The First Night Home: A Step-by-Step Plan with Your Night Nanny (Cincinnati Edition)
Hi, mama. The first night home can feel big—beautiful and a little overwhelming.
Here’s a simple, soothing plan for how your first overnight with a night nanny typically flows in Cincinnati, so you can breathe and rest.
Before your nanny arrives (quick prep)
Set out feeding supplies (bottles, pump parts, milk/formula), labeled if possible.
Pick comfy sleepwear/swaddles and a backup outfit.
Clear a safe-sleep space (bassinet/crib, fitted sheet only).
Jot any preferences (soothing tricks, wake-window notes, siblings’ bedtime).
Optional: a small basket with diapers, wipes, burp cloths, saline & bulb syringe.
Perk: if you’re too tired to prep, that’s okay. Your nanny will gently set up what’s needed.
10–10:30 pm: A short hello (you set the tone)
Warm introductions, quick tour of the nursery, where things live, and where you want your nanny to sit/hold baby at night.
Share today’s feeding/diaper highlights and any pediatrician notes.
Confirm your preferences (pacifier? swaddle type? lights low vs very dim?).
Align on your overnight goals (e.g., “maximize sleep for mom,” “practice bottle,” “keep wake windows short”).
10:30PM–11:30 pm: Shift begins (you unwind)
Nanny washes hands, reviews supplies, and checks the safe-sleep setup.
If you’re feeding before bed, nanny helps with burp/settle and sets up your nightstand (water, snacks, pump parts).
You head to bed. Your nanny takes over—calm, quiet, and ready to take on whatever baby throws at them!
Overnight flow (gentle, responsive care)
Feeds: Your plan—breast/chest, bottle, expressed milk, or formula. Nanny handles prep, pace-feeding, burping, and tidy-up.
Soothing: Swaddle/sleep sack as appropriate, low stimulation, responsive comforting.
Diapers & comfort: Fresh diaper each wake, diaper-rash care per your instructions.
Tracking: A simple nightly log (times of feeds, ounces/minutes, diapers, sleep notes, any tips for tomorrow).
Sanitation: Bottles/pump parts washed and set to dry; work surface wiped down.
Safety: Baby always sleeps on a firm, flat surface—bassinet/crib—no pillows, blankets, or plush items.
Twins? Your nanny manages a gentle tandem rhythm—staggering feeds just enough to keep everyone steady and you resting.
5:50-6:00 am: Morning handoff (you wake to a plan)
Quiet room reset, clean bottles prepped for your morning, hamper tidied.
Handoff chat (or text, if you prefer sleeping in):
Brief overview of how the night went
Soothing techniques that worked
All the data you need about the night via Huckleberry (what and when baby ate, total ounces/minutes, diaper counts, wake windows, etc.)
A tiny “today tip” (ex: adjust the first nap window, try paced bottle at X angle)
You cuddle your baby; the nanny slips out. The day already feels lighter.
So now that we’ve covered what an overnight looks like, here’s a couple other things to keep in mind.
What’s not included (clear and kind)
No heavy housework or sibling childcare (unless arranged).
No medical procedures or medical care.
Driving or errands during the overnight.
A simple checklist for your fridge
Bottles, nipples, pump parts set out
Diaper basket ready (diapers, wipes, cream)
Swaddles/sleep sacks within reach
Bassinet/crib cleared—fitted sheet only
Notes: feeding plan, soothing preferences, today’s highlights
Water & snacks for you (you matter, too!)
Cincinnati families ask us…
Can I wake to breastfeed and then hand baby back?
Absolutely. Your nanny can bring baby to you, help with latch/positioning as requested, then handle burp/diaper/settle so you go right back to sleep.
What if my baby has reflux or is gassy?
Your nanny will pace feeds, burp thoroughly, and keep baby upright as recommended, tracking what helps so you see patterns.
We have twins—how does that work?
We keep a calm rhythm: gentle staggering or tandem feeds as appropriate, plus a twin-friendly log so mornings feel organized.
An easy next step
If your heart says, “We just need a little help,” you’re not alone. Share your due date, baby’s age, and ideal schedule—we’ll send options that fit your family and your budget. You’ve got this.