This is the part where you'd expect to see me barrage you with a bunch of self-aggrandizing traits and adjectives. But I think it's important to note that "there is a newborn nanny for everyone" and whether you choose me should be based on a good fit. Do we have the same goals and general principles of how to help your baby acclimate to our world? Let's take a look, and then chat further by phone or in person if you think we are a match.
My Guiding Philosophy is that we are a team. But you are the captain. I love using and teaching families my tricks to help babies slowly adjust to life outside the womb in a gentle manner that allows for a good balance between healthy attachment/bonding while encouraging baby's self-soothing abilities and healthy sleep habits. Depending on your parenting style and goals for our time together, we will work together to create the best plan of care and routines for your family. Our plan is likely to fluctuate as we get to know what your baby and your family needs from me. It's important to me that you feel comfortable talking to me about anything. You will not hurt my feelings! If something isn't working, let's figure it out together. That said, some things are very important for me to follow, for liability reasons. Specifically, AAP guidelines for safe sleep.
Sleep Conditioning/Training- while I don't think it's responsible to GUARANTEE a baby will be sleeping "12 hours by 12 weeks", we can certainly work towards that goal if that is something you are looking for. This topic can get tricky, as well meaning friends and family will all have their opinions about sleep "training" and whether it's sent from angels above or the devil himself. The difference between sleep conditioning and sleep training is that sleep training happens after 4 months and is used to correct ineffective/problematic sleep behaviors that have developed in the first 12 weeks and beyond. This is what some people are thinking of when they have negative associations to the term. The various "cry it out" methods that have been parodied on numerous sitcoms. However, Sleep conditioning is used from day 1 and involves specific things we can do together to form healthy sleep habits and self-soothing techniques in your newborn. If consistent sleep conditioning happens, there should not be a need for sleep training.
Sleep conditioning is definitely not about leaving newborns to cry it out for long periods of time. And it's definitely not about starving hungry babies. This is about teaching babies healthy sleep habits so they learn to naturally sleep longer stretches. I have taken both "Sleep Conditioning for the Newborn Professional" and "Advance Sleep Workshop" through Newborn Training Academy and would love to chat more about your goals concerning sleep.
Breast/Bottle feeding- You are an amazing mom! If you bottle feed, if you breast feed, or if you do both. I will honor and support your choice no matter what you decide is best for you and your family. If your goal is exclusive breastfeeding, I will help facilitate feeding during the night in a manner that allows you both to get as much restorative sleep as possible; as well as gentle nighttime weaning when/if appropriate and desired. I have experience as a mom of two who nursed to 1 year as well as in the capacity of a nurse who helped new moms with breastfeeding. (Important to note that I will not be functioning as an RN while employed as a Newborn Care Specialist) I am also not a lactation consultant but I know when and who to refer you to when one is needed.
Swaddling/Pacifiers/Swings/Cribs/etc - I base my care on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for safe sleep. It is imperative that baby sleeps in a crib (or approved bassinet) with a fitted sheet, swaddled, on their back with nothing else in the crib for all sleep. For liability reasons, this is a "non-negotiable" for me. Swings, strollers, carseats, rock-n-plays, dock-a-tots can be useful devices for calming a fussy baby or for awake time, but should never be used for sleep. Swaddling and white noise are both imperative for healthy, restorative sleep in newborns (we stop swaddling once baby can roll over). I swaddle using methods recommended by occupational and physical therapists to keep healthy range of motion in hips and reduce risk of developmental hip dysplasia. Babies who aren't swaddled with white noise rarely get enough quality, brain-restorative sleep, which means neither do you! Pacifiers, once milk supply is established in mom if breastfeeding, can be helpful for fussy babies and are approved for sleeping by the AAP. I'm "pro paci" with parent permission.
