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Original poster

Advice on hiring a maternity nurse

28 replies

PDR · 17/06/2010 16:36

I am thinking of hiring a maternity nurse when DC2 arrives in February.

I am using an agency and not sure if they are just being pushy, but according to them, now is the time to look as people get booked up really early.

Wondering if anyone has any pointers for the interview (someone coming next weekend) and anything I should be looking out for?

The lady I am interviewing seems quite flexible and has said she could stay on as a day nanny for a few weeks after I feel I no longer need help 24hrs a day.

She has also said she will help with my DS1 which I know some won't do.

Any advice gratefully received

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frakkit · 17/06/2010 19:21

Absolutely agree that good MNs are booked up months in advance. If you think about it in terms of 3 month blocks she'll only have a couple of jobs before you and if someone due Jan wants to book now it would overlap with your booking.

Check, if you want to breastfeed, whether she has experience of supporting BFing and what the arrangements for the night-time would be.

Remember this is going to be someone in your home 24/7 (almost) at a very fragile time for you. If you have any doubts at all, even if it's just on a personal niggling don't-really-click level, don't book her.

Check what the arrangements for deposits etc are too. She should be able to explain how she does business at interview as each MN is different.

Good luck!

PaulaMummyKnowsBest · 17/06/2010 19:04

good maternity nurses get booked very early.

I work as a night nanny and doula and am booked for the rest of the year.

Several clients booked me as soon as they have found out they were pregnant!

Make sure that her ideas about sleeping, crying, routines etc are the same as yours. Check refs thouroughly and make sure any gaps in CVs are accounted for. Ideally they should have first aid, current CRB and public liability insurance.

Missus84 · 17/06/2010 17:08

Make sure your views on feeding/routines etc are the same - some MNs have their own ways of doing things. Speak to her referees yourself, don't just rely on the agency to do it for you.