What is a Newborn Care Specialist?

I recently had the pleasure to talk to Natalie Akpele of Cuddlebuggs, newborn care and nanny education company. I was interested to find out what a newborn care specialist is and how do they help families with newborns. Natalie works in the home with families to help them transition from hospital to home. She mostly works overnight to care for the newborn, while the parents get some much needed rest! Wow, I could really have used Natalie's services when my son was born, nobody in our house got sleep for months!

Natalie went on to tell me that there is much more to it than that. In addition to feeding, changing and keeping watch over baby, she provides parent education, including sleep training. Natalie starts with swaddling, a pacifier and a sound machine. She may also recommend positioning, including elevating the crib for infants with reflux. (See Natalie's review of Baby Stay Asleep).

What is her infant sleep training philosophy? She uses bits and pieces from different sleep training methods. She feels that sleep is essential for newborns - "it is the center of who they are". Therefore, it is important to develop healthy sleep habits. She believes babies should sleep in a familiar surrounding. The sounds from the sound machine are similar to the sounds in the womb and therefore familiar to the baby. She also believes they should sleep in their own crib - to learn that this is their "sleep space" – and is not opposed to some crying. Waiting too long to have baby sleep in their own space can make it difficult to transition later on.

Natalie's services are invaluable to new parents! The combination of getting some sound advice and sound sleep can make for one happy family!