Hi there, I'm having a think about what help to get when my second baby arrives in March as my first one will only be 12 months old then, and I have no family help at all and hubby works long hours.

I was thinking about getting someone in who could look after both babies while I catch up on some sleep for a couple of mornings a week.

Or maybe an overnight person to look after the newborn a couple of nights a week to ensure I get a good night's sleep twice a week!

Do such people exist? I know there are nannys, but they charge £10+ an hour and probably won't want to do just a few hours a week for me. And TBH I balk at paying £10+ an hour when I'm at home at the same time, so it's not sole responsbility if you see what I mean???

Do you think babysitters exist in the daytime or do I need a mother's help or something? I'm not sure what the difference is.

Many thanks for any advice you can give. I live in SW London.

Nic

you can ask a doula or maternity nanny to work days and / or nights but they may cost more than £10 per hour.

I charge £15 per hour for this service but have 16 years of experience behind me as well as being a mum to 3 children myself. you can ask a mothers help to do days for less but the level of experience isn't there.

You are talking about leaving 2 babies in the hands of someone else.....surely you want capable, experienced hands if you're to sleep well?

Hi Nicdigby, sorry can't help you, but just to say , this is the thing i do, i can't work full time , because i have a child of my own with SN ,so i offer my services to mums who need just a few hours help , in situations like yours.
I am sure you will be able to find someone who has had good baby experience and is looking for a few hours work . some mother's helps i have spoken to and worked along side are more than capable of taking care of babies ,after all if there is a real problem they can always come and wake you .preahaps also a nanny with school age children ,looking for extra work might work for you too . Good luck in your serch.

Hi

I am an ad-hoc nanny who does odd hours here and there. AND I DONT CHARGE £10+ PER HOUR!!!! I live in Croydon and dont drive - but happy to travel to surrounding areas.

If i can be of any help, feel free to email me on adhocnanny@ymail.com

yes i do this as I work part time, and i temp/ad hoc/emergancy care the other 2 days o r go to the pub for lunch - obv not when im working

£10ph for a reliable, experienced nany is not a lot of money imo - if you want to pay less, then you may get a less experienced person who may not be confident

2 under 13mths is hard work - my last job was 13mths apart

mothers help are def cheaper, but i wouldnt leave a mh in charge of 2 small babies while you sleep - you say it is not sole responsbility BUT if you want to sleep etc, then they will be sole charge

but a mothers help will help you with housework/cleaning/ironing which most nannies wont

its not much use to you having someone and you helping them if you want to rest

most night nannies charge £8 an hr plus for single babies, £12 an hr plus for twins. I personally charge £12 an hr as a night nanny for singles but have often done work for £10 an hr as a night nanny always happy to negotiate.

during the day you could get a mothers help who would prob cost you around £5 net an hr.

or perhaps a nanny wanting to get into night nanny work who doesnt have any night nanny experience and very little if any newborn experience for around £6 an hr. That way they would be getting the expeirence they need and you the sleep you need.

also if you contact local college they are usually looking for families to place childcare students with so you could have some help from there this would be free to you and a learning experience for the young person but would mean you wouldnt be able to pop to bed!!

post natal doulas vary in price and as well as having the babies for you , they will help you around the home

Hi I might be able to help you out please do send me an email to amanda@stoneleighbabymassage.co.uk and I can tell you more about me, send you some refs etc. Thanks

Hi Nicdigby,

I`m an experienced nanny(over 7 years)and keen to go into maternity/ night nannying so willing to reduce the rate(open to offers).

I`m first aid qualified, CRB checked, Ofsted Registered with fantastic references from current and previous employers and I also live in SW London.

Please, let me know if you are interested.

Regards,
Mtorun@gmail.com

Baby sitters are not registered/insured etc unless they want to be. So they can only look after a child during traditional baby sitting hours ie 6pm to 2am. Any hours outside of this are limited to "anyone can look after a child for upto 1 hour 55 minutes for no pay" (pay includes flowers, or even looking after a child for them in return). The exception is if they are close relatives. So technically your child can only visit at a school friend's house for under 2 hours.

Anyway the short answer that I seem to have diverted from is that babysitters dont wotk during the day. You need a form of registered childcare.

maggi

doulas and maternity nannies will work during the day

They are not necessarily registered childcare but are still available for daytime work as long as it is in the childrens own home

babysitter is just a term and not a always an evening thing.

agree with phreadd = childcarers, esp if they come to your home to help you/care for the baby do not have to be registered

though def check their references