By unveiling the duties of a night nanny it can be seen how invaluable the extra support is that they can provide for families in need. Night nannies are especially beneficial to mothers with newborn babies. They could even be good guidance for new mothers. So, by discovering the essential responsibilities of a nanny, we can understand their role in a baby’s life.
Understanding the Role of a Night Nanny
Night nannies are professional caregivers who provide support to families during the night. Most night nannies are employed to care for newborns or young children. They provide support for the new mother as well as for the child.
The primary role of a night nanny is to assist the parents in taking care of the infant’s needs during the night or of a child’s needs during the night. This allows the parents to get much-needed rest and sleep. Night nannies do require some extra training and experience in handling nighttime routines.
They are there to ensure the safety and well-being of a child or infant during the night. Nannies are also required to work shifts and provide overnight care for several nights a week, or on an as-needs basis. Especially in the role where a night nanny needs to care for a newborn.
There are challenges of sleep deprivation and adjusting to a new routine with a baby. By understanding the role of a night nanny, parents and nannies can make an informed decision about how to best support the family’s needs.
Typical Duties of a Night Nanny
So now, by understanding the role and the challenges faced by night nannies, let’s look at the typical life and job duties of a night nanny.
General Nannying Duties
- Night nannies are generally qualified professional nannies who need to perform duties like that of a regular nanny.
- They provide general childcare services and care for infants or newborns depending on the family.
- Night nannies are expected to help with feeding and putting children or infants to sleep.
- They are required to change children, check their diapers and bathe babies.
- Nannies must prepare meals or bottle feedings.
- They are required to tidy up and clean bottles or dishes used by the children.
- Night nannies provide support and care for the parents and children.
- They are required to entertain or calm children and babies during the night.
- Night nannies are required to monitor and closely monitor babies during the night.
- Many nannies are often expected to provide sleep training and routines for children or babies.
- Additional services may be required and stipulated by the agency of the parents.
Night Nanny VS Newborn Night Nurse
Other than a night nanny, you may also have heard about a newborn night nurse. However, what exactly is the difference between the two? One of the most complex parts of being a new mother is handling your newborn’s constantly changing sleep schedules and eating schedule every one to three hours.
This means that the mother often gets very little sleep or relaxation. This can be stressful for anyone, especially for mothers who have just given birth.
Thankfully, night nannies and night nurses can both help in this regard. So, keep reading to learn what a night nanny and a night nurse can do for you as the mother of a newborn child.
What Does Newborn Care Involve?
Firstly, what exactly does newborn care involve? Newborn care is anything and everything you do for your infant after birth. Generally, babies need so many things after birth.
Having a newborn in the house can be both exciting and exhausting. Everything from bathing, soothing, feeding, changing and other care. Night nannies provide all these services to give you the break you need.
Newborn Night Nanny
Firstly, a night nanny is a professional nanny who takes care of children or usually newborns overnight. They help you with breastfeeding and they help to put the baby to sleep and care for them when they need to eat. Usually when you finish breastfeeding the night nanny will take the baby back to the nursery, handle burping and soothing them to sleep so that you can rest easily.
Newborn Night Nurse
On the other hand, a newborn night nurse is quite similar, though they have higher qualifications. Newborn night nurses have medical qualifications that go beyond the scope of a night nanny although they still perform the same services as a night nanny.
So, what are the differences?
Ideally, a night nanny and night nurse offer the same basic sets of services. They usually all stay the first night you bring your newborn baby home and help you and your family get through all the rocky first stages of infancy.
They take care of all your newborn cares while you sleep to recharge for the next day. The only main difference is the type of training that they go through and their experience.
Benefits of Hiring a Night Nanny
Night nannies in general can be hired as a nanny for newborn care. There are quite a few benefits to hiring a night nanny.
A Good Night’s Rest for You and Your Baby
Whether it is for a newborn or a child that needs special nightly care, the parents can enjoy a good night’s rest. Similarly, the baby and the child also enjoy a peaceful night’s rest being taken care of throughout the night. There is no question about the value of a good night’s sleep for both a child and a parent. Having a night nanny can make this possible for both.
Easier to Get Settled
In the case of parents of newborns, they could be emotionally and physically drained from transitioning into being a parent and taking care of the newborn at home. Even the simplest act of returning from the hospital is enough to exhaust a new parent.
One of the first things a night nurse can do for a new parent is assist them in providing a stable environment to make the transition easier.
A night nanny can help you unpack and can also organise the nursery for when you arrive from the hospital. This makes it much easier for the parents to get settled into the new environment with their newborn baby.
Less Stress
Having a night nanny around reduces the stress and exhaustion associated with caring for a newborn during the night. This is especially ideal for parents who have a demanding work schedule and other responsibilities.
Enhanced Bonding
When you have the support of friends and a night nanny, you’ll have more energy and time to bond with your baby during the day. This in turn helps you to foster a much stronger parent-child relationship.
Professional Expertise
Many parents have night nannies or trained professionals, especially those who specialise in newborn care. They have knowledge and experience with newborn care, sleeping and feeding routines. So, they can provide valuable guidance and advice to new parents.
Peace of Mind
As a parent, you can enjoy a good night’s rest knowing that your child is in the hands of a professional. A capable and caring night nanny service will allow the parents more peace of mind and confidence in their child’s well-being.
A Better Routine
It is difficult to find a routine that works both for you and your precious newborn. It takes much practice and effort which can be exhausting and a night nanny can easily help you to create a routine that runs smoother and is easier so that you can carry on with it on your own. Eventually, you will find that your newborn sleeps through the night easier.
Fewer Bedtime Struggles
For children and infants, there are much fewer bedtime struggles. So, when you come home from work, your night nanny may have put your little one to sleep already so that you can relax after a long day.
Similarly, as a new parent, it can be difficult to get a newborn to sleep and ensure that they stay asleep after you’ve put them down. It requires much time, patience and even creativity from the new parents who may be drained at this stage. A night nanny can help you create a consistent pattern to help your newborn or your child to be more comfortable should they stay up in the middle of the night.
Less Interrupted Sleep for Baby
Newborn babies in the first few weeks of their life wake up many times during the night, which interrupts your sleep as a parent. Even more so if they’re sleeping through the night now, that doesn’t mean that they will keep sleeping through the night.
The same goes for children who struggle to sleep at night. They may get up often during the night, interrupting the entire family’s sleep routine. This is where it’s ideal to have a night nanny who can soothe your child or baby back to sleep, no matter how many times they wake up during the night.
Bottles are Always Washed and Ready
Another duty of night nannies is to wash and get bottles ready for babies. So, you can have your night nanny clean and stress all the used bottles so that they are ready for the next day or feedings during the night.
This can take a huge weight off your shoulders and allow you to give much more attention to caring for your child.
Supplies are On Hand
Maybe night nannies are also willing to make rounds for supplies that may be essential. On their way to work, they could stop at the store to buy diapers, wet wipes, or even clean onesies and blankets if needed.
Some Final Thoughts
A night nanny could be the ideal addition for a new parent or a parent with a newborn baby.
Parents can enjoy a restful night’s sleep and be more alert and awake the next day whether they’re working or at home with their children. Essentially, there are so many benefits to having a night nanny help you out.
