A night nanny will be alone with your baby while you sleep. These questions help you check safety, fit and the small print before you pay a deposit. A good candidate will be glad you asked.
Training and safety
1. What training do you have, and is your infant CPR current? Night nannies, also called newborn care specialists, aren’t licensed, so training varies widely. Ask where they trained and how long the course was, and ask to see a current infant CPR and first aid card.
A good answer names a specific newborn care course, gives the date of their last CPR renewal, and offers copies without being asked twice.
2. How do you put a baby down to sleep? This is the most important safety question on the list. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in their own sleep space, with no loose bedding, pillows, bumpers or soft toys.
A good answer matches that guidance without hesitation. Be cautious if they mention letting a baby sleep on their chest, using inclined sleepers or positioners, or swaddling a baby who is starting to roll.
Feeding and your baby’s needs
3. How will you support the way we feed? Whether you’re nursing, pumping, using formula or a mix, the night routine should support your plan, not change it.
A good answer starts by asking about your goals. If you’re nursing, they bring the baby to you, then burp, change and settle afterward. If you’re pumping, they handle bottles and clean the pump parts. With formula, they know safe preparation and storage.
4. Have you worked with twins, preemies or babies with reflux? If your baby is in one of these groups, you want someone who has done it before, not someone learning on your nights.
A good answer includes specifics: how they keep twins on a shared schedule, how they pace feeds for a small baby, or how they keep a baby with reflux upright after feeds. They should also know when to tell you a doctor should take a look. If your baby has medical needs, such as oxygen or medication, ask whether a night nurse would be a better fit.
What the night looks like
5. What does a typical night look like? The answer shows how organized they are and what you can expect.
A good answer walks you through arrival, a quick handover, feeds, diaper changes, settling, when they’ll wake you, bottle washing and the morning report. They should tell you whether they stay awake all night or rest while the baby sleeps, and where the baby sleeps between feeds.
6. Do you work on sleep shaping, and when would you start? Many night nannies help babies toward longer stretches as they grow. That’s different from formal sleep training, which isn’t recommended for young babies.
A good answer is gentle and suits your baby’s age. They follow your baby’s cues, start with basics like a bedtime routine and clear day-night signals, and don’t promise a newborn will sleep through by a certain date. They also ask what you’re comfortable with.
Communication and backup
7. How do you keep logs and hand over in the morning? After a night of sleep, you’ll want to know what happened: feeds and amounts, diapers, wake times and anything unusual.
A good answer is a written or app-based log you can see, plus a short handover each morning. They should also tell you what they’d wake you for during the night, such as a fever or a feeding problem.
8. What happens if you’re sick or can’t make a shift? Night nannies get sick too, and newborns shouldn’t be around anyone who is.
A good answer is that they stay home when sick and tell you as early as possible. Ask whether they have a backup, such as a colleague or an agency, and whether you’d meet that person first. Many families also ask about vaccines, such as flu and whooping cough.
Rates, booking and the small print
9. What are your rates, minimums and deposit? On our site’s typical figures, night nannies charge about $35 to $55 an hour, and many charge more for twins. Ask about the minimum shift length, the minimum nights per week, the shortest booking they take, and the deposit needed to hold your dates.
A good answer gives clear numbers in writing, including what the deposit covers and whether it’s refundable. Ask what happens to your booking if your baby arrives early or late.
10. What’s your cancellation policy, and do holiday rates apply? Plans change with newborns. Hospital stays and early arrivals happen.
A good answer is a written policy with notice periods and any fees, plus a list of the holidays that carry a higher rate and how much more they cost. Read it before you sign, not after.
References and checks
11. Can I speak to recent families? Ask for two or three families from the last year or two, ideally with babies like yours.
A good answer is a quick yes with names and phone numbers. When you call, ask about reliability, safe sleep and whether they would book the same night nanny again.
12. Will you consent to a background check? You may want to run your own check, even if an agency already has. If you use a background screening company, you need the night nanny’s written consent first.
A good answer is a straightforward yes. Ask when their last check was and who ran it. Hesitation here is a reason to pause.
Put the agreed rate, schedule, deposit, cancellation terms and holiday rates in a written agreement, and make sure you both sign it. If an answer changes between the interview and the contract, ask why.