What Is a Night Nanny?

It’s impossible to prepare too much for the chaotic evening adventures that come with being a new parent. Nights become long and stressful affairs, and parents can say goodbye to any hope of a good night’s sleep. But there are options to help: consider hiring a night nanny!

Often referred to as “newborn specialists,” night nannies are hired to take care of babies overnight, so parents can get some earned shut-eye. Useful from the moment you leave the hospital, night nannies work from early evening to early morning and can handle all child care duties through the night.

Night nannies also bring a wealth of experience for the new parent. While often night nannies don’t go through a formal training process, their years of hands-on experience provide an invaluable resource for parents and can assist with any parenting challenges you may be struggling with. From breastfeeding woes to setting up the nursery, your night nanny will have your back.

While most night nannies are primarily employed for the first eight to 12 weeks, some families choose to keep them longer. There is no set time when it comes to getting the help you need with your baby. Only you can determine how much help you need while finding your footing. Learning the ropes as a new parent is difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Why Hire a Night Nanny?

Quite simply, social support systems have changed. While in the past extended families were often able to support new parents (the old adage that “it takes a village to raise a child” still stands), distances and schedules today often frustrate such attempts. Families are often scattered across cities, states, or even countries. Or if not geographically separated, the demands of the workday can also interfere. As a dedicated childcare professional, a night nanny may be more readily accessible than any family member, making them an ideal resource.

Many new parents are advised to establish a postpartum plan before birth. Possibly the best postpartum plan you can make is hiring someone for the night shift. Your nanny can guide you on details that slip through the cracks as a new parent, such as sleep and feeding schedules, ensuring time and attention with siblings, and other basic tips about having an infant in the house.

The demands on parents today are high. Between newborns, school runs, work, extracurriculars, homework, and more, parents find themselves tapped out of energy well before the day ends. Allowing a professional to assist you with the evening haul allows you to reset those reserves, ready to meet the demands of a new day. A good night’s sleep goes a long way towards allowing you to be more attentive and keep life running smoothly.

What to Look For in the Right Nanny?

Finding the right night nanny requires forethought and planning. Always remember to carefully consider affordability and experience when looking for a nanny.

It is important to ensure a nanny can fit your household budget. Figure out your requirements: how many hours will you need a night nanny? The temporary nature of the expense can also add a little wiggle room when budgeting.

Likewise, it’s obviously important to verify a candidate’s experience, whether by cross-checking references or more elaborate screening processes. After all, they will be taking care of your child in your home overnight! Call Emmy’s nanny app is a great starting point. All the professionals listed on the app are thoroughly screened, including:

• national, state, and county-level criminal background checks
• a 50-state sex offender search
• social security number tracing
• global watchlist searches

These thorough vetting processes are intended to give you peace of mind so you can move forward with the process of employing the right person for your family.

Refine your expectations and create a list of reasonable responsibilities for your candidates. From there, you can define a job description, establish expenses, and start your search.

Trial Your Nanny to Make Sure They’re A Good Fit

Once you select some promising candidates, bring them in for a trial! This allows you to introduce the nanny to your home and your family, and make sure you and your nanny are on the same page when it comes to caring for your little one.

Communication is key. Make sure you spell out the rules for your home so your nanny knows exactly what is expected of them. But strive to keep your relationship with your nanny positive! Understanding that your nanny is a professional —and communicating with them as such—goes a long way toward ensuring a fruitful night nanny experience.

Hire a Night Nanny Through Call Emmy

These tips are all well and good, you might say, but how do you actually find a night nanny near you? Call Emmy makes this process simple and user-friendly. Call Emmy’s nanny-hiring app platform allows you to screen candidates, make bookings, and communicate with your nanny. They also set an hourly rate based on the average for nannies in your area, so there is no haggling or miscommunication.

Their StayCare utility allows you to plan for the long haul, tapping into a network of over 25,000 sitters to find a regular full- or part-time nanny to suit your schedule. Take a short online onboarding quiz, fill in some basic info about your weekly itinerary, and then Call Emmy will provide you with three candidates to interview and try out. This allows you to find the right person to commit to your family’s schedule.Whether it’s a one-time babysitting emergency or an ongoing need like a night nanny, Call Emmy has you covered. Sign up now and get started today!