Has anyone used a nanny to help during first weeks with new baby?

[gardengirl]

Hubby and I are expecting our first kiddo here in a few weeks and we're a little uncertain about all the aspects of caring for a newborn. Unfortunately, we have no family within 1,000 miles, and while we've met some great friends, we don't want to impose on them for their help. (Even the soon-to-be grandparents aren't able to fly out for the big event so we're somewhat on our own.)

I was wondering if anyone in Southern Maryland had ever hired a nanny or some other experienced caregiver to come over a few hours a day to give a helping hand while you adjusted to sleep deprivation, newborn care, etc. My girlfriends with children have been telling me it's "a must" to have someone around. So, I'm not really sure where to start the search...are there post-partum doulas around here? Nannies for hire in St. Mary's County? Thanks in advance!

 

[hborror]

I don't know of anyone but I just wanted to try to take some of the scare out of ya...I didn't have anyone around I had her on a Friday and hubby went back to work on Tuesday. As long as you get some rest when they rest which is alot for newborns you will be fine.

 

[sunflower]

I never had any help. I never got much sleep. You will adjust to the changes. Good Luck and enjoy every moment with your baby....

 

[CMC122]

I never had any help. I never got much sleep. You will adjust to the changes. Good Luck and enjoy every moment with your baby....

No help with all 3 of them and we all survived just fine

 

[vraiblonde]

No help. Hubby worked weird shifts. Family half the continent away from us. We survived.

That said, if you can afford help definitely get it. Why go it alone if you don't have to?

 

[Nanny Pam]

No help. Hubby worked weird shifts. Family half the continent away from us. We survived.

That said, if you can afford help definitely get it. Why go it alone if you don't have to?

I agree. If you can afford it, go for it!

 

[Nanny Pam]

I agree. If you can afford it, go for it!

P.S. I'd love to help you out, but I live way over here in Rehoboth Beach. Sorry!

 

[mamissa3]

You get used to the changes. Just sleep when baby sleeps and you have lots of patience and you will do fine. Good luck!! enjoy also!!

 

[Wenchy]

You have found this forum, and we love to help (really)

As the others have said, sleep when the baby sleeps, and enjoy every single moment.

I would suggest looking for somebody to clean the house (if you don't have that already) and prepare the meals, so you can enjoy your time with your precious one.

 

[itsbob]

Hubby and I are expecting our first kiddo here in a few weeks and we're a little uncertain about all the aspects of caring for a newborn. Unfortunately, we have no family within 1,000 miles, and while we've met some great friends, we don't want to impose on them for their help. (Even the soon-to-be grandparents aren't able to fly out for the big event so we're somewhat on our own.)

I was wondering if anyone in Southern Maryland had ever hired a nanny or some other experienced caregiver to come over a few hours a day to give a helping hand while you adjusted to sleep deprivation, newborn care, etc. My girlfriends with children have been telling me it's "a must" to have someone around. So, I'm not really sure where to start the search...are there post-partum doulas around here? Nannies for hire in St. Mary's County? Thanks in advance!

I think the first few weeks is a very important time for the baby, mom and dad to form the bond that will last the rest of your lives.. now if you want your baby to bond with someone else, then by all means, hire a nanny.. if you want to experience the joy of truly bonding with another human being, do it yourself.

 

[Bustem' Down]

I think the first few weeks is a very important time for the baby, mom and dad to form the bond that will last the rest of your lives.. now if you want your baby to bond with someone else, then by all means, hire a nanny.. if you want to experience the joy of truly bonding with another human being, do it yourself.

Naw, I don't buy that. The bond happens at the very begining after birth. A friend of mine had a baby last year and they had every family member on earth there for the first few weeks helping out and that baby knows who her mom and dad are.

 

[Lilypad]

Hubby and I are expecting our first kiddo here in a few weeks and we're a little uncertain about all the aspects of caring for a newborn. Unfortunately, we have no family within 1,000 miles, and while we've met some great friends, we don't want to impose on them for their help. (Even the soon-to-be grandparents aren't able to fly out for the big event so we're somewhat on our own.)

I was wondering if anyone in Southern Maryland had ever hired a nanny or some other experienced caregiver to come over a few hours a day to give a helping hand while you adjusted to sleep deprivation, newborn care, etc. My girlfriends with children have been telling me it's "a must" to have someone around. So, I'm not really sure where to start the search...are there post-partum doulas around here? Nannies for hire in St. Mary's County? Thanks in advance!

