Nanny Responsibilities for Newborn

Taking care of a baby is a full-time job, which is why they say it takes a village. Seeking the support of a nanny is very common for parents to be able to balance other responsibilities, like taking care of their other children or working their other full-time job! A key role of a nanny is for parents to have support in keeping their baby safe and well attended to.

The responsibilities of a nanny can vary depending on the baby’s age, defined expectations from the parents, and more. In this blog, we’ll review some common nanny responsibilities and how Tushbaby products can make caring for a baby simpler for any caregiver, not just parents.

Nanny Duties for Newborn

What does a nanny do for a newborn?

Different developmental stages of a baby’s life will require varying levels of interaction when it comes to caregiving. When it comes to nannying a newborn (in their first few months of life), there may be less engagement and playtime involved. This is not to say there won’t be much to do! Here are some common nanny duties for a newborn:

Diaper changes: Newborns will need diaper changes much more frequently than in later stages of infancy. Did you know a newborn can use up to 10 diapers a day? Nannies for newborns will need to stay prepared to change a diaper, whether at the home or out and about. Tucking Tushbaby’s Portable Changing Pad into an outing bag (like the Totebaby or The Pack) can help a nanny stay ready for the next diaper change.
Feeding: A nanny for a newborn can be responsible for feedings while the parents are away. It will be important to understand the baby’s feeding schedule and if the baby is used to taking a bottle if they’re normally breastfed.
Other duties: Nannies to newborns can be responsible for much more than feeding and diaper changes. They may also help the parents with bathing, household duties, grocery shopping, and even taking the baby to their doctor’s appointments. Establishing responsibilities ahead of time is important to ensure key duties are met. A contract and clear communication about expectations should always be outlined first.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a nanny?

The duties and responsibilities of a nanny can vary and may go further than taking care of a baby at home. As we mentioned, identifying responsibilities ahead of time will be important to ensure that both the nanny and the parents know what the expectations are while the baby is in the nanny’s care. Here are some duties and responsibilities a nanny may have:

Prepping bottles or preparing meals: In the newborn stages, it’ll be important to know a baby’s feeding schedule and how to warm a bottle properly. As a baby gets older and is introduced to solid foods, a nanny may be the one to prepare multiple meals throughout the day. A nanny must have a clear understanding of food allergies and family preferences when it comes to mealtimes.
Bathing: Whether a spill has happened or it’s bath time for the day, nannies will usually need to bathe a baby. A nanny must know what water temperature is safe, what products they should use, and how to bathe a child safely.
Sleep time routines: For naps and bedtime, a nanny’s duty will be to calm and soothe a baby in preparation for a sound sleep. Bringing a pacifier along on outings can aid in nap time soothing while away from home. Nannies can use Tushbaby’s Paci Pod to keep a pacifier clean and handy for soothing times and clip it right onto Tushbaby’s elastic loop for easy access.
Diaper changes: Diaper changes will be a big part of nannying responsibilities when caring for a baby. Keeping a portable diaper changing pad on hand in a Tushbaby Carrier or Totebaby will help the nanny ensure they are ready no matter where they are. Tushbaby’s changing pad wipes down for an easy clean and folds up slim enough to fit in your back pocket—because hey, sh*t happens.
Cleaning up messes: Taking care of a baby can come with a lot of mess, whether it’s toys from play time, food messes, or spills. A nanny is typically responsible for ensuring any messes made throughout the day aren’t left for parents to address as they arrive home.
Planning activities: A nanny can spend a lot of time with a baby who will need to be engaged and stimulated to promote healthy development. Planning activities may look different at various stages, so a nanny will need to be prepared to find age-appropriate activities.
Other household chores: Depending on the responsibilities agreed upon, a nanny may take care of many chores around the house, like dishes, tidying up, laundry, and more. Doing these while providing care for a baby can be challenging. Keep reading as we review how the Tushbaby Carrier can aid in ensuring these responsibilities are tackled successfully while caring for a child.

How do nannies manage their babies?

Nannies, much like parents, are responsible for balancing many things throughout the day. Because of this, nannies can find it helpful to create a set routine and structure for their day. Planning out the day ahead of time can help keep the daily responsibilities and tasks outlined to ensure completion.

An agreement is sometimes established for the nanny to bring their child to care for another child. This depends on what the family has identified as appropriate, and a formal agreement should be outlined first.

Do newborn nannies have special skills?

Taking care of a newborn can look a bit different than caregiving in the later stages of infancy. Although newborns are much more fragile than older children, being a nanny for a newborn doesn't have to take superpowers. Nanny responsibilities for a newborn may just take a liiittle more caution and patience. Some nannies may have more experience working with newborns, which can be a bonus! When a baby is no longer a newborn, a nanny’s day-to-day may fill up with much more engagement, playtime, and supervision—especially as the baby begins crawling and walking!

How does a nanny take care of household tasks while caring for a newborn?

Outside of nurturing and caring for a baby, nannies can be responsible for various household chores. Balancing these chores with a newborn can be quite the challenge, but we have some tips:

Work while the baby sleeps: Babies, and especially newborns, can sleep often. Tackling the chores while the baby is sleeping is probably the most efficient way to knock out those tasks.
Place the baby in a swing: To keep a baby safe and out of your hands while cleaning, nannies can use a swing or rocker. Baby swings and rockers are designed to provide a soothing motion to help keep a baby calm and distracted.
Using a carrier: Using a carrier can help nannies take care of household tasks while keeping the baby close. Different carriers work best for different age ranges, so be sure to research which is safe for a newborn. The Tushbaby Hip Seat Carrier is perfect for babies for feeding and offers three additional carry positions once they can hold their heads up. Read more about babywearing safety here to ensure that household chores are done while babywearing safely.