Taking care of babies is no simple task.
With a host of different requirements and needs, for a baby requires a lot of work additional attention.
In the case of newborns, this is especially problematic, given that they are very delicate and in need of special attention.
This is where newborn care specialists come into the picture. They are, as the name would suggest, professionals who help in the care of newborn babies. In addition to this, they also perform other general duties related to the care of babies as well.
For those who are interested in and about the subject of newborn infants, there are clearly a lot of doubts and questions.
Given in the list below, are some of the most common aspects about newborn care specialists, which many would like to know about.
What are the general functions and roles of a newborn care specialist?
The primary function and role of a newborn care specialist would involve the care of newborn infants.
They take up a whole range of tasks that are necessary for raising newborns, which include, among others,
What are some of the most important services performed by a newborn care specialist?
There are several services that are performed by newborn care specialists.
These include a wide range of functions related to childcare. Some of the most important ones have been explained below:
What are the duties that a newborn care specialist is expected to perform? Also, are there any other additional duties that may sometimes be included here?
As mentioned above, there are several functions that are expected from baby care specialists. A general list of the same has been mentioned below:
What is the salary and perks of an average newborn care specialist?
The salary and perks of an average newborn care specialist will depend on a whole range of different factors.
Some of these include the experience of the newborn care specialist, the nature of the work involved, the employer, number of newborns to be cared for, the terms of the agreement, state laws, etc. All of these things play an important role in the final salary that is paid out.
In general, the payout ranges anywhere from $18-$30 an hour, depending on the above-mentioned factors.
How does a typical work schedule of a newborn care specialist look like?
The answer to this question will first depend on the number of newborns to take care of, with a single child having less workload than twins or triplets.
Also, the timing of the work will also play a major role in how things work out. Night shift jobs are generally more stressful than dayshift ones, especially if you’re not attuned to the nightshift. In contrast, dayshifts are what many prefer, since it is a lot easier to manage staying awake during the day.
The number of days will also vary. Some parents may want to have newborn care specialists working on only a few days of the week, while others may seek out 24 hour attention. In the case of the latter, you will be looking at working in shifts with another newborn care specialist, one during the dayshift and other during the night.
What is the necessary background that an aspiring newborn care specialist requires?
One of the first requirements necessary would be, more than your academics or credentials, which is a genuine love for babies. This is more important than anything else you can imagine, for you will be working with them every day.
Another important thing you will need to have is patience. This is required as you may have to deal with a baby crying over a dirty diaper or the need for nursing at regular intervals.
Coming to actual career or experience backgrounds, a person can qualify if they are a nanny, nurse, mother, preschool teacher, daycare provider, etc.
Is training and certification necessary to become a newborn care specialist?
It isn’t really necessary to have training and certification to take care of babies in general. But at the same time, it is not a wise policy either.
The reason is because there is much that is to be known about caring for infants, before you get started with your work. Unless you are a mother or a nurse who has prior experience with small babies, it is highly recommended that you get the necessary certifications and training to become a newborn care specialist.
What is the best place to seek out a suitable newborn care specialist training program?
There are currently many service providers working in this field.
One of the best places to seek out the necessary training would be those from organizations like the NCSA or Newborn Care Specialist Association.
Is there any difference between a postpartum doula and a newborn care specialist?
A postpartum doula is often given the nickname of being a ‘mother to the mother’, due to the nature of the work performed. This ranges everything from cooking and cleaning to attending her medical needs and so on.
A newborn care specialist, on the other hand, is focused on caring for the baby, rather than the above mentioned household activities.
Is there any difference between a baby nurse and a newborn care specialist?
In general, a baby nurse is someone who has the qualification of being an actual registered nurse, with vastly more medical knowledge than a newborn care specialist.
Given this background, a newborn care specialist is best suited for general baby care, while a baby nurse is better suited to caring for infants with medical conditions or other specialized healthcare needs.
What does it mean by the term, ‘newborn nanny’?
The term ‘newborn nanny’ is exactly what the term sounds like; a nanny who cares for newborns.
More specifically, a newborn nanny is focused on caring for children up to the age of six months old.
Are there any advanced training programs available for those in this particular field?
There are several programs which can be hailed by individuals interested in deepening their skill set in this filed.
These programs are available by several organizations and bodies, such as the NCSA. A nanny agency put you in the right direction for this type of field.
To add this benefit to your organization, please reach out to Nannies & Kids United at 770-284-6090 or [email protected].