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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminder for a newborn, where do I start?

26 replies

aiti72 · 15/05/2008 15:26

Hi, DD2 is due on 26th of July and we need to have someone every weekday to take care of her (on Isle of Dogs in London)from 8am to 12am(DD1 in school). Please don't think I'm a horrible mum, just need to sleep a few hours in the morning as never managed that in the night with DD1 either. But where should I start as I don't even know what these newborn childminders are called? I'd be grateful for any advice on where to look.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MrsBadger · 15/05/2008 15:31

is this in your own home, yes?

then you need a nanny or a maternity nurse

Original poster

aiti72 · 15/05/2008 15:58

Yes, it's our home. Stupid question alert: what's the difference between nanny and maternity nurse?

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AtheneNoctua · 15/05/2008 16:40

Do you work? For how long do you require this help? Are you going back to work.

Maternity nurse specialises in new born care. A nanny is more a jack of all trades who might work for youfor years to come.

You are not a horrible mum. You are lucky to be able to afford this kind of care whilst you are at home. I'm sure many mums (and dads) are envious.

frannikin · 15/05/2008 16:43

Maternity nurse usually work 24/6.

Have you thought about a post-natal doula?

AtheneNoctua · 15/05/2008 16:47

If you are going tobe there, you could hire a nanny with a little bit of experience (who want to get more experience) for a much more reasonable rate that a maternity nurse.

I gather you are looking for live-out?

Your timing is perfect if you want a summer au pair to come help out while you are around.

Original poster

aiti72 · 15/05/2008 17:00

I don't work (outside the home, anyway) and would probably require this help until the new baby sleeps at night (from past experience I have to make sure not to get exchausted). We're looking for a live-out help as our house is not big enough and would need help only with the baby, no housework etc. I guess doula is more like mother's help..

OP posts:

anyoneoutthere · 15/05/2008 18:10

Where abouts are you?

Original poster

aiti72 · 15/05/2008 18:44

I'm near Canary Wharf in London.

OP posts:

TeaDr1nker · 15/05/2008 18:47

Some maternity nurses live out, advertise in 'The Lady' magazine - that's where i found mine, and she lived out.

yogimum · 15/05/2008 18:51

A maternity nanny/nurse is the same thing but you may find someone who has lots of baby experience who is looking to get into the maternity nurse line of work or a doula who will have the experience with newborns. I could reccommend a good maternity nurse agency or look on the doula uk website.

seeker · 15/05/2008 18:58

If you need someone to keep an eye on her and bring her to you when she needs feeding, you don't really need a maternity nurse do you? Wouldn't an au pair or someone like that do? Or even another mum?

anyoneoutthere · 15/05/2008 20:30

I think you'd be better off with a nanny. www.gumtree.com or familiesonline.co.uk would be your best bet

phraedd · 15/05/2008 20:32

You need someone who is capable of looking after a newborn baby

Either get an experienced maternity nanny or a post natal doula

If you were a bit closer, i would have been able to help you!

Original poster

aiti72 · 15/05/2008 20:56

Thank you so much for your kind advice, ladies. Seeker, that's exactly what I was thinking, like maybe a maternity nurse would be almost too overpowering if I'm at home with them. On the other hand I need to be sure the person is good enough with the baby, otherwise end up worrying about them both and not getting rest. Will certainly check all the links/contacts you give me!

OP posts:

yogimum · 15/05/2008 21:04

Hi, it depends on the maternity nurse. I'm a maternity nurse and not overpowering at all. I think you are right though that you should have someone you feel comfortable with so you can relax and get some rest.

BEAUTlFUL · 15/05/2008 21:37

Stupid question, but... Are you sure you wouldn't really need help for non-baby stuff, like the school run, housework, etc? The baby will sleep a lot itself from 8am-12pm, and when it's not asleep you'll need to be feeding it, so the nanny would only wake you up...

My 2nd LO is now 3 months old, and really I didn't need any baby help, it was all the other stuff that has to be done. The baby can sleep with you.

seeker · 15/05/2008 21:43

That is SO sensible, beautiful. The "staff" I would kill for is a housekeeper. Imagine never having to think about loo rolls ever again! And when ds was born it would have been wonderful to have somebody on hand to do the school run and buy the cat food.

LyraSilvertongue · 15/05/2008 21:43

I think Beautiful's right. Getting all the other stuff taken care of would take the pressure off so you can curl up and sleep with your baby.
DS2 slept 22 hours a day when he was first born.

BEAUTlFUL · 15/05/2008 21:50

With the 2nd child, you're so blase about the baby! But that school run... Argh.

BEAUTlFUL · 15/05/2008 21:53

Or you could employ a night nurse. Now that would be bliss!

Original poster

aiti72 · 16/05/2008 10:04

Beautiful, I hope you're right about being blase, with DD1 I never slept when she was sleeping, only when I gave her to my aunt in the morning(was home in Finland) and could close the bedroom door and be alone for three hours without the possibility to be awaken in any minute. It worked perfectly and my aunt gave her the bottle(both breastmilk and formula). It worked perfectly and after those 3 to 4 uninterrupted hours I felt like a new woman!

Yogimum, I hope your didn't think I was being rude, would love a maternity nurse, but they don't seem to work part-time and maybe our situation doesn't need that level of expertise.

Yesterday I was contacted by a 28-year old fellow Finnish woman who said she's looking for work with children for two months in the summer. She sounds very nice, the only problem is she has been working with children from 6months up and am not sure if she manages with a newborn. Frankly, I don't remember how it was taking care of a newborn myself! But surely with a lot of experience with children in general she wouldn't be any worse choice than an aupair? Sorry this was long...

OP posts:

Original poster

aiti72 · 16/05/2008 10:10

...and perfectly repeating myself in sententes..

OP posts:

silentmadge · 16/05/2008 10:19

Well, newborns aren't that hard work for 4 hours a day if you've had a full nights sleep! I don't think you need a maternity nurse, just a nanny or au pair, maybe even a student with the summer holidays free?

LyraSilvertongue · 16/05/2008 14:14

Au pairs live in though.
The Finnish woman sounds like a good idea.

snoopydog · 21/05/2008 01:19

Hi I am a 29 yr old NNEB looking for 3 day wk nanny job Have nannied for two families in past. Live locally to you E16 area. My children are growing up and are quite independant.. Wonder if we could chat more about what you specificaly need.
Lucy 07944 457198

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