11 Jobs with Babies: Rewarding Careers (Emotionally & Financially)

Each of us has their skills and talents, and it’s clear that every person has its destined career.

Some people are great when it comes to working with babies.

Working with babies is for sure a rewarding career, even if not in a financial way.

If you’re looking for jobs with babies and want to work closely with babies, you should know that there is a whole bunch of career options.

Babies need lots of attention, in fact, sometimes even more than anyone else.

A variety of facilities and organizations such as hospitals and educational facilities look for qualified people constantly.

It should be mentioned that the careers that involve babies and toddlers are challenging.

Nevertheless, any of these careers are rewarding as you are going to support people who aren’t yet able to help themselves.

As we’ve already mentioned, there are lots of career options in this area.

However, there is something similar about all these options, and it is the ability to be gentle, and compassionate.

Most of such careers are related to the medical sphere.

Those people, who thought of entering the medical field, should consider that working with newborns is one of the best options.

Moreover, it is for sure will be a rewarding career and most options don’t require years of training.

Best Careers that Involve Working with Babies

This article contains a list of the most popular job options for those who want working with babies.

Most of these careers are offered by clinics and hospitals.

In fact, there is a constant demand in such specialists which means that it can be easy to wind a job.

As you understand, the number of variants vary significantly.

Some of them are really peaceful and calm while others are absolutely challenging.

It means that the time you may spend on your training significantly depends on the type of career you are interested in.

So, let’s learn about some of the most popular career options.

If you are thinking of entering the field, you should get as much info as you can about it.

Labor and Delivery Nurse

Speaking of the jobs related to newborns, you should start with the career that deals with the birth of a baby.

A labor and delivery nurse is a great option for those who are interested in jobs related to babies.

Usually, these nurses assist obstetricians and help mothers through the delivery of a baby.

In fact, labor and delivery nurse career requires some training but it can take rather less time than such options as obstetricians.

Just keep in mind that you need to pass an exam to start your career.

Nevertheless, it is enough to get an associate’s degree to start your career.

As soon as your training is completed, you can enter the field and help mothers and babies during the delivery process.

Also, after obtaining your certification, you can look into some specializations.

For example, you can take the voluntary certification or look for other numerous options.

Being a vocational nurse, you could also be assisting labor and delivery nurses doing their job, if you’re looking for a career with fewer years of training.

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Most adults know who is physical therapists and what they do.

Nevertheless, in most cases, we don’t often think about the fact that babies may also need a physical therapist’s support and help.

Just keep in mind that such specialists are mainly obliged to work with disabled babies.

Sometimes, premature babies also need physical therapy.

The main responsibility of these specialists is to provide help to injured and disabled babies.

Also, they often work with ill babies who have problems with movements because of some disease.

Moreover, physical therapists help babies to deal with the pain they may experience because of their movement issues.

It means that this career can be especially hard as you need to be able to stay calm so you can support babies that are in pain.

If you want to help such babies, you should know lots of things such as specific movements that help reduce the pain, various massage techniques, and proper ways to manipulate babies’ musculus.

This career is absolutely rewarding not only in a financial way as it is always amazing to see a baby that gets rid of pain and can move freely.

Nevertheless, you should know that if you want to become a physical therapist, you need to obtain lots of training.

In fact, it requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree as well as a state certification.

Infant Massage Therapist

An infant massage therapist differs significantly from a pediatric physical therapist.

In most cases, infant massage therapists work with premature babies.

The main duty of an infant massage therapist is to help premature babies to develop musculus strength as the lack of it can lead to the movements’ issues.

In other words, these specialists work to help premature babies to grow properly and become stronger.

Also, such specialists are really important when it comes to the development of babies that were born early.

If you want to enroll in this career, you’ll be glad to know that it doesn’t require a doctoral degree.

It is enough to complete a special training program and get a certification.

Newborn Hearing Screener

Hearing is one of the first things that is checked as soon as a baby is born.

A newborn hearing screener is an absolutely important career.

These specialists are also called as newborn screening technicians and they work in neonatal units.

The responsibility of such specialists is to make sure that all required testings are done after a baby is born.

Neonatal hearing screeners perform some of these tests.

They prepare and maintain the equipment used for a hearing test and make sure that baby’s hearing is on the proper level.

After completing some basic tests, neonatal hearing screeners decide whether some extra tests are needed.

Also, if it is necessary, they discuss with parents the actions that should be taken to resolve some problems.

