Maternity nurses duties
Maternity nursing is a well-respected and valued profession in the world of motherhood. Maternity nurses can offer new mothers a whole range of support, from establishing a routine to helping new mothers to breastfeed, to offering support to mothers who are suffering with post-natal depression. With this in mind, maternity nurses can be an extremely valuable asset in the first few days, weeks and sometimes months after your precious little one is born.
A planned maternity nurse is employed before the babies birth, usually a few days before the due date so they can get accustomed to the family’s house, routines and of course, most importantly the family’s wishes. It also allows the maternity nurse to become settled and fully prepared for when the new arrival appears. A maternity nurse usually works with newborn babies for around 3 or 4 months but no more thank 6 months.
Be available
The working schedule of a maternity nurse can be anything from 24/7 to a few hours support throughout the day, depending on the family requirements. If the situation allows, a maternity nurse working 24/7, should be given rests, as they will be working with your baby (and you) throughout the night offering the pre-agreed support. They should have a separate area for downtime, which could be quiet area where they can spend a few hours. This will help them to stay focused, alert and fulfill their duties effectively.
Help to implement a routine
A maternity nurse can help mothers to implement a routine tailored to the family’s requests. Some families may want to follow a strict routine whereas others may want a more a relaxed, demand-based routine. Whichever pre-planned routine requirements are decided, the maternity nurse will be ready to implement and support it.
Teach and advise on newborn care
A maternity nurse can show, teach and carry out duties related to the physical and emotional aspects of caring for a newborn infant. These can be, but are not limited to, bathing, dressing, cleaning (babies areas) settling, comforting, taking out for walks in the pram and sterilizing bottles. As the baby gets older and if the maternity nurse is still employed they will then be responsible for making sure age appropriate stimulation is given such as singing, reading, playing simple games with the infant.
Give advice on breast feeding
As feeding is important to both mother and baby, a maternity nurse can offer support to mothers who wish to breastfeed or bottle-feed. They can offer advice and show mothers, effective breast-feeding methods. A maternity nurse may also support during night feeds by bringing the baby to the mother during the night if this is what the mother wishes. If the mother does not want the baby brought to them but still wishes to give the baby breast milk, the maternity nurse can give the baby expressed milk via a bottle.
Give advice on hygiene and bottle feeding
As with breast-feeding, a maternity nurse supports mothers who are bottle feeding by presenting correct sterilisation and effective bottle-feeding methods to ensure the baby, feeds in the most effective way and that both mother and baby feel comfortable during feeding and bonding periods.
Help the mother rest and recover
Maternity nurses can also support ill mothers following a delivery; this could be physical support to mothers who have had a C-section or for mothers who are suffering post-natal depression. Maternity nurses will use their training and experience to provide the correct advice to mothers who are suffering from depression. Mothers can find this extremely reassuring and comforting knowing a professional is with them providing the support they need.
Help integrate the baby into the family
Finally maternity nurses can help integrate a new baby into the family where existing children are present. They can help siblings to bond and understand the new arrival and make for a much more settling environment for all the family.
By employing and investing in a maternity nurse, you can be sure that your newborn and family are receiving the most up-to-date and professional support that you require to get through the first few months of your child’s life.