Maternity Nannies

What is a Maternity Nanny/ Maternity Nurse?

A maternity nanny is on duty 24 hours a day six days a week and their role is helping new mothers in all aspects of caring for the newborn, from breast feeding to establishing a routine and bathing, and helping a mum to get back on her feet.

Maternity nannies generally sleep with their charges and either bring the baby to mum for breast feeding during the night or bottle feeding the baby themselves so that the mother has a chance to recover from the birth.

The maternity nanny is there to provide the mother with a sense of security during those physically and mentally exhausting first few weeks after childbirth. For those mothers who don't have family support close at hand or who have had twins or a caesarean it can be an invaluable help. A comforting presence and a willing pair of hands at 3am can make an enormous difference.

Maternity Nurse/ Maternity Nanny Qualifications

People tend to assume that maternity nurses are nannies with some kind of specialist qualification in the field of newborns. This is rarely the case. Most maternity nurses tend to be very experienced nannies. However some are registered nannies, ex-midwives or health visitors.

View more information about childcare qualifications.

Maternity Nanny/ Maternity Nurse Duties

• Maternity nannies and nurses provide total care for mother and baby. They advise on breast feeding and any problems arising from it, teaching first time mothers how to bath and become comfortable around baby, helping establish a routine and providing moral support for the mother when she most needs it.
• Maternity nannies will deal with all the baby's laundry, sterilise bottles and prepare light meals for the mother if she is not up to it.
• Maternity nannies should involve any other children in the house with the baby but shouldn't be expected to look after other siblings - they are there primarily for the care of mother and baby.

maternity-nannies.phpMaternity Nanny/ Maternity Nurse Salary

• Maternity nurses earn anything from £550 per week when training, to over £600 per week when fully qualified and experienced (It can be even more for twins).
• Daily maternity nurses earn at least £75 per day.
• They usually take care of their own tax and National Insurance contributions because they are self-employed. Sara Graff is a qualified chartered accountant and is happy to advise on tax and national insurance issues for maternity nannies and maternity nurses. Please contact Sara for more details.
• If the baby hasn't arrived by the time the nanny is due to start work, she should be paid half pay for the first week and full pay for the second week of waiting.
• Maternity nanny fees may be claimed from a private healthcare provider if your nanny is a registered midwife and you have had a caesarean or other birth complications.

Maternity Nanny hours of work

The maternity nanny is on duty 24 hours a day six days a week. However, they must be given at least one full day off a week.

Interviewing for a Maternity Nanny

Points to think about when interviewing for a maternity nanny or maternity nurse:

• Ask about their views about bottle vs. breast-feeding. You want to find someone who will support you in any decision you make rather than forcing you in one direction or the other.
• Ask about whether they smoke.
• Ask about what their views are on routines. Make sure you are happy about them before making a booking.
• What are their views about you popping in to see the baby whenever you wish? You may, in the middle of the night, have an overwhelming urge to check your baby is alright and you must be able to feel that you can go to the baby's room and see your baby without upsetting your nanny.
• If you want to use any special equipment such as a breathing monitor on the cot tell your maternity nanny about it before hand.
• Ask about what sort of emergencies they have and which her first aid qualifications they hold.
• Think about what sort of maternity nanny you want. Some have very definite ideas about a baby's first weeks and will start encouraging routines as soon as they arrive. Others are laid back and go with the flow.
• Talk about the sort of problems that you might encounter during the first few weeks such as colic and reflux and ask how they would help you deal with them.
• The weeks after the birth are a special time for you as a family, so talk about eating schedules and time off. You want to make sure they are sensitive to your needs to be alone with your family and new baby.

Where to find a Maternity Nanny or Maternity Nurse?

Most maternity nannies are registered with agencies and are booked up months in advance. Don't leave it until the last minute. If you want a good maternity nanny you really need to start looking as soon as you know you are pregnant to guarantee a good selection to choose from. If you are desperate it is possible to get last minute bookings. Mothers who are finding it hard to cope or who have delivered early and want help until their proper maternity nanny starts can call the agencies to find them an 'emergency'.