Helpful articles
Here are some tips that may help as you and your baby find a rhythm and routine. You'll also find highlights on some of my favorite resources for new parents.
Who is a Newborn Care Specialist?
The terms "Baby Nurse,” “Night Nanny” and “Newborn Care Specialist” have all been used to describe those who assist new parents with their newborns. All of these terms are often used interchangeably. Although all three of these positions do have some common roles, in reality there is a vast difference between each of their duties. Understanding the differences can help make it easier for families to identify which would be the best fit for their family.
A “Baby Nurse” is a registered RN or LPN who comes into a home to care for a newborn with medical issues. This can be very beneficial for those families who are facing the additional challenges of caring for a newborn with medical conditions.
A “Night Nanny” typically comes into a home at night to tend to a newborn. They are usually limited in their education in newborn issues and are simply responsible for following their client’s instructions. While this arrangement allows the parents to get much needed sleep, it limits the education that the parent's receive on how to properly care for their newborn. Unfortunately, many well-meaning parents instruct their “Night Nanny” to follow practices that are not in the best interest of their newborn’s development. These practices often have consequences that can lead to frustration for the newborn and the families for many months or even years down the road.
A “Newborn Care Specialist” (NCS) has received an education in newborn care and related issues. Their knowledge includes but is not limited to: Formulas and breastfeeding, understanding how to effectively set up a routine that fits the family’s lifestyle, ability to interpret and adequately respond to the baby’s needs, establish healthy sleep habits, know and identify different diaper rashes and treatments, circumcision care, how to relieve symptoms from reflux and colic, swaddling techniques, self-soothing techniques, and ultimately how to effectively set up the family for success. They will be experienced in preemies, multiples and babies with special needs. A "Newborn Care Specialist", will generally work with a family for as little as one week or as long as three months. A "Newborn Care Specialist" can provide the parents with much needed sleep at night, educate the parents on essential newborn care instructions, and be there to give ongoing support and advice. Most NCS are available at night, during the day, or even 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most "Newborn Care Specialists" will provide sleep training services. Upon the culmination of this service and usually by the time the baby is 3 months old, the baby will be sleeping 10-12 hours a night.
An experienced Newborn Care Specialist is a wonderful asset to a family. Their experience and expertise can make a difference for nursing moms and tired parents. Their knowledge can help a family gracefully walk through the first few months of having a new baby. Leaving the end result of a baby who has great sleep habits and a predictable daily routine.
It is strongly recommended to conduct a complete background and reference check on any “Baby Nurse,” “Night Nanny” or “Newborn Care Specialist". There are different levels of skills and qualifications among them all. Some have very little education while others are highly educated with advanced certification and experiences. The right caregiver for your family will be the one whose background and qualifications match your needs, but also the one with whom you'll all be most comfortable during an intimate transition in life. Speak or meet with them and ask plenty of questions to get a good feel for their personality and professional demeanor.
A “Baby Nurse” is a registered RN or LPN who comes into a home to care for a newborn with medical issues. This can be very beneficial for those families who are facing the additional challenges of caring for a newborn with medical conditions.
A “Night Nanny” typically comes into a home at night to tend to a newborn. They are usually limited in their education in newborn issues and are simply responsible for following their client’s instructions. While this arrangement allows the parents to get much needed sleep, it limits the education that the parent's receive on how to properly care for their newborn. Unfortunately, many well-meaning parents instruct their “Night Nanny” to follow practices that are not in the best interest of their newborn’s development. These practices often have consequences that can lead to frustration for the newborn and the families for many months or even years down the road.
