February 16, 2024

Newborn Care Specialist vs Infant Nanny: What’s the Difference?

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February 16, 2024

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At the Nanny Poppins Agency, we have seen a large rise in our clients looking for a “ Newborn Care Specialist ” over the past two years. We have always placed “Infant Nanny ” positions, but NCS was a newer topic for us. So how are they different, and which one would best suit your family’s needs?
First, what is an Infant Nanny? How is it different from a regular “nanny”? Typically, an infant nanny works specifically with- you guessed it- infants. Most start working with a family shortly after an infant is born or once maternity/paternity/parental leave is over. Many infant nannies will work with a family until the child is considered a toddler, at 12 months old. Some stay for shorter amounts of time (until infants are 6 months, 9 months, etc) and move on to their next contract. Plenty of families hire an infant nanny until the infant is old enough to go to their preferred daycare, so there is a set end date from the start. There are also infant nannies who love working for their employers so much that they stay longer than they intend to! We often see our clients first hire a Newborn Care Specialist, and then an Infant Nanny to start right after.

Now- what is a Newborn Care Specialist? The first major difference is the certification. An infant nanny has a resume stacked with experience, and a Newborn Care Specialist is stacked with certifications and course completions. A Certified Newborn Care Specialist CNCS® must complete an approved foundational NCS course, including any training involved, which is usually 6+ hours. Many (about 2,000) hours of direct professional and/or volunteer work with newborns and infants must also have been completed and verified. From there, they send in all requirements/documentation needed and go on to complete the NCSA exam. In order to receive the official certification, their file and exam is reviewed thoroughly. As the NCS advances in their career, they can complete further levels of certification. 
As your trusted household staffing agency, we will verify these certifications ourselves, as well. Newborn Care Specialists take courses in lactation management and breastfeeding, sleep safety, bonding and attachment, infant developmental health, and maternal mental health. They often work overnight so new parents can get a good sleep. Their contracts with families are usually shorter- as they are with you to help transition you transition into a routine with your new baby, and for your baby to transition into the next phase (which may be staying at home with you, being cared for by a nanny, or daycare). Once they leave your family, they seek out another family to help. Considering their extensive training, courses, examinations, and experience, a Newborn Care Specialist can be costly. This is why you will see some families hire one for a few weeks, as opposed to several months. Sleep for parents of a newborn is scarce and therefore, priceless! 
So now that you’ve read about both roles, which is best for your household? An infant nanny will typically have a lower hourly pay rate and may be best suited for families on their second, third, or further child. Whereas a Newborn Care Specialist can be a huge help and resource for families expecting their first baby. Reach out when you're ready!

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