Job Description

Maternity Nurses are trained or experienced nurses or nannies who specialise in the care of newborn babies. A Maternity Nurse will help the mother from the time she leaves hospital until both mother and baby are settled into a routine at home. This is normally a period of between 4-8 weeks; however the amount of time you wish to book a Maternity Nurse is totally flexible and will depend on individual circumstances.

A Maternity Nurse is responsible for:

• Providing support and guidance to the new mother / teaching the new mother how to care for her baby.
• Giving advice on all aspects of baby care including breast or bottle-feeding, routine setting general baby care and hygiene.
• Care of the baby's clothes etc. including the baby's laundry as well as nursery cleanliness, sterilising and making up bottles
• Night Feeds (the majority of Maternity Nurses sleep in the baby's room)

A Maternity Nurse will be on call 24 hours a day for 5 or 6 days a week, however this can be flexible depending on individual needs and the Maternity Nurse you employ. It is possible to have a Maternity Nurse for days only or nights only. Please remember that although Maternity Nurses are 'on call' 24-hours a day they do need some sleep! We recommend that you allow your Maternity Nurse at least a couple of hours a day to catch up on sleep or to have some 'time out'.

Extra Duties: For example preparing meals, walking the dog, popping to the shops or caring for siblings. All Maternity Nurses differ in the extra duties they are willing to perform, most are willing to 'muck-in' but it is essential that you discuss this with the individual Maternity Nurse at interview stage and before confirming a booking. Most Maternity Nurses will not be responsible for any household cleaning or general laundry and ironing other than the baby's nor will they be responsible for the care of other children in the household without prior agreement.

Maternity Nurses are self-employed and are responsible for their own Tax and National Insurance Contributions. They will set their own rates of pay depending on age and experience. Below are some salary guidelines:

In addition to the above, a new service is offered by our 'Maternity Consultant' who can come to your home for a specific session of breast feeding counselling / 'trouble-shooting'/ routine setting etc. More details on request.