Why I became an NCS

My Personal Story

(TW: Birth trauma/Infant loss)

I was born by emergency c-section 13 weeks too early, along with a twin brother—at 1 pound and a few ounces. Though we were both extremely fragile, my brother had more complications and unfortunately did not make it past a few weeks. 

This was the first birth story I’d ever heard, and would hear again and again from the perspective of my grandparents, aunts, and of course, my mother. 

In my sophomore year of high school, I decided I was going to be a neonatologist so I could help other NICU families like mine. Yet, after one health science class, I decided medicine was not the path for me. 

The following year I took the class where you get to take a pretend baby home—for the second time. The fact that I was excited to wake up with the “baby” in the middle of the night, should’ve been a clear sign that I was going to end up where I am now. 

I then took a teaching internship, working with kindergarteners the first semester and third graders the second. I really loved the littles, but I also learned I probably didn’t want to be a public school teacher either. Fast forward a few years later, around 18 or 19 I was like most of us at that age (or let’s be honest..at several points in our lives). Trying to figure out where I was meant to be or what my calling was. I always knew that I wanted my career to have a sense of purpose—I just didn’t know what. 

After a long week of monotonous department store work, I met with a cousin for lunch. She noticed me smiling at a baby at the table across us, and the baby intently peeking back. My cousin said, “Lauren, you’re like a magnet for kids. Why don’t you work with them?” That question was a huge lightbulb moment and the beginning of my child-focused career.

The Journey Begins

In 2019, after a few child development semesters at City College I started working as a Montessori daycare teacher. It was an incredible learning experience, and I loved getting to know so many unique parents and children. I was constantly getting this gut feeling, or bursts of excitement that translated into “this is where you belong”. Though this was the case for a while, after years of juggling several children at a time, I started to wish I could pour more directly into each family. 

This led me becoming a private provider in early 2023. I found an incredible family with two sweet boys and started gaining my footing as a nanny. I loved the flexibility to plan our day and give personalized attention to each child’s needs. 

During this time, I decided to continue my education and came across the term Newborn Care Specialist. I had no idea what it was at the time, but after learning more I took the certification course, and my excitement grew. Before I knew it, when I wasn’t with my regular nanny family I was getting all the experience I could in newborn positions.

What The Future Holds

I plan to continue working with families as an NCS and soon-to-be postpartum doula. NCS work has shown me how new parents are equally as in need of care as their babies, and I am considering adding postpartum cooking and recovery support to my services. I am especially interested in learning to support preemie and NICU families who face unique challenges like my own family did.

Bridging the gap in an area where so many parents go unheard is why I do this. We shower pregnant people with love and items, and then when the baby is here we expect them to bounce back and get back to work. I hope to serve as a reminder that the birth and postpartum experience is sacred and deserves love, compassion, time to adjust, and well-intentioned guidance. 

Rethinking your Baby Registry: Postpartum Support

Picture this: You’re holding your sweet new baby, surrounded by piles of baby gear, onesies, and gadgets you’re not sure how to assemble. And yet, all you really need in that moment is someone to hand you a snack, reassure you that you’re doing a great job, and maybe explain why your baby suddenly decided that sleep is optional. 

The truth is, while all the cute stuff on your registry looks great in the photos, what parents really need in those first weeks is support. In this post we’ll show you how to rethink your registry; where it’s less about toys and more about taking care of you.

Why you should put postpartum support on your registry 

The reality of the postpartum period is that it’s just as much about your recovery and adjustment as it is about caring for your baby. 

Baby gadgets and toys can feel like a necessity, but most of them won’t even get used in the first few months. Newborns don’t need much beyond food, comfort, and sleep (and in all honesty, that last one is debatable).

What parents need is help—someone to hold the baby so they can rest, walk them through a feeding challenge, or simply remind them that they’re not alone. 

What postpartum support looks like

-Lactation Counseling: Help with breastfeeding, pumping, or combination feeding; ensuring your baby is getting the nutrition they need and you feel confident in your feeding choices. 

-Newborn Care Specialist: Hands-on-support with baby, experts in sleep routines, soothing techniques, and general baby care. 

-Postpartum Doula: Supporting household tasks, emotional well-being, postpartum healing, and baby care. 

-Mental Health Support: Access to counselors or therapists specializing in postpartum well being. 

-Meal Delivery/Meal Train: Have nutritious meals delivered, or ask friends and family to prepare a few meals so you can focus on your recovery. 

Making it Happen 

Adding support to your registry is simpler than you might think. Many services now offer gift cards, cash funds, or packages that can be included in registries like Babylist and BeHerVillage. Here are some tips for making the case to friends and family: 

Explain the benefits: Share how postpartum support will help your family thrive so they understand why it’s important. 

Make it specific: Include clear options like “Newborn Care Specialist Package” or “Meal Deliveries”on your registry. 

Combine gifts: Suggest group gifting for larger services, so multiple loved ones can pitch in together.

How to add cash funds on Babylist

Add my newborn care services to your baby registry through BeHerVillage!