5 Questions to Ask a Night Nurse
Families with newborns have unique and special needs. After researching references and background checks, here are 5 questions to ask potential newborn care providers:
1. Do you have your flu shot?
Babies cannot receive a flu shot before 6 months of age so they are especially vulnerable to influenza. Parents should know that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls the ̶0;mandatory immunization of all health care personnel an ̵6;ethical, just, and necessary̵7; means to improve patient safety.”
2. Are you up to date on all other vaccinations?
Hepatitis B, MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough) should all be current and documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control, TDaP ̶0;is especially important for̷0;anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months̷0;Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.”
Even if an adult has had the TDaP vaccine as a child, whooping cough booster shots are recommended for adults.
3. How will you support my feeding decisions?
While your doula or newborn caregiver may be experienced, you are the parent and decide what̵7;s best for your family. Asking how your feeding decisions will be supported is a great conversation to have before baby arrives. If breastfeeding is a priority for example, you may want someone who is comfortable troubleshooting potential challenges. If you̵7;d like to use or supplement with formula, you want to be sure to have a caregiver who is supportive of that decision.
4. What kind of Experience, relevant Certifcates or Continuing Education do you have?
For babies 0-1 year old, caregivers should demonstrate thorough knowledge of basic safety, carseat safety and reducing the risk of SIDS. If you̵7;d like to be sure your caregiver understands how to reduce the risk of SIDS, the AAP offers a comprehensive, free online course, which issues a certificate after completion.
First Aid and CPR Certification should also be a given for every caregiver. Other continuing education and safety courses offered by regulated agencies show a caregiver̵7;s commitment to their profession and an understanding that recommendations for baby care can change over time.
Experience is another excellent indicator of how committed a newborn caregiver is to their profession and there are many wonderful night nannies and newborn care providers without certificates and formal training. Just because someone has taken a newborn care training class doesn’t mean they have ever held a baby.
On the same note, nurses and clinically trained caregivers are licensed and accountable to the state where they are licensed.
It̵7;s important to note that only professionals who have completed Registered Nursing, Certified Nurse Midwife or other higher level Licensed Nursing degrees should be called ̶0;nurse̶1; or ̶0;baby nurse.̶1; Without these licensures, is actually illegal to use the term ̶0;baby nurse̶1; in many states.
5. What is your philosophy on care and how will you soothe my baby?
Caregivers who understanding how to support philosophies and goals such as attachment parenting, sleep training, a baby-led approach and other early care intentions create a partnership between families and caregivers, not just a ̶0;babysitter̶1; relationship.
On this note, you may wish to ask your night nurse or doula how s/he typically soothes baby. Someone who can explain many safe ways to comfort babies is not only demonstrating experience, but also that they understand that each little child has different needs.
As you search for the perfect caregiver, we hope these questions will help!
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