Maternity Nurse

A Maternity Nurse can help provide a smooth introduction to new parents and their new baby into family life. A Maternity Nurse has a wealth of experience to offer first time parents and can be a great source of help and advice, not only about the development and well being of the baby, but also that of the new mother. Maternity nurses, encourage parent's involvement and confidence in handling their new baby and promote a positive relationship between other siblings and the new addition.

A maternity nurse should understand the impact of a baby's arrival on new parents, and offer advice on the mother's diet and rest. The nurse will also help in establishing and maintaining breast-feeding, or offer advice about bottle-feeding.

• GENERAL MATERNITY NURSE DUTIES - As well as advising on, and helping new parents with feeding their baby, a maternity nurse is responsible for all the physical needs of the baby. This will include bathing, changing and settling the baby, as well as taking care of baby's laundry and nursery. The nurse should wash and iron all the baby’s laundry, change the crib and pram covers, and keep all the babies equipment and the nursery and bathroom clean and tidy at all times.
• DUTIES WITH BOTTLE FED BABIES - The Nurse is responsible for preparation of all milk feeds, and ensuring all bottles and feeding equipment is clean and sterilized during the day and night. The maternity nurse is responsible for feeding the baby, day and night and establishes a good feeding and sleeping routine by arrangement with the parents.
• DUTIES WITH BREAST FED BABIES - The maternity nurse should observe the mother when she is feeding day and night, and offer advice where necessary on helping the mother maintain breast-feeding, and establishing a feeding and sleeping routine with their newborn. The maternity nurse should take the baby after feeds and resettle day and night.
• REST - A Maternity Nurse is expected to be on duty for 24 hours and can get very tired from broken sleep, especially after a night with a fretful or unsettled baby. It is important that the nurse has time to rest and take breaks so that she can remain pleasant and effective at all times. The maternity nurse should be given a chance for a 2-3hour break in any day, this should be by arrangement with the family, and she can leave the house in this time.
• ACCOMODATION - The nurse may share the baby's room or have her own room, and this should be kept clean and tidy at all times. There may be a bathroom for the nurse's own use or the nurse may share a bathroom with the baby or other siblings. All meals will be provided for a Maternity Nurse when in a booking. The Nurse should cook her own meals and clean up after herself at all times. It is not the duty of the maternity nurse to cook for the family, however if mum is breastfeeding or recuperating from a C-Section the maternity nurse should be sensitive and bring mum snacks/lunch and make sure she is maintaining her fluids.
• TIME OFF - Maternity Nurses are booked for a 6-day week and are on call 24 hours. The nurse should have 24 hours off every 7th day and can either stay at the position with no duties at all during this time or leave for this period.
• SALARY - Maternity Nurses are all self-employed and are therefore responsible for their own income tax and National Insurance contributions in Britain.

Maternity Nurses salaries are as follows:

For trainees or nurses with only few placements behind, the salary is usually negotiable, anything between £450 – £650 gross per week. Once they are more experienced, the usual salary for typical 24/6 live in is approx £700-£900 gross per week although some nurses charge even up to £1200 for 24/6 (single baby). This depends on the level of their qualification and experience.

• £130 per 24 hr gross - £150 per 24 hour gross for a maternity nurse caring for a single baby.
• £180 per 24 hr gross - £200 per 24 hour gross for a maternity nurse caring for twins. (this can be negotiable if you are happy to give someone the chance to gain experience with twins).
• £200 per 24 hr gross - £250 per 24 hour gross for a maternity nurse caring for triplets. (this can be negotiable if you are happy to give someone the chance to gain experience with triplets).

Daily and Nightly Maternity Nurses work on a different structure due to the fact that they have travel expenses and food and accommodation costs to pay.

• £12-£15 per hour gross for single babies.
• £13-£16 per hour gross for twins.
• £16+ per hour gross for triplets.

A nurse usually asks for 50% of her gross weekly salary from the day she is booked until she begins work. The nurse should be on call at this time and begin her booking upon request.

• COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS - A maternity Nurse should at all times discuss every aspect of the babies care and development with parents. If the nurse has any concerns about the baby or the baby becomes ill at any time the nurse should inform parents and a doctor/ paediatrician. The nurse should know at all times where to contact parents if they are away and should ensure she has the necessary contact details at hand at all times. The maternity nurse should keep a record of all feeds and we encourage the family to continue with this on her day off.
• INTERVIEWING - Due to the nature of their work it can at time be difficult for a nurse to attend interviews. In this instance we would suggest a telephone interview, followed by a meeting at a time convenient to both parties. If the nurse is required to travel to an interview from another town or city they may ask to have their interview expenses reimbursed. This will be discussed and agreed upon prior to the interview-taking place.
• BOOKING A NURSE - If a maternity nurse is booked Wow Bespoke Nannies will request a confirmation from the employer confirming the booking, start date, length of booking and weekly salary for the nurse. A written confirmation can be sent by post, or electronically by email and must be sent to Wow Bespoke Nannies to secure the booking.
• NIGHT ONLY MATERNITY NURSE - Night maternity nurses may live in but usually live out and will work for up to six nights per week. They specialise in getting particularly wakeful babies to sleep through the night, and are great for confident parents who are looking for extra sleep. They can work between 10 – 12 hours a night and can come to you between 1 – 6 nights a week.
• DAILY MATERNITY NURSE - Daily maternity nurses generally live out and usually work between 10 and 12 hours per day up to six days per week. Daily maternity nurses are ideal for families who have limited space or who prefer not to have someone living in, but still feel they need the benefit of the experience a maternity nurse can offer.