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The role of the Registered Nurse or Newborn Care Provider is to feed, soothe, bathe, change & provide all other gentle care to baby through the night.

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Should I Host an Au Pair?

Should I Host an Au Pair? answers parents’ frequently asked questions about au pairs so you can see if this international childcare option is right for you and your family.

Should I Host an Au Pair? Pregnant parents ask
Parent FAQs about au pairs

Should I Host an Au Pair?

How does a family actually host an au pair?

The first thing to do is register with an agency or even several agencies. Jaclyn Perovich a current host mom and Cultural Care Au Pair consultant notes that it’s perfectly fine if you need a placement quickly or down the road. Either way, registering with an agency is the first step so you can begin the matching process when you’re ready.

Once you’re registered, you can start looking at au pair resumes and email them for interviews. A Placement Manager will help you go through the au pair applications and narrow down your family’s specific needs. You might have twins, be expecting a newborn when your older child is a toddler for example. The selection deadlines needed to secure a particular au pair with you will then be shared. The deadline is important because the au pairs travel will be determined by your start date.

In addition to the agency Placement Manager there may also be a Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) to help. This is the person in your geographical area who will be your local support throughout the year. The LCC also conducts in-home interviews with families and provides orientation for both the family and au pair upon arrival.

Should I Host an Au Pair? FAQ’s

What happens if the au pair arrangement isn’t working out? 

If things aren’t working out with the host family and au pair, the local consultant will conduct a mediation. A “rematch” will occur if the relationship does not improve. The happens usually within 2 weeks.

Parents can set clear expectations and even over-communicate their needs to make set the relationship up for success. Following up with an email of the expectations and then having a hard copy of instructions in the home are also good ways to keep everyone on the same page.

When can the au pair work?

An au pair will work up to 45 hours of childcare per week, scheduled around your families needs.

Can an au pair work with newborns?

Au pairs can NOT be the sole caregiver for newborns. For infants 12 weeks and under their role is more of a “mother’s helper.”

How can families be sure their au pair is trained properly?

Reputable agencies provide safety and child care training.  Cultural Care Au Pairs for example, conducts four day reviews of child safety and development at the company’s training school in New York. They also require a classroom course on driver’s safety taught by the Red Cross and the Red Cross Full Service Training in adult and pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid. 

Should I Host an Au Pair? What are Alternatives to Au Pair Care?

Nannies are the main alternative to au pair care. The main differences between nanny care an au pairs is:

  1. Cultural Exchange vs. Formal Employment:
    • Au Pair: An au pair is typically a young person from a foreign country who lives with a host family for a certain period of time. While the au pair is expected to help with childcare and household duties, the main purpose is cultural exchange.
    • Nanny: A nanny is a professional childcare provider who is employed by a family to care for their children. Responsibilities can include newborn and infant care, meal preparation, transportation, and light housekeeping.
  2. Duration of Stay:
    • Au Pair: Au pairs usually commit to staying with a host family for a fixed period, usually 6-12 months, before returning to their home country.
    • Nanny: Nannies may work with a family for a more flexible period, and their employment may continue as long as both parties agree.
  3. Age and Experience:
    • Au Pair: Au pairs are typically young adults, who may not have extensive childcare experience. They can not care for newborns without a parent present.
    • Nanny: Nannies can be any age but often have professional childcare experience as well as formal training in early childhood education or newborn care.
  4. Compensation:
    • Au Pair: Au pairs receive a stipend, room, and board from the host family. The stipend is typically a modest amount, as the primary focus is on cultural exchange.
    • Nanny: Nannies are paid a salary or hourly wage for their services, and the terms of employment are more formal.

In addition to daytime nannies, parents of newborns might choose to have a postpartum doula, night nanny or night nurse. These providers usually work overnight hours while the parents rest and recover.

Your First Night Home: Newborn Diapering and Bathing

updated, Oct 1, 2025 – Your First Night Home: Newborn Diapering and Bathing includes our night nanny and doula team’s answers to FAQ’s about clothing, bathing and circumcision care when transitioning your newborn from hospital to home.

To read the whole guide, please visit Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A

Your First Night Home: Newborn Diapering and Bathing

Bathing FAQ’s

Should I bathe my baby every day?

