A baby nurse is someone with extensive practical experience with newborns. A baby nurse can be a wonderful support for first-time parents or parents juggling older kids who need some help when the newborn arrives home. The interview is very important when choosing a newborn care specialist or baby nurse. This list provides suggested questions to ask a baby nurse during a phone or in-person interview.
Background
How long have you been a baby nurse?Are you a certified RN?Are you a certified infant care specialist?Have you recently been CPR certified? When?What were the lengths of time for most of your assignments?How many baby nurse positions have you had?Do you have experience working with multiple children, twins, triplets?
Taking Care of the Baby
What type of things do you do to entertain or soothe the baby? Do you read and sing to the baby?Do you hold the baby for long periods of time?Do you believe in letting the baby cry?If so, for how long?Do you have an opinion about putting the baby in a bassinet versus a crib?Do you have an opinion about the baby sleeping in their own room?
Cost & Timing
What do you charge?How do you like to be paid?When do you like to be paid (daily, end of the week, etc)When are you available?Do you have a job right before I’m due, or shortly after your time with us would end? If yes, what if I deliver early or late?
Feeding
Can you help me with breastfeeding? Do you have any experience with pumping and supplemental feedings? What are your thoughts on supplementing with formula during breastfeeding?
Sleep
Can you help get my baby on a sleep schedule? What is your method for getting a baby on a sleep schedule? Have you worked on cases where the bassinet has been in the room with the parents? What was your approach to feeding and sleeping when the baby was in the parent’s room? How old do you think the baby should be before you start a sleep schedule?
Special Needs
Do you have any experience with preemie babies?Do you have any experience with monitors?Do you have any experience with colic?Do you have any experience with sleep apnea?Do you have any experience with reflux?Do you have any experience with ear infections?Do you have any experience with allergies?
Medical Concerns
Will you go to the baby’s doctor appointments with me?Are you experienced with caring for a circumcised penis?How do you care for the baby’s bellybutton?
Other Questions
Why do you like working with babies?Do you have experience with baby proofing?Will you help set up and organize the nursery?Do you have experience with first-time parents?If so, how did you help adjust the baby to its parents?What do you find most challenging or difficult about working with first-time parents?How comfortable are you giving us detailed reports about the baby and its day?Did you normally keep a journal for the baby?If not, will you keep a detailed journal if requested?Will you help with my older children if I am tending to the baby?Will you help with the baby’s laundry, etc.?How often do you take a day off?On your day off, would you arrange for a replacement for yourself?Is there any special food you’d like me to keep in the house for you?Can I please have three parent references to call?
