You’re having twins. You’re feeling overwhelmed. You think you will need help. Hire a full- time baby nurse, right? Maybe.
A baby nurse can be a wonderful way to transition into motherhood. By having the right baby nurse you will have help with scheduling, feeding, and bathing – and you will be able to get some much needed sleep. That said, having the wrong baby nurse can turn your initial motherhood experience into a disaster. Yikes.
I have spoken with so many moms who were unhappy with their baby nurse, myself included. The stories are crazy. What went wrong? Miscommunication? Unrealistic expectations on both sides? Mismatched personalities? I could go on and on guessing where the breakdown was.
After hearing all of these stories of disappointment, anger and frustration, I have put together a list of some things to keep in mind when hiring a baby nurse. Here’s to a happy baby nurse experience!
- Make certain the baby nurse has newborn twin experience. Check her references.
- Meet her before you hire her. I recommend an in-person interview.
- Be very clear about what you want her role to be. Write out your expectations and share them with her upon your initial meeting. If she does not agree with the job description then you know she is not the right nurse for you.
- Discuss the living arrangements. Will she have her own room? Private bathroom? Will you be providing food for her? Who is responsible for keeping her living area clean?
- How many hours per day will she get for herself? Yes, baby nurses get downtime.
- Who will take care of the babies over night? Do you want to feed them? Do you want her to?
- When company comes to visit what would you like her to do? Assist with the babies? Take a break?
- Do you want her to come to pediatrician visits with you?
- Would you like her to do laundry for the babies?
- If a holiday occurs during the time that she is going to work with you, will she get that day off? Will she be paid?
- A deposit to secure a baby nurse is routine. No additional money should be given upfront. Also check rates to make sure you are being quoted a fair price.
Though I know there are many terrific private baby nurses out there, I recommend going through an agency. The agency does background checks, has policies that all the baby nurses need to follow, and can immediately replace a baby nurse if the “fit” is not right.
Remember, the role of the baby nurse is to take care of your babies. You need to feel that your babies are in good hands and that you have a good relationship with the person who is helping you.
Happy Twinning!!
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Jennifer Genel is a renowned twin expert and licensed social worker. She is an associate at Twin Love Concierge, USA’s Premier Twin Specialists.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.
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