Babies don’t need to be fully bathed everyday. Their skin is sensitive and can dry out a lot faster than adults. It’s best to give baby a sponge bath their first week or two. Making sure to get in their rolls and in between their fingers and toes. You would be surprised how much lint collects in fingers and toes! Once your newborn’s umbilical stump has fallen out and heals up, it’s okay to give baby a full bath.  Babies do not need to be bathed more than 3 times a week.

What temperature should my baby’s bath water be? 

Newborns and infants should be bathed in warm water, not too hot.  Test the water with your wrist, not your hand. Also, babies bodies lose heat quicker than adults.  Keep the bath time brief to avoid chills.

What kind of soap should I use on my baby?

Warm water is just fine for bathing newborns.  If you do use soaps, lotions or oils be sure they are non-toxic and infant safe so baby’s skin does not dry out or become irritated.  Avoid a scented soap or bubble bath.

What time of day should I bathe my Newborn?

There is no wrong answer to what time of day is best to bathe your baby but giving a bath as part of the bedtime routine can be a soothing way to wind down for sleep. There’s a reason why we often hear that babies enjoy “bath, bottle, books and then bed.”

Diapering FAQ’s

How often do I change my baby’s diaper?

It is best to change baby’s diaper every time you feed your newborn. Try to change your baby before feeding them. If you change their diaper immediately after feeding, they might spit up because laying horizontal can cause distress.

How do I care for my newborn son’s circumcision? 

If your male baby was circumcised, you were probably instructed to use petroleum jelly and gauze at each diaper change. When bathing, stick to sponge baths only and use unscented soap and warm water.  If you notice any continuous bleeding, trouble urinating, fever, or swelling, call your pediatrician immediately. The circumcision should heal in about seven to ten days.

Can I use baby wipes on a newborn?

Many doctors and newborn care professionals suggest using warm water and a clean washcloth to wipe at each diaper change.  Others say it is fine to use disposable wipes on newborns, as long as they are the unscented type.  The important thing is to be sure that baby is completely dry before putting on diaper creams or vaseline.  It is also fine to let your baby go diaper-free for 10-20 minutes (or longer if you’re okay with it) to allow the diaper area to stay dry.  

Should I Cloth Diaper?
Cloth diapers are less expensive than disposables and have less environmental impact but many families feel that disposable diapers win on convenience. Read our Expert Guide to Cloth Diapers to learn if cloth diapering is right for your baby.

How do I prevent diaper rash?

  • Frequent Diaper Changes: When possible, change diapers as soon as they become wet or soiled. Aim to change a newborn’s diaper every 2-3 hours. Don’t allow baby to sit in the wet diaper whenever possible.
  • Avoid Harsh Soaps or Wipes with Alcohol
  • Keep the diaper area dry: allow the skin to dry before applying cream. Also give baby time without the diaper on when they’re dry
  • Use diaper cream: After the skin is fully dry, use a diaper cream containing zinc oxide. Petroleum jelly can be used too, the important part is that the cream or jelly creates a barrier to protect the skin.
  • Try to avoid friction: keep the diaper a little loose

How Do I Know if My Baby is Eating Enough?

Your newborn will usually nurse/feed 8 to 12 times per day. It can be hard to know exactly how much is being taken in during each feeding session. But that’s okay because you’ll always be able to tell how much is coming out! You’ll see plenty of wet and soiled diapers once you arrive home with your newborn on day 3 or 4 of baby’s life.

Every baby is different of course but this wet and soiled diaper chart can help assure parents that baby is feeding well. You’ll also be visiting the pediatrician during this first week home and baby’s weight will be checked. As our postpartum doula Shiro says, weight gain is the other sure sign that your newborn is eating enough!

If you want to be sure baby is eating enough, read How big is a newborn’s stomach?

Your First Night Home Newborn Diapering and Bathing

Repaying Sleep Debt as a New Parent

updated, Aug 1, 2023 – Sleep debt is defined as the difference between the amount of sleep you should be getting and the amount you actually get. Parents of newborns realize that sleep deprivation is something that comes with the territory but every time you miss out on sleep, you add to the debt. Over time this debt builds up and can lead to both mental and physical health issues.  This blog, Repaying Sleep Debt as a New Parent tells how you can get back your health and wellness.

