When to book a night nurse
Start looking
before you need sleep.
The weeks before your baby arrives go fast. Here is when families usually start looking for a night nurse, when to book, what to have ready for the first night, and how many nights people tend to book.
The short answer
Start looking in the second trimester and aim to have someone chosen by about 28 weeks. With twins, start earlier. If your baby is already here, you can still book. You will just have fewer people to choose from.
A trimester timeline
From first look to first night.
- 1sttrimester
Learn the options
Nothing to book yet. Read about the difference between a night nurse and a newborn care specialist, think about a budget, and talk about how many nights would help. If you learn you are expecting twins, move everything below a little earlier.
- 2ndtrimester
Start your search
Many families start looking somewhere in the second trimester. Browse caregivers for free, compare rates and nights, and unlock up to three you like. Their vetting starts then, including an interview by a registered nurse with your own questions.
- 28weeks
Choose and agree on terms
Around the start of the third trimester is a comfortable time to have someone chosen. Agree on nights, hours, rate and what happens if your baby comes early. Due dates are estimates, so a flexible start date helps.
- 34weeks
Get the house ready
Set up a safe sleep space, stock the feeding supplies and write down the details your caregiver will need. The list is below.
- Birthand home
Tell your caregiver
Send a message when the baby arrives. Many families start the first night home. Others wait a few nights and start once the first rush of visitors is over.
- 6weeks
Check in and adjust
Look at how the nights are going. Some families add nights, some taper down, and some keep the same schedule until the baby sleeps longer stretches.
A guide, not a rule. Every pregnancy and every city is different.
If you are expecting twins or more
Twins often arrive before their due date, so move the timeline up. Start looking early in the second trimester and try to have someone chosen early in the third. Look for a caregiver who has cared for multiples overnight, and expect their rate to run about $5 to $10 an hour higher. If your babies need a hospital stay after birth, your nurse starts once they are home.
How booking works with us
Browse for free, then pay a $250 deposit to unlock up to three caregivers. That shows their first names and starts their vetting: license verification and an interview by a registered nurse with your questions. You add any other checks you want, each priced on its own. When you hire, you pay one flat placement fee of $1,500 for a licensed night nurse, with your deposit credited.
What to have ready
Before the first night.
A safe sleep space
A crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet, and nothing else in it. Your baby sleeps on their back in their own space, in your room, without bed sharing. With twins, each baby gets their own.
A feeding plan
Bottles, formula or a spot for stored milk, and clean pump parts. Decide how night feeds will go and whether you want to be woken to nurse.
The details
Your baby's doctor's number and after-hours line, your address and how to get in, where diapers and clothes live, and a place for the night log.
The paperwork
You hire your caregiver directly, so you may owe household payroll taxes as their employer. A household payroll service can handle this for you.
How many nights a week
There is no standard. Two or three nights a week is common for families who want to catch up on sleep and still do some nights themselves. Others book five to seven nights for the first few weeks, then taper. Shifts are often 8 to 10 hours, such as 10 pm to 6 am. As an example, 3 nights of 9 hours at $60 an hour comes to $1,620 a week, paid to your nurse.
How many weeks
Families commonly book anywhere from a few weeks to about three months. Some stop once they feel steady, others once the baby sleeps longer stretches at night. Every baby gets there on their own schedule. If you have questions about your baby's sleep or feeding, call your baby's doctor.
Questions families ask
How far in advance should I book a night nurse?
There is no single right week. Many families start looking in the second trimester and have someone chosen by the start of the third. Caregivers in busy cities can book up months ahead, so starting earlier gives you more choice.
Can I book a night nurse after my baby is born?
Yes. Some caregivers have openings on short notice. You will have fewer people to choose from than if you had started earlier, but it is never too late to look.
What if my baby comes early?
Talk about this before you agree on terms. Many caregivers can start early or shift their dates if they know ahead of time. If your baby needs to stay in the hospital, your nurse starts once you are home.
How many nights a week do families book?
It varies. Two to three nights a week is common for families who want to catch up on sleep. Others book five to seven nights for the first few weeks and then taper. Families with twins often book more nights.
When should I book a night nurse for twins?
Earlier than you would for one baby. Twins often arrive before their due date, so aim to have someone chosen early in the third trimester and ask about a flexible start.
Book your nights early.
Browse licensed night nurses near you for free.
Rather not browse? Send a free request and our nurse picks for you, or get a call from a nurse.