How to find the right nanny for your newborn
A beginner’s guide
Having a baby is an overwhelming, wondrous, absolutely indescribable experience. You now have an entire being to care for, and you want nothing but the best for every single day of this baby’s life. So when the time comes to bring in outside help to care for your newborn, it can be nerve wracking to say the least.
What should you look for in a nanny for your newborn? What are the non-negotiables that will ensure you feel confident that your baby is safe and happy? We have rounded up important advice to help you find and hire the nanny who is just right for you.
Nannies for newborns: must-have qualifications
Maybe the most important training a newborn nanny can have is to be CPR and First Aid Certified. Make sure any nanny you consider has taken (or is willing to take) a CPR training in person, with hands-on training. It is possible to take an online course and get the necessary information about how CPR works, but practicing on baby, toddler, and child dummies is crucial in setting the muscle memory and really understanding how a child’s body works.
CPR certifications are valid for 2 years, after which the training needs to be renewed. You can learn more about CPR certification through the American Red Cross, or through our long-term partner in New York City, NY Metro CPR.
There are certifications and courses childcare professionals can take to work with newborns and infants. However, these are not regulated in any way, so it’s hard to know what it means if a candidate has some type of accreditation. Infant training of some sort can be a boost to a candidate’s resume, especially if they have less hands-on experience, but there is no need for you to dismiss an infant nanny with plenty of experience who doesn’t have a diploma.
Vital experience for newborn care nannies
Nothing is as reassuring and encouraging on your parenting journey as having a nanny who’s already seen it all and can help guide you along. This is especially true if it is your first child. That’s why—when seeking a nanny for their newborn—parents rank experience so high on their wishlists. While experience in general is both important and helpful, there are a few particular things to look for when hiring a candidate.
Ask your newborn nanny candidates about:
Sleep training. You may already be panicking about sleepless nights and wondering how long it will take for you to feel human again, but unsure how one goes about convincing a newborn that sleeping at night is a very smart choice. If you’re looking to get your baby on a sleep schedule early on, check with your candidates to see how experienced they are with sleep training and if their methods align with your ideals. Also make sure to assess a candidate’s knowledge in sleep safety, as the first few months of an infant’s life are unique compared to any other time in their development.
Handling breastmilk and formula. Whether you breastfeed or give your baby formula, your nanny will feed your newborn through the day. It’s important to make sure they know how to handle breastmilk safely, prepare and clean bottles, and about general food and feeding safety. Experience in burping techniques, managing reflux, and various coaxing methods is also important. Bonus points if the nanny for your newborn is familiar with different bottles and nipples, since many a parent has been stressed out trying to get their baby to take the bottle at all.
Introducing solid foods. Believe it or not, eating is a skill we all one time had to practice. It won’t be time yet, but having a nanny who can transition from the early newborn days to infanthood is key. Helpful experience in a nanny includes introducing solid foods, cooking and preparing healthy foods, encouraging fussy eaters, and knowing how and when to introduce various foods safely.
Special needs. If you know that your child has special needs of any kind from the beginning, working with a nanny who has the right experience can make a huge difference for your child’s development—and for your peace of mind. Every family is unique, but an experienced caregiver who can allow for adapted childcare methods, managing therapies, and early hospital visits will bring invaluable comfort to you as a parent.
Unsure what to ask your newborn nanny candidates? Read our extensive guide on the best nanny interview questions.
Nannies for newborns: contract terms and changing roles
The newborn period can be tumultuous, and it can even be hard for you to know up front what your needs will be. When you are interviewing and looking to hire a nanny candidate for your newborn, try to get a sense of their flexibility and ability to change if and as the role changes.
Some families choose to hire a part-time newborn care specialist in the beginning who then transitions into a full-time nanny, whereas others know their exact best schedule from the get-go. You may also be home more in the beginning and looking for support both while you are in the home and when you are not there. If this is the case, make sure your nanny is comfortable with both.
Check in with your candidate and outline the terms up front—including any requests for flexibility—to ensure that you both know what you are committing to. This decreases the risk that there will be uncomfortable conversations or dissatisfaction once you’re in the swing of it, when it’s much harder to adjust.
Make sure to also check your candidate’s flexibility in evolving the role as your baby grows. Newborn care specialists and baby nurses, for instance, don’t necessarily want to transition into a long-term nanny role with preschoolers, but some do. If you’re looking to hold on to your nanny for years, chat with their references about their ability to grow with your child. The responsibilities of a nanny for a 3-year-old look quite different than those for a newborn.
Trust yourself to find the right nanny for your newborn
At the end of the day, what matters most is your gut feeling. Is this someone you will be comfortable leaving your newborn with? Is this a person who can also navigate your early days of parenting, help answer your questions, bring you peace of mind? If so, then the above checklist will just help ensure that your baby is safe, cared for, and in the hands of someone who will delight in watching them grow, just like you.
What’s helped you in finding and hiring a nanny for your newborn? Any snafus you want to help other parents avoid? Let us know on our Instagram or Facebook!