A “Newborn Care Specialist” (NCS) has received an education in newborn care and related issues. Their knowledge includes but is not limited to: Formulas and breastfeeding, understanding how to effectively set up a routine that fits the family’s lifestyle, ability to interpret and adequately respond to the baby’s needs, establish healthy sleep habits, know and identify different diaper rashes and treatments, circumcision care, how to relieve symptoms from reflux and colic, swaddling techniques, self-soothing techniques, and ultimately how to effectively set up the family for success. They will be experienced in preemies, multiples and babies with special needs. A "Newborn Care Specialist", will generally work with a family for as little as one week or as long as three months. A "Newborn Care Specialist" can provide the parents with much needed sleep at night, educate the parents on essential newborn care instructions, and be there to give ongoing support and advice. Most NCS are available at night, during the day, or even 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most "Newborn Care Specialists" will provide sleep training services. Upon the culmination of this service and usually by the time the baby is 3 months old, the baby will be sleeping 10-12 hours a night.
An experienced Newborn Care Specialist is a wonderful asset to a family. Their experience and expertise can make a difference for nursing moms and tired parents. Their knowledge can help a family gracefully walk through the first few months of having a new baby. Leaving the end result of a baby who has great sleep habits and a predictable daily routine.
It is strongly recommended to conduct a complete background and reference check on any “Baby Nurse,” “Night Nanny” or “Newborn Care Specialist". There are different levels of skills and qualifications among them all. Some have very little education while others are highly educated with advanced certification and experiences. The right caregiver for your family will be the one whose background and qualifications match your needs, but also the one with whom you'll all be most comfortable during an intimate transition in life. Speak or meet with them and ask plenty of questions to get a good feel for their personality and professional demeanor.
My Beliefs and Methods
I believe that most babies have the ability to sleep through the night (10-12 hours) by the age of 12 weeks. I believe that newborns instinctively have the ability to "self-soothe" and will gradually stretch the amount of time in between feedings at night, if their environment allows them this opportunity. This is the key to sleep learning!
I teach parents how to help their newborn develop their natural abilities. Parents often unknowingly counteract their newborn's abilities by not recognizing some of their signs, therefore interfering with the process. Let’s get you the positive fundamentals from the beginning, so you are able to enjoy your new baby and by-pass frustrations that new families face.
If your baby is older, there are a variety of sleep learning and training methods that we can use, depending on your family’s goals and values. I believe in using non-cry sleep training methods whenever possible. However, each approach is chosen based on the needs of the family and what is developmentally going to meet the needs of the baby.
I specialize in using 'An Early No Cry Sleep Learning Method'. I can have your baby sleeping 12 hours through the night by 12 weeks of age, using a developmentally appropriate sleep learning method that is slow and gradual. Why not teach your baby great sleep habits from the beginning?
I teach parents how to help their newborn develop their natural abilities. Parents often unknowingly counteract their newborn's abilities by not recognizing some of their signs, therefore interfering with the process. Let’s get you the positive fundamentals from the beginning, so you are able to enjoy your new baby and by-pass frustrations that new families face.
If your baby is older, there are a variety of sleep learning and training methods that we can use, depending on your family’s goals and values. I believe in using non-cry sleep training methods whenever possible. However, each approach is chosen based on the needs of the family and what is developmentally going to meet the needs of the baby.
I specialize in using 'An Early No Cry Sleep Learning Method'. I can have your baby sleeping 12 hours through the night by 12 weeks of age, using a developmentally appropriate sleep learning method that is slow and gradual. Why not teach your baby great sleep habits from the beginning?
In-home vs. Virtual Sleep Consultations
I am an International sleep consultant. I have successfully completed over 1,000 phone/skype sleep consultations.Typically, I can solve a client’s sleep issue in one 60-minute consultation. Some clients elect for one or two follow-up sessions. I have also completed over 600 in-person home consultations. My client base has grown by a word of mouth campaign of happy families!
In-home sleep consultations include a home visit that typically takes two to three hours. Your family receives a personalized written plan to help you establish the fundamentals needed for your baby to be a good sleeper! You get detailed and simple instructions to follow. These instructions are personalized, based on your comfort levels and beliefs and are tailored to meet your schedule and needs. The consultation will include information on: assisted soothing, self-soothing, scheduling, sleep signs, swaddling techniques, sleep routines and habits, techniques to improve the infant's/toddler's sleep, as well as other sleep training issues and suggestions. They also include two months of continued advisory time if additional questions come up.
