Our guest post today comes from The Newborn Care Training Academy.    There are many questions out there about NCS – what makes an NCS?  How can I become an NCS?   NCTA answers those questions and many more for us.

At The Newborn Care Training Academy, we strive to provide the best, and latest in Newborn Care for those looking to become a Newborn Care Specialist. While many have already made the transition into newborn care, there are still a lot of questions out there. Here’s the down low on Newborn Care Specialists.

Who is considered a NCS?

A Newborn Care Specialist is an individual trained and skilled in newborn care. Newborn Care Specialists are more than just nannies, they know the ins and outs of newborn development and have specialized newborn training. They provide unique expertise in all aspects of newborn care, parental education, and support. It is important to note that a Baby Nurse is someone who has earned a RN, or LPN. A NCS should not call herself an Baby Nurse unless she is a RN or LPN. 

What does a NCS provide?

A NCS can provide overnight care, temporary care, 24 hour care, travelling assistance, and newborn care education to new Moms & Dads. Some Newborn Care Specialists will provide sleep training under the direct consent of Mom and Dad. While goals change from client to client, most would agree that one of our main goals is to leave parents feeling confident and empowered at the end of our time with their family. 

When would you need a NCS?

Often times a NCS will start the night baby comes home from the hospital. Most NCS provide overnight care, though there are many temporary day time positions available while Mom transitions to a permanent car

egiver. Many NCS will work with a client until they reach infancy, or 16 weeks, then move on to a next client. 

Where does a NCS work?

Sometimes NCS are lucky enough to travel with the family while they care for the newborn, but for the most part NCS provide care in the client’s home. 

Why hire a NCS?

Newborns are hard work!! This can make being a new mommy or daddy really tough and sometimes overwhelming. Moms and Dads need help, sleep, and sometimes newborn care education. We are there to help and assist them through a huge transition period in their life. 

How do you become a NCS?

Many women have been making the transition into Newborn Care over the last few years, and that brings me to my last point. How does one become a NCS? Unfortunately, there is no accredited school that offers a certification program, and becoming a NCS isn’t as simple as taking a newborn care class. Becoming a NCS takes experience and time. The first step is to attend a Newborn Care course, or attend the INA Conference NCS track. If you would like to become certified, you can go through the Newborn Care Specialist Association, who have set forth guidelines and requirements to become certified.