CHARLEY'S CRADLE - Guide to FINDING, SELECTING & PREPARING FOR A BABY NURSE
http://www.charleyscradle.com/
GUIDE TO FINDING, CHOOSING & PREPARING FOR A BABY NURSE
So…your due date is around the corner - you have set up the Nursery – your state-of-the-art stroller is in the hallway…and now you feel that you would really benefit from the help of a Baby Nurse when you come home from the hospital.
Most expectant Moms rely solely on the recommendation of their friends/relatives to connect with a Baby Nurse. If you do not have a NEW MOMMY network to tap into – you then begin GOOGLING “Baby Nurse”, “Child Care”, and “Nanny”. The internet is rich with online resources/communities specific to BABIES, EXPECTANT/NEW MOMS. These sites often have areas/discussions/advertisements dedicated to resources for newborn/infant care. In fact, many sites RATE the quality of Baby Nurses provided.
However, if you are fortunate enough to have a HEALTHY BABY; you do not need a REGISTERED NURSE. Many Nursing Agencies do provide REGISTERED BABY NURSES – but at a very high hourly rate. A healthy baby does not need a REGISTERED NURSE with significant clinical training. A Baby Nurse is most often NOT a REGISTERED NURSE…but instead the title of Baby Nurse is also known as a Newborn Care Specialist and applies to Care Providers with years of experience being a right-arm to new mothers and tending to ALL aspects of day-to-day care for baby. There is a national entity that has created a certification for Baby Nurses and offers courses both in the classroom and online.
In addition to a SINCERE LOVE OF CHILDREN, most Baby Nurses have some type of training/certification relating to BABY CARE:
Infant CPR, sterilization of bottles/breast pumps, umbilical cord care, circumcision care, feeding/breastfeeding, sleep training, set-up & maintenance of Nursery, and more.
In evaluating a service that provides Baby Nurses; you should only contract with agencies that insure their staff meet specific requirements like the ones Charley’s Cradle demands:
- A SINCERE LOVE OF CHILDREN – WARM & COMPASSIONATE PERSONALITY – TREMENDOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL
- A minimum of 5 years of current experience specific to the comprehensive care of newborns/infants
- MUST speak fluent/understandable English
- MUST provide a minimum of 3 professional references willing to be contacted by phone
- Proof of a Physical/Immunizations within the last 12 months
- Proof of all training/certifications related to newborn/infant care
- Proof of US Citizenship – legal US Work Authorization
In addition, you should ONLY contract with agencies that have all required insurances and registrations in place.
Now…you were lucky enough to be referred or to find Charley’s Cradle on your own http://www.charleyscradle.com/ and impressed by our stringent screening and selection process; you decide to contract with us to find your Baby Nurse.
Based upon your unique needs; a search is conducted to find the most suitable MATCH. When evaluating our roster to determine who to introduce; we take into account a variety of information you provide including:
- your location
- your due date or the date you would like to have your Baby Nurse begin
- the scope of responsibilities you expect this individual to handle
- the number of children who require care
- your budget
- the schedule you would like to put in place : full days/overnights, nights only, weekends only, or hourly
- whether you require the Baby Nurse to drive
The above information is only part of the criteria used to select the best Baby Nurse for your needs.
Once this information is gathered, our staff will then work quickly to present up to 3 Baby Nurses for you to choose from. If time permits; we look to schedule/coordinate in-person interviews. Once a selection is made; we will work with you to coordinate a CARE SCHEDULE and payment arrangements.
Charley’s Cradle offers the option of paying the Baby Nurse directly and being invoiced weekly for the SERVICE FEE paid to the agency or having your Baby Nurse on our payroll and having our fee built into the hourly rate.
PREPARING YOURSELF/YOUR HOME FOR A BABY NURSE
It is always a challenge when you open your home to someone that is not a relative or friend. However, there are some basic things you can put into place that will make you and your Baby Nurse comfortable. Understanding their basic expectations and accepted protocol will make this a comfortable/positive experience.
1- You are expected to provide a “private space” or room for the Baby Nurse. Even if the Baby Nurse is not staying overnight – they should have an area designated for them to store their personal effects, dress/change and make a personal call if needed.
2- If the Baby Nurse is staying overnight; you are expected to provide a bed/fold out sofa/futon for them to sleep on. If you have a Nursery – most Baby Nurses will set up shop in the there. Placing a simple air mattress in the room would suffice. If you are comfortable enough to have the baby in the Nursery; this will truly allow for MUCH NEEDED SLEEP for Mom & Dad. Especially if you are breastfeeding; this makes the DIAPER & DELIVER process easy!
3- It is also “understood” that you will provide meals for the Baby Nurse. This typically applies only in those situations where the Baby Nurse is spending the night or working an 8 hour shift or more. If you want to be VERY COURTEOUS, you can ask the Baby Nurse about any diet limitations or preferences. THIS DOES NOT MEAN FILET MIGNON & LOBSTER. Generally, they will be happy with whatever is the family is eating. Snacks/desserts/beverages are at your discretion.
