence in newborn care.
Please tell us about your newborn’s nighttime needs so that we can start searching for the ideal night nurse candidate. With Pavillion on your side, you can rest easy knowing your baby is in good hands every night.