Repaying Sleep Debt as a New Parent

Sleep Debt- The Facts

It’s important to note that short term loss of sleep is sometimes part of life. We all go through times where we don’t get a solid night’s sleep, such as during the newborn phase and it’s important to catch up on sleep when we can. However, long term sleep deprivation isn’t something humans easily bounce back from. Cognitive and metabolic function deteriorates and sometimes these functions don’t come back to our baseline level.

Repaying Sleep Debt as a New Parent

Research shows that a combination of naps and overnight recovery sleep can be effective in counteracting some negative effects of sleep deprivation. However, one or two nights of substantial sleep aren’t enough to fully pay off a long-term sleep debt. What does this mean for parents of single babies and twins?

A 2010 study conducted by acclaimed British sleep scientist Iftikhar Mirza found that during a child’s first 2 years of life, new parents miss out on an astonishing total of 6 months worth of sleep! Sleep deprivation can lead to poor eating habits, mood swings, arguments, adversely affect your performance at work and can make getting behind the wheel very dangerous. 

How to Minimize Your Sleep Debt

While there are no perfect foolproof solutions, here are some practical ways for new parents to minimize their sleep debt:

  1. Switch nighttime duties with a partner or caregiver. If possible, alternate nights or times of night between one partner sleeping and the other is “on call.” If nursing, mom can breastfeed and partner can do the diaper changes and soothing. Other options are for Mom to pump during the day and having partner give baby a bottle or supplement with formula overnight. Work with your lactation consultant or pediatrician to figure out what is best for you.
  2. Get regular exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, increases healthy energy levels and lowers the risk of mood swings. Even if you are too tired, gentle exercise during the day, such as walking or yoga, can increase sleep.
  3. Do not consume too much food or alcohol before bedtime. Eating or drinking too much in the evening can over stimulate the digestive system and interfere with natural sleep rhythms, particularly reducing reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
  4. Ask for help! It is important to rely on family members, friends, babysitters, night nurses, etc. for help. There is nothing wrong with having another person tend to the baby or household tasks while you catch up on much needed rest if it will make you a better, more attentive parent.
newborn sleeping in crib, postpartum mom in bed

Being a new parent is tiring, especially for those in the postpartum phase recovering from childbirth. IT IS OKAY to have dirty dishes and unfolded laundry. New parents, especially breastfeeding mothers, need their energy and while you may feel like you are missing out on “getting things done,” you will actually be catching up on something very important…repaying your sleep debt.

How to Offer a Bottle to A Breastfed Baby

“I will be returning back to work soon, and my breastfed baby refuses to take a bottle of breastmilk or formula.  Help!” Amy Black, IBCLC, answers this common question with practical strategies for introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby.

How to Offer a Bottle to A Breastfed Baby
photo by Rainier Ridao on Unsplash

How to Offer a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby

Many parents worry when their breastfed baby refuses a bottle, especially before returning to work or leaving the baby with another caregiver. With the right timing, technique and patience, your baby can make the transition.

Here are a few basics:

  1. Babies are smart and know where milk comes from. If mom is nearby, your baby may refuse the bottle. Sometimes it helps if another caregiver tries while mom leaves the room—or even the house.
  2. Experts recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established, usually after 4 weeks, before introducing a bottle. This protects your milk supply and prevents nipple confusion.
  3. La Leche League suggests pumping once a day after a feeding when your breasts still feel slightly full. Remember, you’re pumping “leftovers” so don’t expect a large amount.

Why Won’t My Breastfed Baby Take a Bottle?

Refusal is often less about the bottle itself and more about comfort and habit. Babies are used to breastfeeding, the warmth of mom’s body, and the familiar nursing position. A bottle can feel foreign at first. Refusal may also happen if the baby is too hungry, overtired, or if the flow of the nipple feels unnatural.

How Do I Get My Baby to Take a Bottle When I Go Back to Work?

