Infant care- pay, availability, etc

[Anonymous]

I am expecting my second child during a period when I am very busy at work (I am self employed.. think an accountant having a baby during the middle of tax season!). I probably need about 20 hours per week of infant care starting from day one, for about 8 weeks. At that point, my work will die down and I can take on a more active role, and we can transition to a more permanent child care situation.

I am trying to figure out all of my options right now. Can someone give me an idea of what I could expect if I was trying to hire a 20 hr/wk temp nanny for this period? Wondering what this will cost on an hourly basis and if it is even possible to find someone good and qualified to work on a less than full time basis for only 8 weeks.

Would I be better off with a postpartum doula? I will be at home during much of the time I need care (working, unfortunately) but not all of the time.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Can you get some overnight help, too? Or hire someone full time? I know you're not a first-time mom, but if you are only planning to have help during your work hours, you may be more exhausted than you expect to be. I still remember the full week it took me to do about 8 hours of work after the birth of my first. Never tried that again. I know you don't have a choice due to the nature of your job.

Anyway, if you can afford an agency, I recommend it in this case. I have hired part time nannies before, and it is harder to find someone truly reliable, because people are usually part time for a reason (school responsibilities, children, just want extra income, health issues, another job), and when that reason either changes or takes precedence, they flake. Add the short-term nature of the job, and I think you may hire someone just to discover they are not reliable when you need them most.

An agency can help find someone actually looking for part time work with a track record, and provide a replacement if the original person is out. If it's crucial that you have this time blacked out for the 8 weeks, you don't want to have to worry about someone getting sick or finding a full time job and leaving.

[Anonymous]

Which agency are you recommending, 11:45?

[Anonymous]

I'd go with the doula option in your situation, OP. They're more used to working *with* the parents around.

[Anonymous]

I used MetroParentRelief when I needed a short term placement. She worked with me on the fees since it was short term. They also do emergency/backup care.

I don't know enough about a doula to comment on that, but honestly, for a newborn, I don't see much difference. Either person can do this. Call some doulas and advertise for a nanny and see what comes through first. You might want to sign up with an agency just for the emergency backup care.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I am not opposed to using an agency. Of course I have no idea how much they cost but the reasons mentioned above for using them seem pretty sound. I will look up Metro Parent Relief.

I would also LOVE overnight help.. god I would love that, but I guess it depends on how expensive the day help is running us? What does overnight help even cost? I feel so stupid about how all of this even works!

[Anonymous]

I think Let Mommy Sleep (a service) was like $300/night? They are nurses, though, if I remember correctly. I think an overnight baby nurse without a nursing license would be a little cheaper, but it's pricey. I thought about doing 2-3 nights a week, but didn't.

The question is, what happens if you can't actually pound out 20 hours worth of high-quality work for those 8 weeks? Only you know the answer to that! If the quality of the work is not that important, or it's ok if it doesn't all get finished, then you've got more wiggle room than if you'll lose clients or miss important deadlines.

It might be an expensive 8 weeks, but unless you're having a baby every year, more help might be worth it to preserve your business for the future.

[Anonymous]

Are family used Laura Hippeard as a Overnight Newborn Care Specialist. She was amazing and such a great help. Laura's contact information is 571-264-4306 Best Christine!

[Anonymous]

I'm an postpartum doula and overnight newborn care specialist. I'd be happy to speak with you about options and referrals. My name is Kathleen Butler. You can email me at [e-mail]. Congratulations on your new baby!
https://m.facebook.com/Yourbabybutler/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Let Mommy Sleep (a service) was like $300/night? They are nurses, though, if I remember correctly. I think an overnight baby nurse without a nursing license would be a little cheaper, but it's pricey. I thought about doing 2-3 nights a week, but didn't.

The question is, what happens if you can't actually pound out 20 hours worth of high-quality work for those 8 weeks? Only you know the answer to that! If the quality of the work is not that important, or it's ok if it doesn't all get finished, then you've got more wiggle room than if you'll lose clients or miss important deadlines.

It might be an expensive 8 weeks, but unless you're having a baby every year, more help might be worth it to preserve your business for the future.

Check out these rates, people. Good newborn care is very expensive.