What is a Maternity Nurse?

Maternity Nurses are generally on duty six days a week, 24 hours a day. Alternatively, some Nurses cover an 8 -12 hour period, night or day. A Maternity Nurse will provide a broad range of duties to assist and guide parents in adapting to having a new addition to the family.

What duties does a maternity nurse perform?

A Maternity Nurse will take care of all duties associated with mother, baby and nursery. This can include some or all of the following:-

• Care of the baby's clothes and equipment

• Encourage and help with breast feeding if required

• Preparation and sterilisation of bottles

• Night feeds

• Provision of advice on all sorts of baby information

• Help and advice on getting the baby into a routine

All Maternity Nurses vary in the "extras" they will perform. This is something that should be investigated at the interview where your needs and their ability to meet them can be discussed. These extras may include shopping, preparation of meals, school runs and dog walking. A Maternity Nurse is not responsible for domestic cleaning, household laundry or care of siblings except where previously agreed.

We must stress that many extras will depend on the individual Maternity Nurse and also on how good baby is at night and the amount of sleep they have had. A Maternity Nurse cannot stay awake all day and night!