What do I look for in a night nanny?

[superbean]

I'm thinking about getting a night nanny a few nights a week to help with my twins when they arrive. I don't think I necessarily need a nurse as such, and I know they will need to be CRB checked, but does anyone know what kind of qualifications a night nanny might have? Any thoughts welcome as this is all new to me.

They might be a nanny with an NNEB or DCE and they might have a sleep training or maternity practioner certificate from MNT. Or they may be very experienced.

References and experience are most important here. Mutliples experience, or training from somewhere like MNT, would be good and night nanny experience is essential - you need to know they can work confidently through the night. Are you planning to BF or FF? If BF then someone with experience supporting BF.

Are you planning to recruit privately or use an agency?

where are you based and when are your babies due?

Remember that when you interview, ask as many questions as you can and make sure that you would be 100% happy to leave that person not only with the babies but also to be in the house with you whilst you are (hopefully) sleeping.

As well as checking their experience and qualifications, I would expect them to have an enhanced CRB, public liabilty insurance and an up to date paeditric first aid certificate.

Its not absolutely necessary but I think you should employ someone that has experience with multiples.

I have never had a night nanny. It does sound a great idea.

I imagine it would be important to have someone who shares a similar parenting philosophy to you. Ie. if you are an easy going hippie then don't recruit Gina Ford.

Prehaps you could test their knowledge of breastfeeding with questions at an interview.

I would interview - personality and experience more important than qualifications, I think.

Thanks for all your comments. I will look into some of those qualifications in more detail so I am prepared!

I am a night nanny and am a qualified childrens nurse. I have night nannied for singles and for twins.

Qualification wise I would suggest someone who has a childcare qualification, first aid, maybe some additional training/qualifications in care of newborns or breastfeeding something that makes them different to another nanny.

You would want someone with experience of newborn multiples, someone who has an idea of routines, happy to follow what you want for your babies ie - do you want a fixed routine or do you want demand feeding inc through the night (most parents want a routine but then dont want babies to cry at all!)

It needs to be someone you would feel comfortable with sleeping in and wandering around your house in the middle of the night, need to consider will you get on with them.

other things to consider are do you space for the nanny to sleep (either a room next to babies or bed in babies room)? Where will your bedroom be in comparison - can you wear earplugs? (make the most of your money and nights sleep!), if you are breastfeeding will you express or will you want waking to feed the babies (everyone I have worked for has gone for express route just so they get their sleep)? do you want a night nanny every night for a few weeks or would you be better having 3 nights a week for a longer period of time?

hope this helps feel free to ask any questions.