Try these strategies to ease the transition:

  • Offer the bottle when baby is calm, not starving or fussy. A slightly sleepy baby is often more willing to try.
  • Have someone other than mom do the feeding, ideally in a different room than the usual nursing spot.
  • Encourage baby to open wide by gently touching their lips with the nipple. Let them draw it in instead of pushing it in.
  • Hold baby upright and keep the bottle horizontal, which mimics breastfeeding and slows the flow.
  • Stop when baby shows signs of being done—pushing out the nipple, turning their head, or falling asleep. Don’t force the last drops.
  • Warm both the milk and the nipple so the experience feels familiar.

What Is Paced Bottle Feeding and Why Is It Best for Breastfed Babies?

If your breastfed baby struggles with the bottle, paced bottle feeding is the most recommended method. This technique mimics breastfeeding by slowing the flow of milk and letting the baby control the pace.

Here’s how it works:

  • Baby is held upright during the feed, similar to nursing.
  • The bottle is kept at a horizontal angle so milk only fills the nipple halfway.
  • The slower flow allows for natural breaks, prevents overeating, and reduces gas or reflux.

By avoiding overfeeding, paced feeding helps mom maintain her milk supply while pumping at work. It’s also less overwhelming for the baby and more like breastfeeding.

What If My Baby Still Refuses the Bottle

Every baby is different. Some adjust quickly, while others need repeated practice. If your baby resists, try different bottle nipples with slower or faster flows, experiment with temperatures, or let the baby play with the bottle outside of feeding times to get familiar with it.

Consistency is key. Keep practicing once a day, and stay patient. Over time, most babies learn to take the bottle when needed.

Quick Takeaways for Parents

  • Introduce a bottle only after breastfeeding is established (about 4 weeks).
  • Offer the bottle when baby is calm and not too hungry.
  • Let someone other than mom feed, ideally in a new location.
  • Use paced bottle feeding to mimic breastfeeding and protect milk supply.
  • Be patient—bottle feeding is a learned skill for babies.

Need to know what bottles work best for you and your baby? Check out the Essential Guide to Baby Bottles.

Guide to Hiring the Perfect Babysitter


Updated July 26, 2021 If you’ve never hired a babysitter or nanny, it can be hard to know what makes a great candidate, especially if you have a newborn or infant. Here’s our guide to hiring the perfect babysitter!

Guide to Hiring the Perfect Babysitter – Basic Questions to Ask Potential Sitters:

  • Have you had experience babysitting an infant before?
  • How old are the children you have worked with before?
  • If you’re breastfeeding, ask your sitter if they have experience in preparing breastmilk. If you feed by formula, make sure they know how to prepare/heat the formula.
  • Are you familiar with how to put an infant to bed?
  • Do you know First Aid? Are you CPR certified?
  • What types of activities do you do with children?
  • How do you help a fussy baby?
  • Do you have your COVID and flu vaccines or other immunizations recommended by my pediatrician?

Trust Your Gut

When you meet someone for the first time, get a read on them. Do they seem interested in your child? Do they answer your questions with enthusiasm and confidence? Are they distracted by their phone? Parental instinct is very strong and your own instincts are almost always correct.

Check References

We’re SHOCKED at the number of times people don’t check references! Ask for at least two references of non-family members that you can contact by phone; a references’ tone of voice can be as telling as the actual answers. Don’t feel uncomfortable asking questions; you are your child’s advocate and protector.

Are Credentials Important to You?

Many sitters take the Red Cross Babysitter Certification. Is this a requirement for you? How about CPR or First Aide Certification? If these are qualifications you’d like your sitter to have, ask those questions in the interview.

Guide to Hiring the Perfect Babysitter – Now What?

Guide to Hiring the Perfect Babysitter
  • Once you hire the sitter, make sure that you have all of your emergency info in an easily accessible place. You can copy our Emergency Info Sheet here if you need to!
  • If you have a landline, show the sitter where it is.
  • If you don’t use a landline, make sure you have a both iPhone and Android chargers in the house. The babysitter’s phone should be charged at all times.
  • It’s perfectly fine to use a nanny cam while you’re out and it’s your legal right to have a camera anywhere except the bathroom or other places where there is an expectation of privacy (like the bathroom).  Please be considerate to your babysitter and let them know you’re recording. You never know- if baby has an accident or spits up, your sitter might need to do a quick clothing change! 

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