A baby nurse, also known as a newborn care specialist or night nurse, is an expert in newborn care who helps new parents during the first few weeks of life at home. They typically work at night, feeding and changing the baby so the parents can get some much-needed rest. While they are called baby nurses, they may or may not be licensed or registered nurses with medical training. They do, however, have expertise in infant care and development, including feeding, sleep training, CPR, managing multiples, and treating the special needs of preemies or babies with a medical condition.

Baby nurses can help parents, especially new moms, navigate the first hectic, overwhelming weeks with a baby. They can establish a bedtime routine, organize the nursery, help with feedings, and make sure parents are nourished and comfortable in the first few days they are home from the hospital. They can also show parents how to deal with common issues like colic, gas, and excessive crying, any one of which can stress out a first-time mom.

Most baby nurses have worked in hospitals, so they have more comprehensive experience in assessing and identifying medical issues or concerns. A baby nurses goal is to educate and empower the family to transition to family care or nanny care after their term is complete.

It is important to note that the term "baby nurse" is inaccurately a catch-all. People tend to use baby nurse interchangeably with nanny, newborn care specialist, night nurse, etc. However, not every person calling herself a baby nurse is an actual nurse, and this is something you will want to clarify before hiring someone to care for your child.