QOD: What is a night nurse?
A night nurse is a nurse or other child care helper who stays in your home overnight to help you with your new baby. Often they begin their duties just after birth but they can also begin working for you when you return to work after maternity leave.
The job of a night nurse is to take care of the baby at night so that you can get some rest. If you are breastfeeding and want to nurse, they will bring you the baby when it is time to feed and then get them back settled once you are done.
Their work hours and length of stay depend on your needs. Typically they are different than a nanny in that night nurses don't usually remain with a family long term. They can be found by word of mouth or online and their credentials vary. As with any person you hire to work with your children, we recommend you fully screen them before you welcome them into your home.
Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, July 2019
I just recently heard of this, but I honestly don’t know that it’s for me. I think part of parenting is experiencing all of the ups as well as the downs. However, everyone’s situation is different and for some this might be the way to go.
Fortunately, my Mom stayed with me for two weeks after both of my girls were born to help out but I would have loved to hire a night nurse for when she left! Does insurance cover the costs of a night nurse or do you pay out of pocket?