The Tiny Human Tamer

“An NCS is generally hired to care for newborns either overnight or around the clock, and works independently with minimal guidance from parents. They are familiar with all of the “normal” appearances and behaviors of a newborn, and can help families determine when something is outside of that range of normal in order for parents to have peace of mind that their newborn is developing appropriately. An NCS often has extensive knowledge in caring for multiples or premature infants, and is well versed in establishing good eating and sleeping habits to set the optimal stage for sleep conditioning, with the goal of getting the newborn to sleep through the night and take age appropriate naps as soon as is healthy and possible for that individual newborn. An NCS is also well versed in supporting family values and understands the importance of a child having healthy, educated, and empowered parents. An NCS will understand the value of and will support a breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent, and will also understand and support without judgment a parent who chooses to formula feed, no matter the reason. They will also have a basic understanding of Postpartum Mood Disorders, and can help keep the entire family healthy by knowing when to suggest outside help. The most recent information on optimal newborn care is something that the NCS keeps up with, and those resources are shared with families in order for parents to make educated decisions based on current research and what works best for their family dynamic and values. The NCS is willing to mentor others and be mentored whenever it is appropriate, and fully understands the scope of practice they should work within at all times.” (International Nanny Association)

“The term “Newborn Care Specialist” (NCS) was coined in 2007 when industry leaders, who were gathered at an INA conference, saw the need to have an appropriate and cohesive term to describe someone who focused on the care of newborns. The previous term used by most of the industry was “night nurse” or “baby nurse,” and as most of the women who fall into the category of Newborn Care Specialist were not Registered Nurses, that term was not only inappropriate, but also illegal.” (International Nanny Association)

“A doula provides physical, educational, and emotional support.” (ProDoula.com)

“A postpartum doula is a woman who assists a new mother, baby, and the rest of the family within the first few weeks after birth.” (CAPPA.net)

The roles of a postpartum doula and a newborn care specialist are very similar. The difference is: the postpartum doula focuses on the family as a whole, and the newborn care specialist focuses mostly on the newborn.

I recommend enlisting support for at least the first two weeks home. The first two weeks are a whirlwind, especially for women. Your body is recovering from birth, your hormones are regulating, you have another human completely dependent on you to take care of them, and it feels impossible to get enough sleep. It’s the time where most women experience the “Baby Blues” and don’t typically receive any support from their doctors. It’s also the time when breastfeeding moms are trying to establish their supply and figure out the breastfeeding relationship. Adding support into this crucial time is often the most beneficial for both the parents and the baby, reduces the likelihood of developing a perinatal mood disorder, and sets a strong foundation for parenting.

That’s amazing! I am so glad you have a support system. The more support you have, the better the likelihood that you will create a stronger attachment to your child and be less likely to suffer from a mood disorder like Postpartum Depression.

Friends and family can be very helpful, but they often are not wholly focused on the new family and their needs. Instead many focus only on the baby and offer up their own opinions of how you “should” be doing things. This can make new parents sometimes feel like they have guests to accomodate in a time where they need to focus on themselves and their new family system.

I am there to focus on you and only you without bias and without judgement. I have highly specialized education I use to teach you, and your friends or family. Due to my experience, I am very good at being efficient in the background, and in helping to manage guests.

The more support you have in the first year, the easier your transition into your new family system will be.

When people see or hear the word “postpartum,” they generally associate it with the perinatal mood disorder, Depression. However, “postpartum” means something else entirely. The dictionary defines postpartum as simply, “following childbirth.” The medical community generally places the postpartum period as, “within the first year after the birth of a child.” 

Postpartum Depression is one of many Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) and is developed anytime within the first year after giving birth. It is commonly recognized as the “Baby Blues,” but it is something else entirely.

The “Baby Blues” are the emotional roller coaster that most women experience within the first two weeks after childbirth.

If you are experiencing symptoms and are not sure if it is Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression, please reach out to your doctor.