Whether you’re a brand new or seasoned parent, the first six weeks after giving birth are often very challenging—so challenging that it’s usually referred to as the 4th trimester! It can often feel like there are not enough hands to carry the load—especially in households with multiple children. The work that goes into caring for a newborn never ends; often, the best option is to hire someone to assist you during this time and help you thrive. It’s possible to get either temporary or permanent assistance with newborn care or additional family support. Check out some of the great options below for postpartum care services!
Postpartum Care Doulas
Postpartum Doulas are experts in all things newborn and the many complexities of welcoming your baby home. This can look like guidance in best practices for breast and bottle feeding, sleeping, emotional and physical recovery, and more! They can also help with light housework, meal prepping, and assisting the whole family to adjust to the new little one. There are many benefits to hiring a postpartum care doula with one of the biggest being hands-on support so parents, specifically post-partum mothers, can relax and let their bodies heal. Having someone to take the reins in a time like this can ease stress and create a warmer environment for new parents and the baby. This leads to overall better health for everyone.
The information doulas can teach can help not just in the first few weeks but long after and for any future children. The cost of hiring a doula depends greatly on their background and experience, the type of support you need, and where you reside. High-cost-of-living areas will naturally have high costs for services, and in places like New York City or San Francisco, doulas may be charging anywhere from $35-50+ an hour. It is also possible they may charge based on services offered and what care package a family may choose.
Lactation Consultants
A lactation consultant can be invaluable in postpartum care while your newborn is learning how to nurse. These professionals offer support with breastfeeding and ensure you and your baby are as comfortable as possible during this process. They can help with challenges such as hyperlactation, mastitis, painful nipples, latching difficulties, and more. Lactation consultants can also help your baby’s overall health and wellness by checking weight gain, creating a feeding schedule, and educating you on all this and more! Consultants typically charge per session and can range from $100-500.
Newborn Care Specialists, Baby Nurses, and Night Nurses
Newborn Care Specialists (NCS), baby nurses, and night nurses are three terms often used interchangeably in postpartum care. While a night nurse (or “night nanny”) typically works during the night so parents can get much-needed rest, this is also handled by both baby nurses and NCSs. It is standard for the latter two to also handle daytime care, most often sleeping when the baby sleeps and getting a break during the day. They handle quite a lot including feeding, diapering, dressing, bathing, sleep training, umbilical and circumcision care, lactation consulting, light housework and laundry related to your new baby, such as sterilizing bottles, etc., and treating unique needs that may arise (i.e. reflux).
NCSs, baby nurses, and night nurses also usually keep logs of the baby’s bowel movements (yes, really!), sleeping, feeding, and changing patterns/ needs to help the family create a routine and track a child’s health needs and development. Many of these professionals are also trained medically, which can be especially helpful for newborns who need extra medical support, like babies born prematurely.
They are Trained and Certified Specialists in Postpartum Care
It is common for a family to hire one of these three to assist with the first 6 weeks to 6 months of a baby’s life- sometimes longer. Newborn Care Specialists have also received training and certification that grants them the ability to use this title. It is important to note that these types of candidates are responsible for infant care and infant care only- they do not assist in the home, care for older children, or handle duties for parents. Again, similar to the above, the cost of this type of support depends on a person’s background and credentials. Most Newborn Care Specialists, baby nurses, and night nurses will be anywhere in the $35-75/hr range or higher. They may also charge a flat daily rate based on your family’s needs and it is important to remember that costs will go up if you have multiples.
Family Assistant
Family assistants can keep a home in order when everything feels like it’s turning upside down. While you focus on recovery and the newest member of the family, family assistants are there to take care of the whole household’s needs. Some of their job responsibilities usually include scheduling appointments/ maintenance, running errands like grocery shopping, assisting with pet care, light meal prep, organization, and helping out with older kiddos who may no longer need hands-on care but may still require supervision, transportation, educational support, and more. A family assistant usually starts at around $40/hr, depending on the duties, number of children, their background, level and type of education, and your family’s location.
Live-in Nanny
Live-in nannies are pretty straightforward—nannies that live in! This can be an excellent option for families with early mornings or late nights, such as physicians, where a commute may be difficult to navigate. By living in, nannies can quickly bond and become a part of the family. While it’s crucial to maintain a reasonable schedule, live-in nannies also offer more flexibility than one who may have to commute to/ from your home every day. This can come in handy with last-minute trips where you may need overnight care.
It is important to remember that if you are considering hiring a nanny to live in your home, they are not trading their services for housing expenses and still need their own space. Nannies are career professionals, and, more often than not, hiring an employee to live in-home best suits the employer. An experienced live-in nanny will likely start at $30/hr gross for one child in major cities like NYC but, again, can increase depending on their background or your family’s needs. When hiring a live-in nanny, it is also good to consider whether or not you want someone who only lives in when working (i.e. Monday through Friday) and goes home on days off or, if your family can offer 7-day accommodations.
Finding You the Best Postpartum Care
A reminder that is very common for some applicants to be a mix of the above – a Postpartum care Doula may also be a lactation specialist and certified Newborn Care Specialist. A nanny may also be a Newborn Care Specialist and doula. It’s all about figuring out where you may need the most support. The first few weeks after labor can be difficult but infinitely more manageable with the right type of help. Finding someone to assist in the home can ease stress and help parents and children return to standard sleep patterns, manage stress levels, and improve overall health! If you’d like to learn more about what one of our childcare specialists can do for your family, please reach out to us today at info@nannyauthority.com or (973) 466 2669.