A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), also called an infant care specialist or baby nurse, is a professional that assists in all aspect of newborn care for the new parents. The NCS can be live-in or work specific hours each day and live offsite.

The primary role of an NCS is to take care of newborn duties to give the new parents time to rest, work, and not feel so overwhelmed by their new baby. In addition, the baby nurse is there so parents can gradually adjust to having a new baby in the home, while their baby adjusts to a new schedule that better reflects that of the parents.

Duties of a Newborn Care Specialist

An NCS works specific shifts based on the need of the family. For example, it is not uncommon to have your NCS work overnight so you and your spouse can sleep. During the night, the NCS makes sure your baby is fed, changed, rocked, held, and given the attention they require when they are awake.

Some families hire two baby nurses—one to assist during the day and another to assist at night. This is especially helpful when both parents work and the mother is ready to return to work. Some of the more common duties you can expect your NCS to take care of include:

• Feeding
• Changing Diapers
• Bathing
• Infant Laundry
• Sterilizing Bottles
• Changing Infant Bedding
• Lactation Assistance for Nursing Mothers
• Soothing Your Baby to Sleep
• Playing with Your Baby During Waking Hours
• Toilet Training

A newborn care specialist only performs duties related directly to your newborn. They typically do not cook, clean, run errands, or do other such tasks.

The Primary Role of a Nanny

Nannies are also professional childcare providers. Nannies can live in or live offsite and work specific hours. Unlike an NCS, a nanny provides childcare services for older children after they have been toilet trained.

Their primary role is to ensure your children are taken care of when you are not home or available. They can pick up your children from school, make sure they complete homework assignments, feed them an afternoon snack, and provide playtime and stimulation to keep them entertained.

Nannies can also perform other types of household duties and tasks such as:

• Light Cleaning
• Laundry
• Dish Washing
• Meal Preparation
• Bathing
• Reading Stories
• Outings to Museums, Parks, Libraries, etc.
• Taking Your Children to School/Sporting/Social Events and Activities
• Arts and Crafts
• Putting Your Children to Bed

The household duties a nanny performs are almost always directly related to the care of your children. Nannies typically work during the daytime and into the early evening. However, they may also provide additional childcare services like when you and your spouse are traveling for business or want to go out for the evening for a date night or attend a social event.

In households where there are children of different ages and a baby, it is not uncommon to have both an NCS and a nanny. The NCS takes care of the baby while the nanny takes care of the older children.

For more information about hiring a nanny or newborn care specialist, or other household staff, contact Staffing at Tiffanie’s at 866-484-5550 today! We offer access to a wide range of professionals to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and domestic staffing needs.