I help tired moms take care of their newborns at night on top of my day job. It's hard but rewarding work.

Table of Contents

• Jessica Hall began working as a night nanny while she was pursuing her training to become an occupational therapist.
• She mentioned to Business Insider that sometimes she had to work night shifts after a full day of work.
• Hall said the job is difficult, but giving parents some time to rest and feel energized was worth all of it.

This essay, based on a conversation, is an as-told-to account with Jessica Hall, a night nanny and occupational therapist from Chicago. It has been revised for length and clarity.

In 2011, I realized pursuing that path wasn't what I had in mind. I discovered occupational therapy.

I began volunteering at a medical clinic back in 2012.

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I began working as a nighttime nanny on a part-time basis.

In 2020, I stumbled upon Let Mommy Sleep, a nighttime childcare service for parents.

Many clients contact us because they need support with their kids at bedtime; perhaps their child is having trouble sleeping through the night, and they're having to go back to work, or they need guidance with sleep training. Many parents seek help at night when they have to return to work.

I needed information on pediatrics and child development for my occupational therapy training because observing children with their families in the evenings helped inform my work during the day. In 2022, I began working as a night nurse with Let Mommy Sleep.

I worked a double shift as a nurse at night, on top of my regular daytime job

I really enjoy being active. I worked at my regular job from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. When I arrived home, I'd have dinner and catch up with friends and family. Then, I'd get two hours of sleep before my shift as a nighttime baby sitter. I did shifts as a nighttime baby sitter two to three times a week, but sometimes it was as much as five times a week.

For the most part, my cases were located about 30 to 60 minutes from my home. My work shifts ran from 10 p.m. to 6 or 7 a.m. I would take care of washing the dishes and doing laundry, ensure the babies were fed, and check in on the parents.

I would go home, catch some rest for two hours, and then head back to work again. In order to make it work, I'd have to be extremely organized with my time. Occasionally, I'd have to decline invitations to fun things to ensure I got enough sleep throughout the week.

As a night nanny, I'd earn an hourly wage of $22 to $26.

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I worked with many mothers who felt they didn't have time to prioritize their own well-being or thought taking care of themselves was irrelevant. It was crucial for me to help them do things that left them feeling good about their day, such as taking a shower, getting out of bed, and being able to hold their baby, or any daily activities they enjoyed before having kids.

It was an honor to watch babies learn to roll over, crawl, or walk. I was even able to get to know them and their unique personalities, day and night.

I worked with one family for a year. They had two new additions to the family, and they already had two other children. Both parents often worked night shifts. Both of the babies were frequently spitting up their formula and crying all night. Some of those nights were extremely long. Their mom would want to pitch in when I suggested she take a nap. She'd have to get up at 5 a.m. to get her other kids ready for school.

Their mother was incredibly thrilled that she could finally catch a few hours of rest.

I found it challenging but ultimately fulfilling. I chose to take a step back this year. From now on, I'm only accepting new cases one at a time.

I recently launched my own entrepreneurial venture.

I've decided to start my own company, Sensory Sitters, to provide assistance to families having kids with special requirements.

In Illinois, finding respite comes with a hefty cost, and there's a lengthy waiting list for assistance from the state.

I exist to provide parents with a much-needed break. Currently, it's just me, but I'm actively planning to grow my business.

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