I love my job! But it makes for a complicated schedule. And one that’s always changing! So, when people ask me what a normal day is like, I can’t give them one simple answer.
Instead, I’ve tried to lay out here, what life is like for me, depending on where I am in the world, and whether I’m working day or night shifts.
I hope it helps to give you a sense of what I’m up to. For more insights into what it’s like being a night nanny, you can have a look here.
Sleepy in Sydney
I love Sydney, and I’ve worked with so many lovely families, helping them navigate those tricky first months as parents. Here’s what life looks like for me on this side of the globe.
On the night time shift
Generally, for a night shift, I’ll start work around 7.30 pm to settle the baby. If the baby is bottle feeding then I handle all the night feeds. If mum is breastfeeding, then we’ll aim for her to do the 10/11 pm feed, before I take the baby while she pumps as needed overnight. This gives her a proper stretch of sleep to recover and feel refreshed for the coming day.
I usually have a cooler just outside their bedroom door to maximise her sleep opportunity, and I will wash pump parts, give the baby expressed milk in a bottle, and wash the bottles afterwards.
It’s so important for my physical and mental health to stay active and flexible. Nights spent rocking heavy babies, or leaning over cots patting bottoms take their toll! So, once I leave my clients, I head straight for a Pilates class. Then it’s home to shower and have breakfast. I might catch up on some sleep (depending on how the night has gone).
On the day shift
If I’ve been sleeping in my own bed, then my alarm goes off at 6 am, I’m out the door at 7.30 am, and I won’t get home until 7.30 pm after I’ve put the baby to bed.
On a half day, I’ll wake up at 8 am and spend the morning catching up on remote clients who have questions or struggles. I’ll post on social media, update my website, answer emails – all the usual admin things.
I always make sure I have a good meal before I leave the house. As you mums will understand, you never know when you’ll get to eat when you’re looking after a baby!
Once I’m at work, my day revolves around the baby I’m caring for. Feeding, playing, settling for naps, and doing the bedtime routine. Then I’m home for 7.30 pm. I’m a comfort girl, so I’m straight into my PJs, and after a quick dinner, I’m done for the night.
If I have an overnight client as well, then I’ll go straight from one house to another – there’s no time to go home in between usually!
Life in London
The families I work with in London need me full-time, so I work 24 hours 5-6 days a week. It’s a full-on schedule, but I love it!
My day begins when the baby wakes up. I’ll take bub into mum for a feed, and get them situated before taking my 4-hour break. Usually, in this time I’ll sleep, eat, relax, or fit in a PT session.
When I return, my job is to help mum and baby for the rest of the day. And then just like in Sydney, the night shift is my responsibility. With mum doing the 10/11 pm feed, before handing bub over to me until morning.
It might seem pretty full-on, even a little confusing. But I love the variety, the different families I get to work with, and the gorgeous babies I get to know.
If you’d like to find out how I can help your family, then why not book a free consultation call here, so we can get to know each other?