My virtual sleep learning offerings provide.... ENTER DETAILS HERE...
In-home sleep consultations include a home visit that typically takes two to three hours. Your family receives a personalized written plan to help you establish the fundamentals needed for your baby to be a good sleeper! You get detailed and simple instructions to follow. These instructions are personalized, based on your comfort levels and beliefs and are tailored to meet your schedule and needs. The consultation will include information on: assisted soothing, self-soothing, scheduling, sleep signs, swaddling techniques, sleep routines and habits, techniques to improve the infant's/toddler's sleep, as well as other sleep training issues and suggestions. They also include two months of continued advisory time if additional questions come up.
My virtual sleep learning offerings provide.... ENTER DETAILS HERE...
In-Person Availability
I assist families when they first come home from the hospital. I can also provide hospital care for your family if your hospital doesn't provide an onsite nursery. I can also help provide you with the care your baby needs and the rest that you are looking for at home, when baby is a bit older!
I give post-partum moms the support they need to heal and the care their baby needs to grow. My services include: feeding, burping, dressing, diapering, cleaning and preparing bottles, nightly logs and tracking forms, instructions on newborn care for parents, daily and weekly developmental goals, swaddling techniques, daily and nightly scheduling/routines, assisted-soothing and self-soothing techniques, sleep training methods tailored to meet the parent's goals, reflux and colic management, premature infant care, stocking and maintaining the nursery, breastfeeding holds and guidelines, daily personalized newborn care answers and advice, as well as many additional newborn care related issues.
As an Expert Newborn Care Specialist who trains and mentors other Newborn Care Specialists, I mentor previous students who need to complete internship hours. If your family is on a limited budget, an intern may be available to assist you with your newborn care needs.
I personally oversee and mentor these early-career Newborn Care Specialists to help give them as many hands on experiences as possible. I am willing to job share as well, which provides a wonderful learning opportunity for the Newborn Care Specialist and financial discount for your family.
24/7 positions are a wonderful option for families who are expecting multiples or are simply feeling like they would like an extra pair of hands around the clock once their baby/babies arrive. This type of position can be as short as a week or two. This is a great option for a mom that knows that she needs to heal from a cesarean delivery. Or, you may want help around the clock for the first few months until the babies are sleeping through the night. Having a sleep expert both day and night, provides consistency. This consistency can help develop great fundamentals, routines and sleep habits day and night from the very beginning.
I give post-partum moms the support they need to heal and the care their baby needs to grow. My services include: feeding, burping, dressing, diapering, cleaning and preparing bottles, nightly logs and tracking forms, instructions on newborn care for parents, daily and weekly developmental goals, swaddling techniques, daily and nightly scheduling/routines, assisted-soothing and self-soothing techniques, sleep training methods tailored to meet the parent's goals, reflux and colic management, premature infant care, stocking and maintaining the nursery, breastfeeding holds and guidelines, daily personalized newborn care answers and advice, as well as many additional newborn care related issues.
As an Expert Newborn Care Specialist who trains and mentors other Newborn Care Specialists, I mentor previous students who need to complete internship hours. If your family is on a limited budget, an intern may be available to assist you with your newborn care needs.
I personally oversee and mentor these early-career Newborn Care Specialists to help give them as many hands on experiences as possible. I am willing to job share as well, which provides a wonderful learning opportunity for the Newborn Care Specialist and financial discount for your family.
24/7 positions are a wonderful option for families who are expecting multiples or are simply feeling like they would like an extra pair of hands around the clock once their baby/babies arrive. This type of position can be as short as a week or two. This is a great option for a mom that knows that she needs to heal from a cesarean delivery. Or, you may want help around the clock for the first few months until the babies are sleeping through the night. Having a sleep expert both day and night, provides consistency. This consistency can help develop great fundamentals, routines and sleep habits day and night from the very beginning.
