✨ The NYC “Baby Nurse”: A Spreading Epidemic of Glamorized Human Trafficking ✨
Over the past few years, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of connecting with almost 2,000 families seeking Overnight or 24/7 Newborn Care. Being primarily Dallas based with a couple of other Texas cities and one office in the Midwest, each of our markets have well defined cultures for hiring help. Much different cultures than that of a very special place, for many-a-thing ….. NEW YORK CITY!
Now, don’t come for me for what I’m about to say. If you feel uncomfortable, it is not because I’m wrong or I have some crazy opinion that doesn’t settle in with the facts of real life. There is merit to it and you should feel uncomfortable with the idea of widespread domestic abuse.
New York has a huge issue with domestic workers being underpaid. There are families, by way of agencies and “domestic connectors” that are bringing women in from other countries to work in New York 24-hours per day, in live in position with Newborns for anywhere from $150-400/day.
This used to be rare in Dallas, and other markets that we’d receive these requests. With COVID and many people relocating from the coasts, we are seeing this request more and more.
“Well, my friend in the City only pays $350/day for someone 24-hours, so I don’t understand why it would be the same cost for overnight only here, with a lower cost of living”.
“I found someone who will fly from NYC for $400/day and that’s great pay for them. They don’t even have to pay rent while they’re here! I have employees at my actual company that would kill for that kind of salary per day”
“It just doesn’t make sense to me to have to pay someone hourly to be around all the time. It makes no sense. They don’t pay for food, or rent, or anything - they’re living with me and the baby just sleeps all the time”.
Real quotes that have unfortunately come from peoples mouths.
Having a Newborn is Hard. That’s Why People Hire Help.
Let’s go through some facts to put real life in perspective
$350/day = $2,450 per week x 52 = $127,000/year
Many people justify abusing people with this math
$350/day is $14.58 per hour.
The average work year (40 hours) is 2,080 hours
$14.58 = $30,333 per year if working 2,080 hours
During the periods of work, your caregiver is literally giving up their life for your family. They don’t leave.
So really these caregivers should only be working 4-6 months per year. Really 3-4 months for 2,000-3,000 hours.
Even if they work half of the year LITERALLY 24/7, they are making $60,000 for working 4,000 hours which is the equivalent of 80 hour work weeks 52 weeks per year.
All of this to say, they’d still be living in poverty in NYC, especially if they have families.
Additional Considerations:
Newborns don’t sleep more than 1-3 hours at a time.
Night Shift workers are at risk for a host of medical conditions that could shave years off their lives, simply by working night shift. This isn’t factoring in 24/7 work.
They still have bills to pay, as they usually have a residence SOMEWHERE when they aren’t working.
Having to work 24/7 just to cover your basic necessities to live is INSANE. To put another human in that position is also insane.
The TLDR here, is please pay a living, industry wage to your caregivers. If it’s through a company, or independent, etc. Pay a living Wage. If the company is supporting abuse of domestic workers.. look elsewhere.
And I’m not saying that everyone should be paying $50/hr or $100/hr, but the normal rate range nationwide falls between $25-55/hr. $55/hr is higher COL areas and super experienced caregivers. In New York City, your private service provider should be making no less than $30/hr caring for your newborn overnight or around the clock. And even if you choose to hire someone under the table, with no status, hear from another country. PAY THEM A MARKET RATE, don’t abuse someone in a vulnerable position whom is simply trying to provide for their family.
Harmony Baby Concierge is a full service Newborn Care + Postpartum Support Agency based in Dallas, Austin and Houston, Texas.. We have a well-rounded team of Newborn Care Specialists, Night Nurses, Postpartum Doulas, Newborn Night Nannies and Baby Nurses. We provide lactation support, newborn care, night nursing, gentle sleep training and parent education to families of newborns. We serve all families with love, warmth and care. Serving: Dallas, Austin, Houston, Highland Park, University Park, Kessler Park, Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Plano, Frisco, Celina, Prosper, Fort Worth, Southlake, Westlake, Irving, Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Houston, Manvel, Galveston, West University, Austin, Barton Creek, Round Rock, Houston, Denver, New York City, Greenwich CT, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Englewood Colorado, Cherry Hills Village CO, and Surrounding Areas.