So how much do night nurses cost?

[Anonymous]

Mom at 40 here. This is not a new phenomenon, to the venomous PP poster, to have other people help with your baby. In the old days, you would have your mother stay with you, you would have aunts, sisters, grandmothers, people in your town etc. It is NOT NORMAL to send a mother home to care for her baby alone. Especially a mom with a C section. And being older doesn't help matters. So i was a 40 year old, with a C section, and no family around-- I have no sisters, no grandmothers alive, and my mom died slowly and horribly from cancer 3years ago (sorry, PP, to burst your bubble that all of us who hire night nurses are spoiled). So yeah, I needed help. My husband had to go back to work after 2 weeks. I used Metropolitan Doulas and they absolutely saved my life and my son's. Regardless of my situation, if someone doesn't feel they can handle the transition to motherhood, be it PPD or whatever, if someone can afford it... why do we judge other women so harshly? I wish we could all walk a mile in the other's shoes and be more compassionate....

[Anonymous]

Zenia Brown,LPN
Overnight Newborn Specialist
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Overnight Newborn Care.com

[Anonymous]

Overnight Newborn Care.com

[Anonymous]

I don't get this. Do that many wealthy women formula feed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get this. Do that many wealthy women formula feed?

Those who breastfeed are able to feed and then hand over baby to the night nurse for changing, soothing, etc. until the next feeding. Sometimes the soothing alone can take quite a while, and if baby is a fussy sleeper, the nurse takes over while mom and dad get some rest.

[Anonymous]

They cost your soul.

Kidding.


It's a luxury we can't afford. However, we did have friends come stay throughout first month so I could sleep during the day. Invaluable. We are eternally grateful and I'll do the same for anyone in my life if asked or offer to do so accepted. Might be worth looking into prices for daytime support if overnight baby care is not in your budget. If it is, you are fortunate indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$300/night. Used for 6-8 weeks

Every night? That's like a year of daycare.

[Anonymous]

I hired one who was very good but quite expensive; around $45 per hour. She was a former NICU nurse, so that explains her high fee. She was amazing and a huge help to me. My child was born extremely premature with lots of medical needs, so I only hired the nurse to help me the first week at home. With my other children, I did everything myself without ever using a night nurse--it really wasn't too bad and totally manageable with a healthy newborn (although definitely exhausting).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We may do this too. The thought of being up all night every night severely depresses me.

I felt the same when I was pregnant but it turned out fine. I have a job where I sometimes pull all nighters and I hate it!!! But getting up with your kid is different. Also, I totally believe STTN is completely possible in most cases in the 8-12 week range. Get good advise from folks whose kids STTN early without a big fuss or drama (there are plenty around, we just have to keep quiet bc people will hate us if we say our kiddos STTN).

[Anonymous]

So bananas. I wouldn't have traded those midnight feedings and special time for anything in the world.

[Anonymous]

I had one for my first baby because he was really premature and I could not sleep unless I knew someone was watching him and my spouse traveled a lot. I was really traumatized by his health issues and early birth. It was really, really good to have someone with me. For babies 2 and 3 who were fullterm, it was just a luxury.

[Anonymous]

If we had the money and a 2nd baby I would do this in a heartbeat. Sleep is a luxury with a newborn

I loved breastfeeding my daughter but the thought of not having to be up for an hour each time, burping, swaddling, etc sounds like a DREAM. There is no way we could ever afford something like this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get this. Do that many wealthy women formula feed?

Those who breastfeed are able to feed and then hand over baby to the night nurse for changing, soothing, etc. until the next feeding. Sometimes the soothing alone can take quite a while, and if baby is a fussy sleeper, the nurse takes over while mom and dad get some rest.

That's what my husband was for. I nursed, he burped, changed and laid baby back down. Also, I think it's hilarious that you all think you're hiring NURSES when 95% of them are glorified babysitters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless they have a nursing degree , they can not be called night nurses. They are newborn care specialist (if they have that training) or night nanny.

Says who? Wet nurses weren't certified nurses either. Can you be said to be nursing your baby if you're not an RN or the like? It's just a traditional use of the word.

Sweet.