Baby Nurse: Was on the fence, but let me say...I found an amazing one and it was worth it!

[megcolek]

Hi all -

This is my second post here on DC Urban Moms. My first was about a nanny and I have to say, I found a fantastic nanny through through using this site! I'm a big fan.

With that, I thought it might be beneficial to share my experience with a baby nurse as I had some wonderful DC Urban mom community members give me advice about finding a nanny so I want to return the favor.

I was completely on the fence on getting a baby nurse. My husband encouraged me as he had to go back to work right away. With that, we went with a lovely lady named Maureen who came highly recommended from friends that used her in New York. Let me just say....Maureen was absolutely amazing.

A good example of what Maureen can do - prior to her arrival I was unable to get my daughter to sleep in the bassinet. I could only get her to sleep in my arms or on this magical bobby pillow. Well the first night Maureen was with us, our daughter not only slept in the bassinet, but slept consistently in 3 hour spans. And now at about 1 month old she sleeps for about 4hrs at a time during the night. She's on a great schedule out the gates.

Here is a glimpse at what Maureen does:
- She usually joins families right after you give birth, but I went into labor 2 weeks early and so she joined us right at 2 weeks.
- She moves in with you for a set period of time (I did 2 weeks).
- She not only cares for your child, but she teaches you. I wanted to be super hands on, so she taught me everything from sleep training to pumping regiments to bathing tactics to swaddling, and much more.
- She is incredibly loving and treats your child like he / she was her own.
- She organizes the nursery - clothes, linens, etc.
- She does laundry for the baby and even helped us with some of our laundry
- She cooks for herself and you, if you want
- She provides tips and education around breastfeeding
- She joins you for Drs appointments, infant photo shoots, outings, etc.
- She gives you time to recover, while making sure you have ample time with your little one
- She provides advice, but respects you as the parent, so it's up to you what you follow
- She is so loving and kind. A wonderful person.
- She has 15 years of experience in caring for newborns, including twins.

Overall, I highly recommend not only getting a baby nurse if that is something you are interested in, but I also highly, highly recommend Maureen. She is based in NY, but travels all over the country. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like more advice on my baby nurse experience and/or to learn more about Maureen specifically. I'd be more than happy to share.

If you are interested in Maureen specifically, you can reach out to her directly at: [e-mail] (she goes by her middle name, which is Maureen). Just mention me and DC Urban Moms post.

Hope this is helpful. Thanks!

Meg

[Anonymous]

Maureen is that you? Way to sell yourself wink wink.

[megcolek]

No, it is actually Meg. The individual who hired Maureen. I was just trying to provide some of my experience in case it's helpful and then also recommend Maureen should someone be looking. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

megcolek wrote:No, it is actually Meg. The individual who hired Maureen. I was just trying to provide some of my experience in case it's helpful and then also recommend Maureen should someone be looking. Thanks.

Thank you for posting.

[Anonymous]

Can you give the ballpark on cost? This sounds like an awesome luxury that would seriously improve the first few weeks, but I'm trying to figure out how attainable it is.

[Anonymous]

Unless she is an actual RN, it is illegal to use the term baby nurse. She should be reported the nursing board for misuse of the title. The proper caregiver is either a newborn care specialist or a night nanny. The cheapo help people like to bring in from New York are usually poorly educated in current guidelines, lack proper certifications and do not carry appropriate liability insurance.

This is a luxury service with a luxury price tag. Expect to pay between $30-45 per hour for 20 hours per day if you want round the clock. A 4 hour break isindustry standard.

Please do your due diligence if you are planning g to bring one of these cheap NYC "baby nurses" into your home! There are many skilled providers out there! I am booked many months in advance, mostly through word of mouth and repeat clients. Take the time to make sure your provider has all the necessary qualifications and insurance! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless she is an actual RN, it is illegal to use the term baby nurse. She should be reported the nursing board for misuse of the title. The proper caregiver is either a newborn care specialist or a night nanny. The cheapo help people like to bring in from New York are usually poorly educated in current guidelines, lack proper certifications and do not carry appropriate liability insurance.

This is a luxury service with a luxury price tag. Expect to pay between $30-45 per hour for 20 hours per day if you want round the clock. A 4 hour break isindustry standard.

Please do your due diligence if you are planning g to bring one of these cheap NYC "baby nurses" into your home! There are many skilled providers out there! I am booked many months in advance, mostly through word of mouth and repeat clients. Take the time to make sure your provider has all the necessary qualifications and insurance! Good luck!

