Hiring a Maternity Nurse, 4 Things to Consider

 

Hiring a Maternity Nurse can be undertaken either within the home or remotely via online consultations.

What exactly does Maternity Nurse support look like and what do you need to consider when you are hiring one?

Here are 4 things to consider when hiring a Maternity Nurse:

Professional Training and Experience

Firstly it is important to mention that the Maternity Nurse industry is not regulated.

As such, like in other unregulated industries, there can be complications.

Furthermore, talking from experience it is evident that there are demands for a ‘Maternity Nurse’ who is happy to do household cleaning chores and cooking.

Likewise, certain agencies will cater to clients who demand a ‘Maternity Nurse’, Cook, Cleaner and Nanny, all rolled into one.

For the seasoned and experienced Maternity Nurses amongst us, however, we bring a wealth of training and professional expertise to our clients.

Such professional training would normally include Nursing, Midwifery, Nursery Nursing and Social Work.

All of these offer a very specialised skill set, Furthermore, a knowledge to enable supporting families who are fully focused on the newborn baby’s development and settling-in process.

A Maternity Nurse may well have completed a Maternity Nurse training or workshop.

Thus acquiring the skills needed to address a variety of challenges that can present following the birth of a newborn or young baby.

It is important to look at her professional profile, furthermore how often she keeps herself updated with industry-relevant training.

What Will an Experienced Maternity Nurse Do?

First and foremost, a Maternity Nurse is there to offer practical and emotional support.

Additionally, on hand to ease the transition with your baby and to help you recover from the birth of your child.

Ideally, the sooner you have the required support, the easier the transition.

Your Maternity Nurse can arrive the day you bring your baby home from the hospital.

Likewise, then you will feel supported and can focus on recovering from giving birth.

The first 10 days to two weeks are all about feeding!

The focus will be on ensuring your baby is feeding well, gaining weight and observing for any feeding issues.

If you plan to breastfeed your Maternity Nurse will be able to suggest different feeding positions.

Additionally, she will observe the latch, help you understand feeding cues and how to ensure you maintain your milk supply.

If necessary, your Maternity Nurse can recommend a Lactation Consultant.

Practical Support That Your Maternity Nurse Can Offer

Help you set up your baby’s nursery with a list of suggestions for equipment (including what is essential and what is a luxury!).

Set up equipment and show you how to use and care for it e.g. breast pumps. Wash and sterilise bottles and prepare formula safely.

Suggest when and if there is a need to pump breastmilk and how to store the milk. Help you bathe your baby and care for the umbilical cord.

Help you recover from giving birth by ensuring you are hydrated, eating well and resting. Show you how to settle your baby.

 

 

What an experienced Maternity Nurse will do is identify feeding and settling issues.

A Maternity Nurse will refer to a team of professionals, where appropriate.

Such as, Lactation Consultants, Paediatricians, Osteopaths and Tongue Tie Specialists.

Your Maternity Nurse should have a sound knowledge of newborn development, feeding expectations, growth spurts and how to manage them.

Additionally, they should guide you through your baby’s cues such as which cry is tired, hungry, I want a cuddle, or I want to be put down.

They will have knowledge of sleep expectations with your baby. To support you and your partner in building a relationship with your baby.

Answer ALL your questions, you are sure to have many! Listen and reassure you, help you process your birth experience.

Observe for signs of Postnatal Depression and Anxiety. Have a list of resources and professionals who may be useful to you in your baby’s first year.

It will leave you feeling confident, with expectations and strategies for the next stage of your baby’s development.

 

Additional Points to Consider and Questions to Ask

There are several factors worth considering if you are thinking about hiring a Maternity Nurse.

What is the Maternity Nurse’s approach? Does she adopt a routine-focused or baby-led approach?

Do you feel comfortable and at ease with this person?

Is this someone you feel you could ask a question at 2 am when feeding is not going well and you are exhausted?

When will the Maternity Nurse take a break?

Most Maternity Nurses will have a break of 4 hours out of the 20 hours they are available to you.

Usually, this break is taken during the morning and will ensure that she is rested in order to continue to care for you and your baby.

Take time to plan for how many 24-hour cycles you require a Maternity Nurse, and for how long you will require support for your baby.

Furthermore, packages can be created to suit personal needs.

It can be anything from a couple of nights when you return home from the hospital or 2 or 3 months of support.

Help is offered weighing up personal options, starting with filling out our contact form.

Alternatively, help is available from a very good charity at home start.

I provide a bespoke remote consultation package for parents of newborn and infant babies up to 2 years.

Further details can be found via the Online Clinic.