Inspired by another thread - how do you get to be a maternity nurse, what qualifications do you need?

[FabIsGettingThere]

And how would it work when you have your own young children?

My ideal job would be to bake for a living but since I can't do that (DH says we can open a tea shop when we are older) but I now think I would love to do this on an occasional basis.

Good question... I've done the Maternity Practitioner Award, yet I don't work as a Maternity Nurse. I did try to do some Maternity work but it didn't really work out - mainly due to me being male and mums saying things like "oh I couldn't envisage you seeing me in my nightgown".

I expect that someone who has actually had children of their own, who has breast feed children, will be able to pass on a lot more practical guidance to a first-time mum.

Don't know how you would work it around your own young children... as some maternity nurses could be working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. Personally when I did it, I was just doing the occasional night for families with twins, so the parents could get some sleep!

There is no official course relating to maternity nursing.

I've being maternity nursing now for four years. Before that I nannied for seven years and in each nanny position had at least one newborn, also with one of the families I did the maternity nurse duties for their fourth born from birth until she slept through at nine months. I also have qualifications in early childhood education.

For maternity nursing what works is to have a good bond with an agency as that is the best way(although not the only way) to get MN positions.

You need to be able to be supportive and understand to new parents. And also be comfortable if any problems arise with the baby - I've had babies with pyloric stenosis, reflux, heart problem and long term jaundice. In all cases I had to be very supportive of the parents even though I was freaking out inside.

I think if you have your own children the best roles would be either day or night positions or a few days a week instead of the traditional 24/6.

I love what I do but it's not a long term thing as the long hours are not helping either my health or my social life.

I was a nanny for years. the youngest child I was in sole charge of was 10 weeks and the oldest was 9. I have 3 of my own and have had some difficult times so feel I could cope with most things.

I think it would work better on a short term basis for me but still not quite sure how it will work as dh works full time.

Officially you don't but the MNT or NEST qualifications may help. Experience is much more important! MNT are more recognised than NEST so if you're going to invest I would recommend them.

Why do you want to be a maternity nanny? (personally I don't use the word nurse, I have no medical training) Have you considered night nannying as that might work better with your current schedule? Or working as a post-natal doula? Or training as a BF counsellor? All of those would be good starts to maternity work when your own children are older and you can commit to 6 weeks working 24/6.

If you can work out what it is that attracts you to the job then I'm sure the collective wisdom of MN can find you a part-time similar job description.

i have 3 children of mine own and so mainly do just days or just nights with new parents and their babies.

I am a recognised post natal doula and before I become a doula and maternity nurse, I worked as a sole charge nanny for 15 years.

Most agencies seem to be happy with MNT or lots of experience. Some agencies are better than others and of course the amount of work you get depends on the "need" for maternity services in your area.

I just want to work with babies since dh says no more for me and it would be great to support a new mum.

Maternity support worker in a hospital? Community nursery nurse?

Those would have you working with lots of different mothers and babies and controllable hours.

Night nannying would be good though - often a lot of demand for it, you can control when and how often you work and hopefully it would fit around your DHs work schedule.

Completely aside I'd also love to bake for a living. Is there no way you could do that making wedding cakes etc?

I wouldn't want to make wedding cakes atm. I am a muffin baker though I have just made coconut macaroons and 3 have just fallen into DH's mouth.

Ohhhh you're making me hungry!

I best not tell you that I now have mincemeat custard pies in the oven then had I?

I was a sole charge nanny primarily caring for babies and after 14yrs, i moved into MN.

I did the MNT course which is accredited, more for the certificate than anything else as by the time i did the course i had been MN for almost 3yrs and had done twins and triplets by then.

I am cutting my working time from 24/6 (sometimes 24/13) to 24/5 (sun - fri/ mon - sat) or 24/5½ (sun 9pm - sat 9am).

I have no DC due to internal complications and it is a life that works for DH and I as we were older when we met and it is all we have known (time apart).

Personally I think you need experience of many babies to be able to have advice to offer new parents, the more babies, the more situations, the more knowledge you have.

Well I have 3 of my own and numerous nanny jobs.

I am thinking this might be something for the future as I can't get my head round how it would work with dh working the hours he does.

certainly doable Fab.

Still looking into it Fab?