For night support, it is best to get in touch as early as possible, especially if you want support around your due date or during the first weeks after birth. For 24-hour care, I usually recommend booking 4-6 months in advance, as these placements need more planning and I do not take emergency 24-hour bookings. I also like to keep space before and after longer bookings where possible, because babies can arrive early, families often extend, and I want to arrive rested and fully present for each family. For night support, it is still worth asking about availability even at shorter notice. I keep some periods of the year more open for urgent night support, depending on where I am and whether I have free nights available.

The best start date depends on your due date, birth plan, hospital stay, and the type of support you are booking. For many first babies, I usually suggest starting 1-2 weeks after the due date, because babies can arrive late and mothers may stay in hospital for a few days after birth. If you want me to hold time from your exact due date, this can be discussed, but a retainer may apply if the baby is overdue and I am keeping those dates available for you. We stay in touch during the last weeks of pregnancy, especially after check-ups, so we can adjust the plan as much as possible.

This depends on your birth, your support system, and how you want the first days at home to feel. Some families want me there from the first day home, especially after a C-section, with twins, as single parents, as expats, or when they do not have trusted newborn support nearby. In this case, I can help the family settle in, support feeding, rest, baby care, and help parents feel less alone from the beginning. Other families prefer to spend the first week or two quietly at home with the baby, especially if they already have good support and clear boundaries around visitors. In that case, I can come in later to help observe patterns, support sleep and feeding rhythm, and build a gentle structure. For planned C-sections, the start date is often easier to arrange around the hospital stay and discharge date. If you are unsure, we can discuss your birth plan, family situation, and what kind of support would feel most helpful.

This depends on your situation, your baby’s needs, and the level of support you want. Some families book a few nights for rest, recovery, or help through a difficult stage. Others book several weeks or the first 12 weeks if they want more consistent support with feeding, settling, sleep rhythm, confidence, and newborn care. For 24-hour care, I usually offer a minimum of 3 consecutive days, with longer blocks planned in advance. I do not usually take newborn care bookings longer than 6 months, as the baby’s needs change a lot after that stage. If you have twins, a premature baby, reflux, feeding difficulties, limited family support, or a clear goal such as returning to work, it is usually better to book more support early rather than wait until everyone is exhausted.

Yes, if I have availability. Many families start with a certain number of nights, then decide to add extra nights each week, extend by a few more weeks, or sometimes continue for longer. It is always better to discuss this early, because extra dates cannot be guaranteed once other bookings are in place. For 24-hour care, the structure is usually planned differently. Some families book a 24-hour block first, then move into night support afterwards, gradually reducing the nights as they feel more confident.

Yes, sometimes. Short-term night support can be helpful if you need rest, recovery, help after a difficult stretch, or support while getting through a few unsettled nights. Availability depends on where I am, how much notice you give, and whether I have free nights. For 24-hour care, I do not usually take very short-notice or emergency bookings, as those placements need more planning.

For night support, yes, depending on my availability. I often keep some space in the year for urgent or short-notice night support, depending on where I am and whether I have free nights available. For 24-hour care, I do not usually accept last-minute or emergency bookings, as these placements need proper planning. It is always worth asking about availability, especially for night support.

If your baby arrives early, please let me know as soon as you can. I usually keep some space before longer bookings where possible, because babies do not always arrive on schedule. If I am available, I may be able to start earlier than planned. If not, we keep the agreed start date and discuss what support is possible in the meantime. For 24-hour care, any change to the start date depends on my availability and what has already been agreed. Some families also choose to book me before the due date, especially for 24-hour care, preparation at home, hospital support, or peace of mind around older children. In that case, this is fully paid working time, not retainer time.

f your baby is overdue, we stay in communication and follow the agreement already in place. If I am holding your confirmed start date and cannot take another booking because I am reserved for you, a retainer may apply until the booking begins. This is why I often suggest booking the start date carefully, especially with first babies, who can arrive later than expected. The booking does not automatically extend at the end because the baby arrived late, unless we agree this separately.

Yes. I offer preparation consultations for parents who want to feel more confident before the baby comes home. This can include what to expect in the first days, basic newborn care, feeding, sleep setup, night support planning, what to prepare at home, and how to protect the early postnatal period from too much outside pressure. Some families use this time to ask practical questions before birth, so they feel calmer and more prepared when the baby arrives.