Night nanny - worth it?

[caniaskaquestionplease]

Hi - I'm wondering if anyone used a night nanny and whether they thought it was worth it? I know if I want one I have to book months and months in advance and it is v. v. expensive. Do people have a night nanny every night for a few weeks, or is it 3/4 nights a week - how does it work?

Thanks in advance!!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

If you've got the money you might be better off paying someone to come in and do all the non-baby stuff, cooking, cleaning, bringing you snacks etc?

[TradedAtlanta]

I know a night nanny who recommends that a breastfeeding mother expresses for all feeds and never actually puts the baby to the breast. That way the baby will accept a bottle and the night nanny can do all the feeding in the night. Apparently the baby then accepts care from different people more easily. The thought of that makes me really sad tbh.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

@TradedAtlanta

I know a night nanny who recommends that a breastfeeding mother expresses for all feeds and never actually puts the baby to the breast. That way the baby will accept a bottle and the night nanny can do all the feeding in the night. Apparently the baby then accepts care from different people more easily. The thought of that makes me really sad tbh.

I’m expressing and bottle feeding my DD2 because of latching issues and extreme pain. DH and I are the only ones feeding her though for bonding and comfort. We don’t want her being passed about to anyone and everyone.

[Parker231]

One of the reasons we used formula was so different people could give a bottle. The majority were given by DH and I but grandparents all live a flight away and when they visited they gave the bottles. One of my favourite photos is of DFil giving DS a bottle. The look in DFil eyes was total love for hus new born grandson. The photo is in my study and I love looking at each day.

[user19990]

giving breast milk in a bottle is not considered breastfeeding is it?

[TradedAtlanta]

Hope I didn’t accidentally give any offence. I had lots of tongue tie and latching issues and couldn’t get more than a dribble out with a pump so the whole thing is massively emotive! Every way of feeding is of course a completely valid choice!

[notapizzaeater]

They were a 'new thing' once we had our DS if I could have found one I'd have snatched her hand off ! (He didn't sleep through till he was 7!)

[BertieBotts]

The night feeds with a newborn are some of the best bits! Don't understand this at all. Can understand a nanny to give you a break later on, or a mother's help to do things like laundry and cooking and cleaning for the newborn period, but when they're brand new I just want them all to myself/DH.

[Lockdownseperation]

@user19990

giving breast milk in a bottle is not considered breastfeeding is it?

Yes it’s still breast feeding and can be much harder work than feeding direct from the boob. Hats off those who solo express. Expressing unfortunately means the Mum’s nipple don’t get wash back from baby’s salvia so the breast milk is not adjusted to the changing needs of the baby eg more antibodies needed but obviously it still has everything the baby would need except vitamin D which all breast fed babies should be given.