4- It is very important that you make your personal preferences known as well. For example; some babies…just like adults are very sensitive to strong scents. So, it is important to request (prior to the assignment starting) to require the Baby Nurse NOT use any type of scented lotions or perfume.
It is reasonable and common to ask that the Baby Nurse have a pair of INDOOR shoes that are NOT worn outdoors (to avoid bringing dirt or unwanted “stuff” inside the house – especially in the baby’s space. Any rules that you ask visitors to your home observe should be clear to your Baby Nurse.
5- It is also possible & common to have your Baby Nurse start prior to your baby arriving – especially if you have a scheduled C-Section. This can be very valuable in assisting you with last minute preparations. In addition, it’s a great way to “date” your Baby Nurse and make sure you are VERY COMFORTABLE. If needed; would provide for some time to replace.
6- Developing “RULES OF THE HOUSE” that you make very clear to your Baby Nurse. Immediately, you should let them know what areas/rooms are OFF LIMITS, which bathroom(s) and shower(s) are designated for their use. Explaining which rooms it is OK to bring food/beverages into etc. is important. Discussing television viewing/volume – cell phone calls – cell phone RING volume (the last thing you want is for your baby to be awakened by an incoming cell phone call.
7- Don’t just be a SPECTATOR! In addition to providing much needed sleep/rest; your Baby Nurse can be a valuable educational resource. Pay attention to the way they clean/sterilize bottles & other equipment- feed/position your baby - set-up/maintain your Nursery – interact with/entertain your baby – comfort your baby/get them to sleep. There are many TRICKS OF THE TRADE that you can borrow and benefit from, especially if you are a first time parent!
8- Create a “SCHEDULE & JOB DESCRIPTION”. When contracting with Charley’s Cradle; our staff will tend to this! If you contract with a Baby Nurse on your own; it is important to have a written list of duties you want them to tend to. It is not a bad idea to ask that the START TIME be a half hour earlier than you REALLY need. This will offset inevitable delays in mass transit and “stuff” that comes up in the personal life of your Baby Nurse. If you are contracting for a week or more; it is essential to list a start time. You will discuss lunch/dinner breaks and work that out. It is important to understand when the Baby Nurse tends to sleep or nap. Most Baby Nurses will try to catch some Zs overnight when the baby sleeps. A well rested Baby Nurse is a HAPPY & ALERT Baby Nurse!
9- “CASH IS KING”!!! Most Baby Nurses prefer to be paid in CASH! If you are willing to pay the Baby Nurse cash – this could give you some leverage in negotiating rate. This is not to encourage “off the books” arrangements. Some SOPHISTACATED Baby Nurses are well-versed in working as “1099 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS” or have actually incorporated and can invoice for their services. Paying cash does not automatically translate to something “shady” or illegal. It all depends on how the Baby Nurse has structured their business. Charley’s Cradle offers the option for you to have the Baby Nurse on our payroll and be invoiced by the agency weekly or coordinate a fee structure for the agency & payment to our Baby Nurse directly…whatever works best for you.
10- BE PREPARED!!! This is extremely important for your peace of mind. If you choose to hire a Baby Nurse; it is wise to meet/select/reserve them 2-3 months before your due date. You will give yourself ample time to screen candidates & “RESERVE” them! Since Baby Nurses work on an assignment by assignment basis; they are much more comfortable knowing they have GUARANTEED work to look forward to! Once you have made a decision, it is wise to offer a DEPOSIT to insure they do NOT accept any other referrals and clear their schedule. Charley’s Cradle requires a deposit & requires their Baby Nurses to sign a contract committing to the assignment they are booked for or incur a significant FINANCIAL PENALTY. In addition, if you are contracting with a Baby Nurse directly; it is smart to know if they can provide “coverage” for themselves. Can they make sure you have help…if the baby arrives EARLY? Can they make sure you are covered if they get ill or have an emergency? Charley’s Cradle always updates its AVAILABILITY LIST and has relationships with Baby Nurses who are available in HOURS of receiving a call…for exactly these types of situations.
The above listed information is a “snapshot” of things to be aware of and consider when hiring a Baby Nurse. Every situation is unique and every parent is different. Mutual RESPECT is essential to a positive relationship. If you make a GOOD HIRE; the person entering your home will be WARM, UPBEAT & FRIENDLY - making it that much easier to have a stranger in your home caring for your baby. If the Baby Nurse feels welcome & respected; they are far more likely to honor their commitment to you.
TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BABY NURSES AND REFERRALS TO TERRIFIC RESOURCES; PLEASE CONTACT SEAN KOPPELMAN, PRESIDENT – CHARLEY’S CRADLE sean@charleyscradle.com
