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Are you passionate about caring for newborns and supporting new parents? If so, becoming a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) could be the perfect fit for you! This type of work offers a unique chance to make a meaningful difference to families during one of their most critical and vulnerable periods of their lives.
What Exactly is a Newborn Care Specialist?
A Newborn Care Specialist is a highly trained expert dedicated to providing exceptional care for newborns and invaluable support to new parents during those early months. Unlike traditional nannies, NCSs focus solely on newborn care, bringing specialized knowledge and skills to help families navigate the joys and challenges of early parenthood.
If your passion is supporting new families vs taking care of newborns, you might want to consider becoming a Postpartum Doula. [Learn more about the differences between a Newborn Care Specialist and a Postpartum Doula here.]
What to Expect from the Job as a Newborn Care Specialist:
As an Newborn Care Specialist, your role typically includes:
- Providing in home support to newborns and their parents
- Being up to date on relevant products, recalls, safe sleep guidelines, and safe recommendations
- Assisting with feeding, including breastfeeding support, formula preparation, triple feeding, side-lying feeding, paced feeding ect.
- Establishing soothing sleep routines and sleep conditioning
- Offering guidance on infant care and development
- Diapering, umbilical cord, and circumcision care
- Keeping the nursery and baby’s spaces clean and tidy and washing and sterilizing bottles/Pump Parts.
- Troubleshooting common newborn issues like colic, reflux or red-flags of other potential allergies or illnesses and recommending an appropriate referral.
On Overnight shifts:
- Providing overnight care so parents can catch up on much-needed rest
- Establishing longer stretches of sleep
On daytime or 24/7 shifts:
- Organizing the baby’s space and supplies
- Laundering all items related to the newborn [even that were used with the parents]
- Bathing the newborn
- Errands or baby related household tasks
- Light meal prep
How Do I get Trained as a Newborn Care Specialist?
Industry leaders are currently still working on regulating the NCS industry. The gold standard is choosing a course that has been reviewed and accredited by the Newborn Care Specialist Association. If you are interesting in getting trained as a Newborn Care Specialist, you can review their list of approved courses: HERE. These programs should cover essential topics like infant development, feeding techniques, sleep training, and newborn health.
We strongly do not recommend taking a Newborn Care Specialist Course through an agency or through an organization not on this list. There is no way of determining the quality of the information in the course. It might also limit the jobs that you can apply for, and you likely will not be eligible to pursue certification if the course is not reputable.
You should also be up to date on CPR to be able to provide safe care to newborns.
Many Newborn Care Specialists also pursue additional certifications in areas like lactation, sleep training, multiples, or perinatal mental health. The NCSA has a list of recommended courses on their website.
Steps to Become a Newborn Care Specialist!
- Pursue Specialized Training: Join an accredited Newborn Care Specialist training program.
- Obtain Certifications: Complete your CPR and First Aid certifications, and consider earning additional specialized certifications to boost your expertise.
- Gain Experience: Start by working with infants and families to build a strong foundation of practical skills. Some individuals will work in the infant room in a daycare, others will find families in Facebook groups or care.com. Many begin their experience as nannies. Some individuals will offer a reduced rate when gaining experience in exchange for a reference. Some agencies will work with those who are just starting out as well.
- Network and Build Your Reputation: Connect with other professionals in the field and seek mentorship opportunities to enhance your career journey.
- Develop Your Business Skills: As many NCSs work as independent contractors, learning about business management, including invoicing and tax responsibilities, is crucial.
- Once trained and experienced, you might want to consider working for an agency! Our agency, Nightingales, would love to talk to you! We place team members all over the US!
Career Outlook
The demand for knowledgeable and experienced Newborn Care Specialists is on the rise! Families are starting to recognize the benefits of the service.
Some benefits of an NCS:
- Competitive pay, often exceeding traditional nanny roles
- Opportunities to work with a variety of families
- The chance to travel
- A fulfilling career helping families during such an important time
- Most Newborn Care Specialists choose to be independent contractors, who have control of what services and hours they are comfortable providing
- FLEXIBILITY. Whether you want to work 1x a week or 7x a week, if you want to offer days, nights, or 24/7s, 4 hour shifts or 20 hour shifts~ there is a job out there for you!
Conclusion
Becoming a Newborn Care Specialist presents a unique and rewarding career path for anyone passionate about infant care. While the journey requires dedication and continuous learning, the joy of supporting new families and nurturing newborns is truly immeasurable. If you’re ready to take the next step in your childcare career, consider diving into the world of Newborn Care Specialists—you might just discover your true calling!
Still unsure! One of our recruiters would be happy to spend the time to chat out recommendations and solutions with you!
