As a first time or experienced parent you may be looking for someone to pass on their knowledge, advice and experience with caring for newborns. Starting a family or introducing a new addition is a wonderful experience, but sometimes a helping hand is appreciated. If you are worried about how to make the most of those special, but tiring first few months with your baby, the perfect solution for you could all lie in a Maternity Nurse.

A maternity nurse is a post natal carer, who comes to your home and joins in your daily routine to provide you with support and advice to help you care for the wellbeing of your newborn baby and as well your own. She will not only help you to recuperate and enable you to get the rest you need after giving birth, but she can also offer invaluable support and guidance during those special first few weeks. Her main aim is to make this time as relaxing and enjoyable as possible for both you and your baby.

Maternity nurses usually join a family once the newborn is safely at home. She will be with you every step of the way to ensure you have total confidence in your own abilities and are able to cope with any situation that could arise.

She will help you establish and implement a routine which will suit both yours and your baby’s needs and can be that extra pair of hands you require. Your maternity nurse will be on call all hours of the day for either five or six days a week, and take two – three hours per day to rest and recharge.

Once you have booked a maternity nurse, she will stay in touch right up to the arrival of the baby and may discuss the following with you:

  • A hospital list for you and notes on how to prepare for the birth
  • A list and notes of equipment you may need for your baby
  • Up-to-date information and research on issues you request
  • A home visit if you would like to discuss your nursery layout and needs in your home
  • Whether you would like to breast feed or bottle feed
  • Accommodation provided and whether you would like her to sleep in with your baby

After you have given birth, your maternity nurse will come and live with you and provide around the clock care. She will also provide you with:

  • Support and encouragement throughout her stay
  • Advice and help with maintaining a healthy diet
  • Teach you all the baby care basics: bathing, dressing, soothing etc.
  • Planning your day within a framework of feeds to suit your family’s needs
  • Allow you to get plenty of rest throughout the day
  • Sleep in with the baby at night and settling after night feeds or giving a night bottle
  • Keeping the baby’s layette and equipment in order, dealing with laundry and bottle preparation
  • Help you find out about local facilities and classes for you and your baby
  • Help you adjust to a new lifestyle
  • Offer advice on travel, play, clothes etc. for the first year

By the time your maternity nurse leaves your family, she will hope that you as new parents feel confident being left to care for your baby alone. She will always be available to talk to you once she leaves your family to discuss any questions or worries you may have.

This article was written by Emma Henderson, Maternity Nurse Consultant of Nannies Incorporated and Annie Martin, Founder and Director of Nannies Incorporated since 1989. Please feel free to get touch with us today, by email or phone, to hear more about how we can help you make the most of those first few weeks with your precious newborn baby.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post