In most cases, neonatal hearing screeners don’t work with each baby for a long period of time but sometimes you may need to work with a few babies from day to day for a certain period of time.

Baby Sign Language Instructor

Sign language instructors that work with babies, don’t usually work in clinics or hospitals.

Nevertheless, in most cases, such specialists are recommended by medical facilities workers.

When a baby has problems with hearing, it means that they may need to learn how to use sign language to be able to communicate.

Considering the fact that in such a situation sign language can be the only baby’s option to communicate, this career is really rewarding.

If you want to enroll in this career, first of all, you need to learn American Sign Language.

There is a variety of courses that should be completed in order to start this career.

In most cases, it’s enough to take courses on your own to start your career as an Independent Certified Instructor.

You can find a bunch of programs that are focused on sign language for toddlers and babies.

If you are interested in communication, this career is a great option for you as you can help lots of babies to be able to ‘speak’.

NICU Volunteer

If you are interested in a part-time job, volunteering is a great option for you.

Even without payment, taking care of babies and toddlers is a rewarding occupation itself.

You should know that numerous hospitals are looking for volunteers that can help in neonatal units.

In most cases. volunteers are needed when there is a necessity to hold babies in a hospital.

Usually, babies are held in hospitals in order to benefit their health and sometimes their parents cannot stay with their kids.

According to the researches, holding a baby is really important for their health and emotional state.

You don’t need any specific training to perform this job, especially considering the fact it’s a volunteer position.

Nevertheless, each hospital has its own requirements for volunteers who want to occupy this position.

The most common requirements are a certain period of volunteering in a medical facility and some basic training.

Also, your background will be checked for sure.

If you want to take care of newborns and help them feel better, you should know that this job is for sure a rewarding option for you.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood samples and they work with various patients constantly.

Often, it happens that they need to work with newborns and babies.

Of course, there aren’t many cases when lots f blood samples are drawn from babies and in most cases, a finger prick technique is used.

Nevertheless, on some occasions, much more blood tests may be required.

As a phlebotomist, you are going to use almost the same procedures you use with adults when it comes to babies.

Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that the location of the puncture differs as from babies, blood is drawn from the heel of the foot.

Also, it is important to be able to work with other team members and parents as you may need their help to perform your duties.

If you want to work as a phlebotomist, you need to complete a specialized training program.

You aren’t obliged to obtain a certification or a college degree but it can help you to improve your career prospects.

If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, read more about phlebotomists training here.

Pediatrician

Pediatricians work with newborns and are responsible for their health until they are teens and even adults.

As a pediatrician, you can work in clinics and hospitals, and even start your own practice.

If you decide to enroll in this career, you should now that you are going to work with lots of kids every day.

As we’ve already said, pediatricians are responsible for the healthy state of babies, toddlers, and teens.

It means that they are responsible for health examination and treatment of various diseases and illnesses including injuries.

To be able to work as a pediatrician, you need to complete a medical school.

It will give you a possibility to obtain all the required knowledge and skills.

Midwife

In most cases, midwives support mothers during the delivery process.

Nevertheless, it’s not the only responsibility of these specialists as also they are important for the babies’ wellbeing.

It should be mentioned that midwives not only support mothers as lots of women give preference to a midwife instead of an obstetrician.

Midwives are usually asked to help when it comes to home birth.

If you want to enroll in this career, you don’t need a medical degree which means that it’s a great option for anyone who wants to work with pregnant women and babies.

To be able to start your career, you only need to complete a specialized training program.

Also, you can start working as a midwife nurse as this specialist has almost the same responsibilities.

Just keep in mind that you need to have some nursing credentials to apply for this job.

Midwives are often compared with doulas but these two careers differ significantly.

A midwife – it is a healthcare provider and doulas have nothing to do with the baby delivery process.

In fact, doulas are responsible for mothers’ health and their needs.

Normally, doulas provide coaching for future mothers to help them feel better physically and emotionally during pregnancy and after it.

Also, they may take part in home births but also they support mothers during the delivery process in a hospital.

Nevertheless, instead of midwives, doulas cannot deliver babies as they don’t have medical education.

Newborn Specialist

If you want to become a newborn specialist, you should know that they don’t usually work in hospitals.

They support parents during a few first months of a baby’s life, visiting them at home.

Newborn specialists have a whole bunch of various duties including such points as:

• Changing, cleaning, and dressing the baby;
• Preparing bottles for feeding;
• Caring for the baby overnight so parents can get some sleep;
• Helping mothers with breastfeeding and latching.

