Hiring newborn care in California is very different than hiring newborn care in New York or London.
The two main differences are the type of baby nurse or newborn care and the cost. Hiring a baby nurse, or newborn care specialist as they are referred to in some circles in California, is costly and starts at $30 an hour gross. This is a stark difference to hiring a baby nurse in New York, which starts at $14 an hour.
What are the differences in the type of baby nurse or night nanny in New York at Connecticut vs San Francisco and Los Angeles?
East Coast, New York and Connecticut, Baby Nurse
A baby nurse from the East Coast, New York or Connecticut, is rarely a midwife or doula. They are usually nannies with extensive newborn experience. This experience can range from singleton to twin or triplet and some have experience with premature babies. Occasionally, a baby nurse on the East Coast will have experience with surrogate infants.
An agency, such as British American Newborn Care, will only work with a baby nurse if they have a minimum of 15 newborn care references on their resume. All must be checked, verified, and cannot be family or friends. Once the nanny has enough newborn care experience they will usually take a baby nurse course. Baby Nurses on the East Coast, generally work with a family for a minimum of 3 months and will often stay a full year.
More than 75% of baby nurse applicants are rejected after their interview with British American Newborn Care. This is either because we believe their approach to be unsafe or damaging or we don’t think they have enough experience yet, despite the resume suggesting they do.
West Coast, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Baby Nurse
A baby nurse or ‘newborn care specialist’ in California, San Francisco or Los Angeles, can sometimes be a midwife who sometimes works as a newborn care specialist in between her job. Most baby nurses or newborn care specialists in San Francisco and Los Angeles are more educated and have many more strict certifications. Their resumes are usually much more extensive and show a higher level of expertise. They may hold a degree in childcare or child psychology.
Some West Coast newborn care specialists also began as a nanny and transitioned into newborn care with high level training and continued education. This is established through the interview and reference checking. Newborn Care specialists in San Francisco or Los Angeles have their training and professionalism listed on their resume but the interview and their references still tell us the most. Top baby nurses or newborn care specialists in Los Angeles often have celebrity references on their resume. Due to the higher cost, only those who have the means can afford to hire a baby nurse or night nanny in Los Angeles and San Francisco for a longer duration of time.
It is standard to hire a baby nurse for 2-6 months in California, rarely longer. Many newborn care specialists in California are certified doulas, meaning they will support the mother as well as the infant or infants.
Hiring a Baby Nurse or Newborn Care Specialist with BAHS
When meeting potential newborn care specialists, it’s important to understand their qualifications and philosophy for infant care. We recommend asking questions like the following:
What is your philosophy on sleep training?
Do you believe in cry it out, and if so, at what age should this begin?
How do you help the infant self-sooth?
Do you believe in formula or just breast milk?
How do you help with breastfeeding?
What is your philosophy on assisting the mother? Do you teach the mother and support her too, or just the baby?
How do you ensure you get enough rest? What is your rest policy and time off policy?
How do you handle other bookings? If your next booking gives birth earlier, will you leave us or do you leave enough time in between bookings?
When will you introduce solids?
Have you had your own children? How did you look after them?
When did you feel you were properly trained and certified?
Having the right newborn care team working for you and baby will greatly increase good growth and development habits starting early. Contact our office to begin your search today.
