Newborn Care Specialist vs. Newborn Care Expert

You’re considering hiring a professional to help with your new baby – but what kind of newborn professional is right for your family? When it comes to caring for newborns, there are a variety of professionals available to support new parents. Two common titles you may encounter are “Newborn Care Specialist” and “Newborn Care Expert.”

While Newborn Care Specialist and Newborn Care Expert are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between the two. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences between a Newborn Care Specialist vs. Newborn Care Expert as well as related titles such as “night nurse”, “baby nurse”, “night nanny” and Postpartum Doula.

Newborn Care Specialist vs. Newborn Care Expert

A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is a professional credential overseen by the Newborn Care Specialist Association (NCSA). To become an NCS, individuals must complete a comprehensive training program and pass an exam to demonstrate their expertise in newborn care. NCS’s are highly skilled in areas such as feeding, sleep conditioning, soothing techniques, and teaching parents how to care for their baby. They can also go on to become Certified as a Newborn Care Specialist through the NCSA, CACHE or sometimes another third party organization.

In contrast, the term “Newborn Care Expert” is a credential that is not currently formally recognized by the NCSA or in the industry. Individuals who use the NCE title may or may not have completed a newborn care training, and trainings that offer the NCE credential after completion are not currently approved for accreditation by the NCSA. As such, a Newborn Care Expert may or may not reflect the same level of training and expertise as a Newborn Care Specialist. Newborn Care Experts may have relevant experience, but their qualifications can vary widely.

What is the Newborn Care Specialist Association?

The Newborn Care Specialist Association (NCSA) is a professional organization that sets the standards and guidelines for Newborn Care Specialists. The NCSA oversees the training, certification, and continuing education of NCSs to ensure they provide the highest level of care for newborns and their families.

To become an NCSA-certified NCS, individuals must complete a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as newborn care, feeding, sleep, safety, and developmental milestones. They must also pass a rigorous exam to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as well as take additional courses and prove their experience with newborns. Once certified, NCS’s must maintain their credentials through ongoing education and professional development.

Other Types of Newborn Care Professionals

In addition to Newborn Care Specialists and Newborn Care Experts, there are several other types of professionals who may provide support for newborns and their families:

1. Night Nurses/Baby Nurses: These are typically individuals with experience in newborn care, but not necessarily with training. “Baby nurses” and “night nurses” often provide 24/7 newborn care or overnight care, living in with families during the postpartum period. It’s important to note that night nurses/baby nurses are commonly NOT medical professionals such as Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses.
2. Newborn Nannies: Newborn nannies/ Night nannies assist with nighttime care, including feeding, diaper changes, and soothing the baby. They likely do not have the same level of specialized training as a Newborn Care Specialist.
3. Postpartum Doulas: Postpartum doulas provide emotional, physical, and practical support to new parents during the postpartum period. During the day, they may assist with baby-adjacent tasks such as folding baby laundry, meal preparation, and breastfeeding support. Some postpartum doulas do also work overnight, and their services may be eligible for reimbursement through health insurance providers or third parties such as Carrot Fertility if they are a Certified Postpartum Doula through an approved program.

The Team At Nightingale Night Nurses

At Nightingales, our team members must take an approved and reputable Newborn Care Specialist or Postpartum Doula training course. Our team members have all been through outsourced, accredited trainings that are up-to-date on best practices and evidence-based. We do not accept untrained or undertrained caregivers on our team, period. Experience alone is not enough to guarantee that our team members have the knowledge to provide safe care.

Many of our team members have also pursued additional training and credentials such as:

• Registered Nurse [RN]
• Licensed Practical Nurse [LPN]
• Lactation Counselor [CLC]
• Lactation Educator [CLE]
• New Parent Educator [CNPE]
• Pediatric Sleep Consultant [CPSC]
• Child Passenger Safety Technician [CPST]
• Birth/Labor Doula [BD or LD]
• Childbirth Educator [CBE]
• …and more!

Our team brings a diverse background and wealth of experience and training to the table. Contact us to set up a call to learn more about our team and the services we provide! We would be honored to help you find a Newborn Care Specialist near you!