A Newborn Care Specialist, NCS, is the new term for a baby nurse.  In some states it is illegal to use the term “nurse” when referring to a non medical position, therefore NCS is a more appropriate term for those of us who are not LPN's or RNs.  NCS’s, or non-medical baby nurses, specialize in the in-home care of infants from when they come home from the hospital (if applicable) till around 3 months of age.  Although some NCS’s and baby nurses are NCSA Certified, licensed or registered nurses, or accredited doulas, these are not necessary requirements or qualifications of a good, effective professional NCS.

Newborn Care Specialists educate parents on simple techniques, help them distinguish their babies cries, signs, and indicators about what they are and aren't ready for.   The NCS is best qualified over any other type of in-home child care provider to help well meaning (and often mis-guided) parents sort through all the many theories and emotions of parenthood.  NCSs often come in at night to relieve parents of night care.  This is to foster and promote parents getting a full night’s sleep for their own and their babies’ sake!  Good parents need good rest, so we are there to get the baby sleeping 8-12 hours through the night at 8-12 weeks old, but we can’t do it without parents cooperation and support.  

Newborn Care Specialists might be best known for swaddling!  We believe in swaddling for many timeless reasons and will be happy to convert you in a matter of days!  Everything we do is intended on easing the transition for the family during the newborn stage.  We help parents establish and maintain feeding and sleeping schedules for their babies, answer their questions, teach them the tricks of the trade and make things a lot happier and easier for everyone in the household.

Other basic duties of the NCS are: 
Sleep Training
Colic and Reflux care
Umbilical Cord careCircumcision care
Rash & Thrush care
Bottle preparation, cleaning, and sterilizing
Breast Feeding support
Formula Awareness & Support
Diapering
Dressing                                  
Bathing (techniques babies love)                                                              Heather Rickard
Organization & maintenance of nursery (daytime NCS only)                       NCS                  
Logging Feeds, Sleep, Behavioral Patterns, and Medication                           about me 
Establishing Daytime Routines
Advice and Support for Happy, Well Rested, Empowered Parenting

Some Advanced Duties include:
Multiples
Apnea and other Monitors
Awake Night Duty
Caring for Medical Issues

You can have a western medically inclined NCS or baby nurse, or a holistic NCS, doula, newborn or night nanny.  It is up to you to choose the care approach that fits your family’s needs.  Your NCS will suggest what she knows to be best, but the parents always have the final say when it comes to the care of their babies! 
                                                     We are here for you!
                                                                

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 Doulas & Nannies

Doulas are more of the Mother's Servant and can help with pregnancy, delivery and adjusting to parenthood.  Some Newborn Care Specialists are also doulas, but this is a wonderful yet different specialty!  There are so many wonderful doulas out there all with different experience,  focuses and specialities.

Nannies are child care providers who live in or live out and tend to the needs of the children.  They may also run errands and do housework, and care for children of all ages.  They may or may not be educated in their profession, but most had babysitting experience that lead them to becoming a nanny.  A good majority of nannies are college age girls balancing work, school and studying.  Nannies are not usually qualified to guide or consult parents on child care or parenting, but generally are there to follow parents guidance and instructions on child care. 

Newborn Nannies are nannies who care for babies, some are NCSs and some are just nannies who prefer working with infants.

Night Nannies are generally nannies who relieve parents at night but few are actually NCSs. 

The Newborn Care Specialist Association is Working to Set a Higher Standard in the US and Europe for Newborn Care by Educating, Training, Qualifying, and Certifying Newborn Care Specialists and Baby Nurses. For more info go to  ncsainfo.com  To find out how you can get involved email contact@ncsainfo.com