What company provides your insurance?

[Anonymous]

I'm also a lactation consultant and post partum doula. CM & F is the insurance company for post partum care providers. I have up to 6 million in coverage, as well as my business is registered as an llc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless she is an actual RN, it is illegal to use the term baby nurse. She should be reported the nursing board for misuse of the title. The proper caregiver is either a newborn care specialist or a night nanny. The cheapo help people like to bring in from New York are usually poorly educated in current guidelines, lack proper certifications and do not carry appropriate liability insurance.

This is a luxury service with a luxury price tag. Expect to pay between $30-45 per hour for 20 hours per day if you want round the clock. A 4 hour break isindustry standard.

Please do your due diligence if you are planning g to bring one of these cheap NYC "baby nurses" into your home! There are many skilled providers out there! I am booked many months in advance, mostly through word of mouth and repeat clients. Take the time to make sure your provider has all the necessary qualifications and insurance! Good luck!

I agree with this. Unless you went through the education and passed state board please stop referring to yourself as "nurse". This does a disservice to the hardworking real nurses out there. A mother/baby nurse is a registered nurse who takes care of a mother and baby moments after parturition (giving birth). If u are a registered nurse specialized in newborn care then my apologies if that isn't the case time to stop this nonsense and just call yourself a baby nanny.

[Anonymous]

I hired someone via webboard, so no company, for $1000 a week for 3 weeks. She was 24/7 live in but of course she slept and napped (since she did night feedings). She was a mom with a kid in college trying to earn extra $.

[Anonymous]

That's $5.95/hr! Wow, that is ridiculously low. I'm sure you paid her legally, too, right? Is that possible when you pay below minimum wage?

[Anonymous]

Why would someone work for so little? I make 1k a week for 50 hours.

[Anonymous]

It's exactly what I was thinking 03:19 cuz I am working/ studying so hard really hard to be called a nurse. So, please, please don't use the term.

[Anonymous]

I had hired a baby nurse who now needs to stay with the other family - very disappointing as we are a week out and I will need to still be engaged at work. Does anyone have any referrals for a live in nurse for a couple of months in the greater dc or NE area? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

megcolek wrote:Hi all -

This is my second post here on DC Urban Moms. My first was about a nanny and I have to say, I found a fantastic nanny through through using this site! I'm a big fan.

With that, I thought it might be beneficial to share my experience with a baby nurse as I had some wonderful DC Urban mom community members give me advice about finding a nanny so I want to return the favor.

I was completely on the fence on getting a baby nurse. My husband encouraged me as he had to go back to work right away. With that, we went with a lovely lady named Maureen who came highly recommended from friends that used her in New York. Let me just say....Maureen was absolutely amazing.

A good example of what Maureen can do - prior to her arrival I was unable to get my daughter to sleep in the bassinet. I could only get her to sleep in my arms or on this magical bobby pillow. Well the first night Maureen was with us, our daughter not only slept in the bassinet, but slept consistently in 3 hour spans. And now at about 1 month old she sleeps for about 4hrs at a time during the night. She's on a great schedule out the gates.

Here is a glimpse at what Maureen does:
- She usually joins families right after you give birth, but I went into labor 2 weeks early and so she joined us right at 2 weeks.
- She moves in with you for a set period of time (I did 2 weeks).
- She not only cares for your child, but she teaches you. I wanted to be super hands on, so she taught me everything from sleep training to pumping regiments to bathing tactics to swaddling, and much more.
- She is incredibly loving and treats your child like he / she was her own.
- She organizes the nursery - clothes, linens, etc.
- She does laundry for the baby and even helped us with some of our laundry
- She cooks for herself and you, if you want
- She provides tips and education around breastfeeding
- She joins you for Drs appointments, infant photo shoots, outings, etc.
- She gives you time to recover, while making sure you have ample time with your little one
- She provides advice, but respects you as the parent, so it's up to you what you follow
- She is so loving and kind. A wonderful person.
- She has 15 years of experience in caring for newborns, including twins.

Overall, I highly recommend not only getting a baby nurse if that is something you are interested in, but I also highly, highly recommend Maureen. She is based in NY, but travels all over the country. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like more advice on my baby nurse experience and/or to learn more about Maureen specifically. I'd be more than happy to share.

If you are interested in Maureen specifically, you can reach out to her directly at: [e-mail] (she goes by her middle name, which is Maureen). Just mention me and DC Urban Moms post.

Hope this is helpful. Thanks!

Meg

This is lovely. Thank you.