The Complete Guide to Newborn Night Nursing: All You Need to Know

What is Newborn Night Nursing?

Night nursing is a revolutionary approach to sleepless nights, one that’s designed to support parents after they leave the hospital. Baby nurses provide a variety of services, such as providing a safe and healthy environment, offering comfort and support, establishing sleep routines, and responding to the nighttime needs of an infant. Night nursing also supports family members. Parents need a break from their babies, and hiring an overnight nanny affords parents the ability to get much-needed rest. It’s tough to find time for oneself when caring for an infant 24/7 but hiring an overnight nurse can take some of the pressure off.

Where Do You Find an Overnight Newborn Nurse?

DreamcatchersNewborn Care, LLC can provide this necessary service to your family. Dreamcatchers utilizes Registered Nurses that are experienced in newborn or neonatal care, background checked, and are infant CPR certified. In addition to generalized baby care, they assist with lactation and breastfeeding, answering your questions and concerns, monitoring for any signs of illness or bottle-feeding issues, and establishing healthy bedtime habits to facilitate “sleep training”. Your baby’s needs will be fully met so you can sleep easy knowing your precious family member is cared for by the best. Moreover, while you’re resting the nurse will keep a record of diaper changes, feedings, and activity because communication is essential to establishing a healthy nighttime routine.

How Can You Prepare for Successful Newborn Night Nursing in Advance?

There are several steps that you can take to prepare for successful newborn night nursing. Proper preparation will help ensures that the first few weeks with your new baby will be as smooth and stress-free as possible.

The following are wonderful tips to help you get ready for your night nurse:

• Purchase a white-noise machine, like the Hatch Baby. External noise can disturb sleep.
• Place a nightlight in the nursery. It’s imperative that the nursery is kept dark at night to set your baby’s circadian rhythm.
• Have several sleep sacks available. Swaddling helps decrease waking from the startle reflex and makes babies feel more secure. We love the Butterfly Swaddle, but there are so many wonderful sleep sacks available.
• Keep an open mind about pacifier use. Pacifiers can be very soothing to babies, and it satisfies their innate need to suck.
• Prepare a comfortable place for your nurse to stay, such as a recliner, couch, or daybed in the nursery or just outside the room. If the nurse will be staying outside of the nursery provide them with a baby monitor.
• Make sure that you schedule early, especially if you know you will want several nights of care per week. Nurses tend to book weeks to months out in advance. The best way to secure your nurse is to plan ahead!

Hire a Newborn Night Nurse So You Can Be Your Best

Late nights with a newborn have never been easy. Newborn night nursing is an innovative solution for parents who are exhausted by the demands of a career, running a household, everyday life, and the nighttime cries and feeding needs of a newborn. Choosing a highly experienced Registered Nurse affords you the ability to trust that your littlest family member is well taken care of by the best. Night nurses help parents get more sleep and feel less stressed by allowing them to be fully engaged in the parenting experience with a full tank of energy.

Author:

Meagan Williams, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC

Owner and CEO of Dreamcatchers Newborn Care, LLC