Caring for newborns can be one of the most fulfilling and eventful careers available. For those who wish to work with infants, there are several professional options. From the medical to the childcare industries, here are ten careers that cater to the care of newborns.
- Midwifery – Midwives can be nurses with specialized training or lay midwives, with no medical training outside the scope of labor and delivery. As the popularity of natural birthing options increases, so does the demand for trained midwives.
- Neonatal Nursing – Nurses who work in labor and delivery wards are called neonatal nurses, and are primarily responsible for the care of new moms and their babies.
- Doula – A doula provides support during pregnancy, acts as an intermediary between laboring moms and medical staff, and helps new mothers adjust to caring for an infant. Depending on the needs of the new mother and the workload of a doula, the post-partum support relationship can continue for quite some time.
- Lactation Consultant – While many lactation consultants provide prenatal training, the bulk of their work consists of helping newborns and their mothers learn proper breastfeeding techniques and providing support to those having difficulties with the breastfeeding process.
- Nanny Specialist – While many nannies work with children of all ages, there are also a group that specialize solely in the care of newborns and helping new mothers adjust to the stressful job of parenting. These nannies typically only stay with a family for the first three months of a baby’s life, leaving infant and toddler care to nannies who work with children of all ages.
- Pediatrician – Pediatricians provide medical care to newborns and children, including routine checkups and illness care. Many also offer advice for nutrition, parenting and other aspects of newborn care.
- Feeding Specialist – Formula-fed babies sometimes have difficulty digesting certain types of formula, which is where a feeding specialists job begins. A feeding specialist works with parents to find the best possible option for nutrition during the newborn period.
- Obstetrics – With their extensive medical and specialization training, obstetricians are able to deliver babies naturally and also to perform cesarean sections in the event of an emergency. Most children are delivered by an obstetrician.
- Sleep Training Specialist – A sleep training specialist typically reports in the evening and works throughout the night, helping a newborn establish sleeping patterns and learn to self-soothe. Unlike a newborn nanny, sleep training specialists provide no daytime care services.
- Specialized Day Care Provider – Most daycare centers do not accept infants under three months of age; newborns are generally relegated to centers that specialize in the care of brand new babies. Employees of these dedicated centers are typically highly trained and capable of working under the high-pressure conditions than an all-newborn environment creates.
Working with newborns requires some type of training, regardless of the chosen field. Specializing nannies and day care providers should be proficient in infant CPR and well-versed in the needs of a very young infant.