Of course, there are lots of reasons why parents hire a newborn specialist.

Sometimes, parents just need some extra help especially when it is their first baby.

Also, a newborn specialist is required when one of the parents cannot take care of the baby because of some reasons.

Moreover, these specialists can help women who have postpartum depression.

If you want to enroll in this career, you need to complete an accredited program and obtain a certification as well as CPR certification.

Just keep in mind that you need a certain set of skills to be able to work as a newborn specialist.

The list of skills includes such points as:

• Knowledge of baby basics;
• Housekeeping skills;
• Highly organized;
• Patience and compassion;
• Communication skills.

Being an intimate career, it requires lots of time that you will be obliged to spend one-on-one with parents and babies.

Also, you need to be really patient as you need a good reputation to be able to succeed in this career.

Nanny or Nursery Workers

When it comes to careers that are dealing with babies that are out of the hospital, nannies and nursery workers should be mentioned.

Usually, such specialists are hired by parents themselves and some specific facilities.

If you work as a nanny, you can live the family that hired you so you can take of a baby all the time.

Also, nannies can be hired only for a certain period of a day.

When it comes to nursery workers, usually they take care of babies when parents are at work.

In fact, both these career options require certain skills related to the ability to take care of a baby.

To get a job, in most cases, you should only have some experience and complete a background check.

Nevertheless, some parents and agencies give preference to those workers who have some training or a degree as well as CPR certification and medical experience.

You should know that usually, such specialists work with children of various ages.

It means that if you are good at your work and have good relations with the family you work at, you can work with the same child or children for many years.

It’s considered to be one of the best careers for those looking for jobs with babies.

How to Get a Job Working with Babies?

As you understand, there are lots of various career options for those who are looking for jobs with babies.

Those careers, related to the medical sphere, are usually the most rewarding and you don’t need to spend ages for your training.

In fact, rather often, it’s enough to get some minimal training, to get a career related to babies in the medical sphere.

If you aren’t interested in a medical career, you should know that there are lots of other options.

All of them are really important for both mothers and babies.

Even volunteering options are really important and can be beneficial for babies and parents.

We really hope that this article was helpful to you.

All these careers are absolutely rewarding and most of them can provide you with an excellent salary.

Usually, hospitals require some qualified and experienced specialists for these positions.

Of course, it can be really hard and challenging to work with babies but if you are passionate about it, any of these careers will be a great choice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of nurse takes care of newborn babies?

Neonatal nurses take care of newborn babies, healthy or in ICU, and are often registered nurses with training or certification in the neonatal area.

Duties include basic care of newborn babies, assisting doctors in the treatment of those babies, as well as communicating with parents.

Can you get paid to hold babies?

You can get paid to hold a baby by becoming a professional cuddler.

There are companies that offer this service, and you could get a job with them or start your own business.

Many hospitals want volunteer coddlers, but these are not paid positions.

It is important to find out whether the job is paid or on a voluntary basis.

How do I become a baby cuddler?

Most baby coddlers start as volunteers with a hospital.

To do this, you must fill out an application to be a volunteer, and how this works out can vary among hospitals.

There is training involved and you must have all your shots.

If you want to become a professional, you must get certified by the company hiring you.

What does a baby cuddler do?

A baby cuddler holds a baby and the work is essential to the health of the baby.

Babies generally are in trauma after coming out of their mother’s body and need a lot of touching to be soothed.

When the parent cannot be there, a cuddler can help the baby feel safe and less traumatized.

The skin-on-skin contact, hearing your heartbeat give the baby a secure feeling.

What qualifications do I need to work with babies?

Hospitals that take on volunteer baby coddlers have a training program those wishing to volunteer must go through.

You must undergo a background check and be up to date on all shots.

You usually must also commit to a certain amount of time and have the time available to do the cuddling you are scheduled to do.

Do hospitals need baby cuddlers?

Hospitals always need baby coddlers for a variety of reasons.

There are times when a parent cannot be there with the baby, and cuddling will be needed.

Hospitals always need volunteers and usually have a list of the kinds of volunteers they need either at the hospital or online.

Cuddlers at hospitals are normally volunteer positions.

What kind of nurse takes care of babies in the nursery?

Neonatal nurses take care of babies, and they are also called nursery nurses.

Babies need a lot of care when they are born, and they are moved to a nursery soon after they are born if they do not go home with their mother almost immediately.

There are well-baby nurseries that most hospitals have for those that do not need special care.