Any Nanny's out there?

[Amethyst Rose]

I have a friend who found out 3 weeks ago that she's pregnant. I have already agreed to take over her job for her (she's an office manager) while she's away on maternity leave for 3 months, and she has also asked me if, when she goes back to work, I'd be her nanny.
I'm right away excited about doing this, and said yes right away, but she told me to think about it, so I am :). The thing is that I have never looked after a baby before...I've done my share of babysitting, but no one younger than 2 years old.
I have 7 months at least to research and learn about how to look after a baby, but I was wondering if there is anyone here who's done any nannying before, especially with young babies. What can I expect to do? Are there any suggestions on what I should do to prepare myself, or that will make the job easier?

[Yvonne Belisle]

Read parenting books. Being a nanny is being a second mom to a child. You can expect to change a lot of diapers and read stories comforting when sick and you may want ear plugs for when the little one is teething and you are holding and rocking it.

[flar7]

get accredited? in CPR for infants. My mom was a nanny for
several years. Will you be doing this at their house?
Find out what the job entails. Are you going to be the nanny-maid?
Of course some house work is to be expected, kids messes, your
messes, baby laundry, and such. But not the adult stuff.

[Amemphis]

I've babysat for little tiny kids before. (6 months to 4 years old) I have alot of younger cousins and my friend just had a baby. CPR, first aid, and books on parenting help, but alot of it and practical sense. If you're going to be a Nanny more than a babysitter then you need to be very familiar with the househol, emergency numbers, the basic. But also have a schedule for the time you spend with the child. Like at 10 am its bath and then breakfast, noon is playtime, 1 pm is nap time, ect. Educational toys and picture books to help learn colors. You are going to be this child's second mother. Structure is vital for young children.

[PLHH]

Could I suggest you checking out www.amitymama.com ?
It's an attachment parenting website I'm a member of. It advocates baby wearing, instinctive parenting, etc. Basically tells you to follow your gut when caring for a baby. Babies don't cry for NO reason, kwim? Also lots about alternative medicine, a spirituality forum, gentle discipline forums and much more!
I love it over there...learned SO much! VERY informative!

I was a live-out nanny for a 6 and 11 y/o kids.....VERY difficult.....they were military brats (my dh and I were also US Army soldiers....though I'd already gotten out at that time). The hard part is when you really don't agree on something the parent(s) tell you do to. It can get sticky, but it's also VERY rewarding when you see them learn day by day, crawl, talk, then sass ya! LOL

Best of luck, nanny-to-be!