Wonder what your mum did? Did you have a nanny?
Whatever you do, make sure the person is bonded, certified, licensed, has had a background check, and isn't an illegal alien. Good luck!
Your girlfriends actually said that????

 

[Wenchy]

Naw, I don't buy that. The bond happens at the very begining after birth. A friend of mine had a baby last year and they had every family member on earth there for the first few weeks helping out and that baby knows who her mom and dad are.

My children almost didn't have grandparents after they descended upon me like locusts. They were uninvited/unwanted, and stayed for a week. Go have your first baby and see.

Paid help for a few hours a day might have been nice, but I had my DH to help out when he got home.

I would have loved to have sent his parents packing, but I was nice.

 

[buddy999]

Hubby and I are expecting our first kiddo here in a few weeks and we're a little uncertain about all the aspects of caring for a newborn. Unfortunately, we have no family within 1,000 miles, and while we've met some great friends, we don't want to impose on them for their help. (Even the soon-to-be grandparents aren't able to fly out for the big event so we're somewhat on our own.)

I was wondering if anyone in Southern Maryland had ever hired a nanny or some other experienced caregiver to come over a few hours a day to give a helping hand while you adjusted to sleep deprivation, newborn care, etc. My girlfriends with children have been telling me it's "a must" to have someone around. So, I'm not really sure where to start the search...are there post-partum doulas around here? Nannies for hire in St. Mary's County? Thanks in advance!

I worked with someone who employed an Au Pair on a regular basis. The service allowed the Au Pair to take care of small children but not newborns. She recently had a new baby and the Au Pair was not allowed to watch the baby because of his age.

Try this website for starters: http://www.nannies4hire.com/state/Maryland/

 

[sunflower]

I think the first few weeks is a very important time for the baby, mom and dad to form the bond that will last the rest of your lives.. now if you want your baby to bond with someone else, then by all means, hire a nanny.. if you want to experience the joy of truly bonding with another human being, do it yourself.

 

[jwwb2000]

I didn't have any extra help with either one of mine. My oldest was born while dad was overseas and he didn't get home until she was 10 weeks old. With my youngest, I had the help of dad when he wasn't working.

 

[morganj614]

Babies sleep, feed and poop the first few months. Help? For what? :shrug:

 

[terbear1225]

hire someone if you want. no, it's not necessary, but not having to worry about preparing meals, doing laundry or cleaning sure was nice. my mom came to stay with us for a few days and it was a real blessing having her there. it's all well and good to say "just sleep when the baby sleeps and you'll be fine" but if you're sleeping, when are you going to get the other stuff done? don't worry about the baby bonding with someone else. if they're there to do the housework stuff, that means you get to spend MORE time with the baby. also, keep ini mind if you need to have a c-section, you're not going to be able to do a lot of stuff for a while.

as for a post partum doula, I say go for it, especially if your planning to breast feed. it may seem like a very natural thing that everyone should instinctively know how to do, but that's not always the case. It's nice to have someone there who's trained to help out. And if you have never cared for an infant before it can be very nerve racking not knowing if you're doing things right.

 

[barncat]

I had my mom come over the first day home to help but that's only because I panicked because Allison wouldn't wake up to eat. It didn't dawn on me that she was exhausted from the PKU test she had before she left the hospital and the drugs that were more than likely passing through my breastmilk, epidural(sp?) and advil. She pretty much slept the first day home.

My hubby is a great help. He does the cooking, cleaning and washing and drying of laundry, I'm responsible for folding laundry and helping here and there. If your husband can step up to the plate and help with those chores while you get adjusted to taking care of the new baby, you should be fine without any help.

Good luck!

 

[vraiblonde]

Babies sleep, feed and poop the first few months. Help? For what?

OMG!

It's easy to say "sleep when the baby sleeps" but I'd have liked to slap my doctor when he told me that. Maybe some people can fall asleep on command but I never could. And Doug would only eat a few ounces at a time, so you know what that means - he ate every two hours or so.

I say hire the help. "Bonding" with your baby is all well and good, but if you're constantly exhausted and on the verge of tears (or actively IN tears) that bonding isn't going to be all that effective.