If you are pregnant or have recently given birth to a baby, you might be looking into childcare options to help you give your new little one the best care possible. Two great options to consider are a baby nurse and nanny, although there are distinct differences in the roles they play in a child’s life.
Here is a comparison of baby nurse vs. nanny to help you choose the best household staff member for your family’s unique situation.
The Role and Benefits of a Baby Nurse
Baby nurses are specialists in the care of newborns and typically stay with a family for a few weeks or months after a child is born. These household professionals are skilled in sleep training, feedings throughout the day, bathing, diapering, and stimulating the growing brains of new babies.
They are typically on-call 24 hours a day to tend to a baby’s needs and take significant stress out of the lives of new parents. It is particularly beneficial to hire a baby nurse if you are new to parenting, don’t have other family members nearby to help with newborn care, for preemies, for multiples, and for help with breastfeeding.
The Role and Benefits of a Nanny
Nannies are childcare experts who typically come into a child’s life a few months or more after birth. Nannies may live in a family’s home or commute to the home each day.
These household professionals typically work at least 40 hours per week if they are full-time employees or 15 to 20 hours per week on a part-time basis. Typical nanny duties include feeding, diaper, and playtime for young children and then transition to providing more educational activities and arranging for activities as children get older.
Similarities Between a Baby Nurse and Nanny
Both baby nurses and nannies are experienced in working with young children and coordinating care with families. They specialize in what children need at various stages of life and work around parents’ schedules to ensure those needs are met. Baby nurses and nannies also possess many of the same characteristics, such as being patient, caring, detail-oriented, fun, responsible, and engaging.
Differences Between a Baby Nurse and Nanny
It is best to have a baby nurse hired and ready to work right away when you bring a newborn baby home from the hospital. However, you might not hire a nanny until you are ready to go back to work outside the home or until a child is at least a few months old. While a baby nurse may only be with your family for a short time, nannies can accompany child through many years of life leading up to adolescence.
Crossovers and Transitions from Baby Nurse to Nanny
Many household professionals specialize in only being a baby nurse or only being a nanny, but some versatile individuals have knowledge and expertise in both types of jobs. This type of crossover skillset is something that you may want to discuss with potential hires that you interview to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of care. Meanwhile, many other families successfully transition from having a baby nurse to a nanny after the first few months of a baby’s life or when maternity and paternity leave from work is about to end.
How to Hire a Baby Nurse and Nanny
As you decide between baby nurse vs. nanny, or perhaps a crossover between the two, remember that Household Staffing International is your reliable source for all childcare needs. Our talented team of placement experts will work with you to assess your family’s specific needs and the right type of professional for your household. All of the baby nurses and nannies we work with are extensively background-checked and vetted to ensure they are trustworthy, experienced, and the best option for what you are looking for.
Contact us at 212-683-7722 or info@hsiny.com for more information, or browse candidates on our website to learn more about baby nurses and nannies who might be a great fit for your family.