I've been watching a bunch of celeb reality TV and the caregivers for the babies are called Baby Nurses not Nannies. So, have nannies received such a bad wrap that full time, live in childcare help are called baby nurses?
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I can't speak to the reality TV, but can share that my sister is a baby nurse! She is an actual RN with many years experience as a labor delivery nurse, and she's supposed to be short term (one family has fallen in love with her and she's stayed much longer). She helps with things a nanny might not--like how to clean the baby's nose, breast feeding support, etc. She weighs the baby's (twins) and does more medical type stuff.
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No. A baby nurse is not the same thing as a nanny . . . much more in line with what @Happygal: mentioned (short-term versus long-term, and a different focus from what a nanny typically provides).
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@Happygal: ok. Thanks
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Some people have recommended baby nurses to me...in this case not real RNs but just women who live in the home for the first few weeks and provide round the clock care for just the baby. What I've been told is that if you really want to breastfeed a baby nurse is not for you and you want a doula, though.
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@spaniellove: Hadn't heard that about baby nurses! I always thought that doulas were focused on the mom and not the baby…
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My old boss hired a baby nurse for like the 1st two weeks. He said she was expensive but such a life saver esp for 1st time parents. She stayed over, ate with them and basically helped take care of their new born and teach them things.
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@mrbee: I guess many of the postpartum doulas I've considered also specialize in breastfeeding! But they do seem to focus more on the mom than on baby care.
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@spaniellove: I'm sure there is a spectrum with baby nurses and not all are RNs, but the two baby nurses I've known (my sister and my friend's baby nurse) really supported breast feeding. They bring the baby to the mom to nurse, remind her which side to nurse on, and more.
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In my experience, a baby nurse is different from a nanny. Usually people engage a baby nurse in the newborn period. Often baby nurses will take care of the baby overnight, but they can be there at any point. It's a little different from a post partum doula as others have said.
ETA: People have told me that baby nurses tend to focus on the baby and its needs, while pp doulas focus more on the family as a whole and are really an extra pair of hands.
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@spaniellove: Not to threadjack, but I have a baby nurse now who has been EXTREMELY helpful for breastfeeding. Most of the ones we interviewed were very pro-breastfeeding. I can't tell you how much sleep the baby nurse has saved me. I get up in the middle of the night to feed several times but can go back to sleep while she changes and soothes the baby. LIFESAVER. It has made breastfeeding a much easier experience. I highly recommend the baby nurse rather than a postpartum doula who only helps out a few hours at a time during the day.
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@raintreebee: Interesting, it must have been just that doula trashing baby nurses then! And you'll have to tell me about your decision to go with a baby nurse, because that's been an ongoing thing over here.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Sorry for completely threadjacking.
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@spaniellove: no worries. This is all very fascinating and now makes me wonder what's the purpose of a nanny?
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In my area, a baby nurse is what is hired for the first few weeks or months to help with middle of the night wakings, etc. Although they can come every night, I know people who have used them just when they need a break for a few nights a week. In the my area, the going rate is about $30 an hour and they typically work from 10pm-6am and take care of the baby and just bring them to mom for feedings. For my friends, it's a typically a gift from grandparents and is more popular with multiples. I know a few people who have used a service to find a baby nurse (you typically don't get the same person every night) and then end up hiring the favorite of the baby nurses as a nanny.
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I know of baby nurses as being short-term help for the family when they first bring the baby home. I've never heard of a baby nurse being with the family for an extended period of time, at least not in my area. A nanny is different, long-term and doesn't necessarily stay over night.
@mrbee: My birth doula was also my postpartum doula--she was focused on both me and LO when she would come over. I think a postpartum doula's focus is different than her focus as a birth doula.
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@spaniellove: Here is the thread where I pose the question of whether hiring a baby nurse is worth it. I've updated it to reflect my experience. http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-nurse-while-breastfeeding?replies=20#post-1411705
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: No more threadjacking, I promise!
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I think Mrs. Jazz's explanation is correct in that a baby nurse isn't a long-term childcare solution. I found people use them for the first few weeks up to a month. My nany is my LO's caregiver when I am at work and she will be that for the foreseeable future. We had a post-partum doula since we had no local family.
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a baby nurse is a short-term helper who can either come for nights, or full time. they specialize in newborns. they are very popular in nyc. my friends have hired them for anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. we are planning to get one for 2-4 weeks, maybe full time at first, then only at night.
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In reference to the reality TV portrayal, Kim K has a baby nurse for a full year. In that case I think it's more of a nanny!
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