10 Types of Nurses that Work With Babies

Of the many types of nurses that work with babies, which specialty is the right fit for you? If you love caring for tiny patients, infant care could be a great career path with options for growth. Nurses working in these specialties provide direct interventions, support families, prevent disease, and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members.

In the United States, approximately 3.6 million children are born annually. About 8.6% are born with low birthweight, and 10.4% are born prematurely. These babies and their families rely on specialized care from nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There’s more than one way to be involved in infant care. Check out our list of 10 types of nurses that work with babies below.

Nursing Professionals that Work With Babies

Wondering how to become a nurse that works with babies? To become an RN, you’ll need to complete nursing school and obtain licensure in your state. Depending on where you plan to start your career, you may be able to enter a new grad residency in an infant care setting. If this isn’t an option, you might gain experience in adult nursing before pursuing infant care. Check out some nurse jobs that work with babies below.

1. NICU Nurse

Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care for infants who need the highest level of monitoring and attention. Babies in the NICU may have jaundice, issues with breathing, heart problems, anemia, gestational disorders, and others. Nurses here rely on skills and tools like the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale to keep newborn patients comfortable.

Here are some essential NICU skills:

• Advanced neonatal assessment and monitoring
• Managing ventilators and other life support devices
• Administering specialized medications and nutrition
• Family education and emotional support

Applying for roles in the NICU? Learn about writing a NICU nurse resume and NICU nurse cover letter.

2. PICU Nurse

Nurses in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) care for critically ill children ranging from infants to adolescents. Children in the PICU may be recovering from major surgery, dealing with severe infections, experiencing respiratory failure, or facing traumatic injuries.

Learn more about key PICU skills:

• Advanced pediatric assessment and monitoring
• Administering specialized medications and fluid therapy
• Rapid recognition of changes in condition and emergency response
• Family education, emotional support, and care coordination

Applying for roles in the PICU? Learn about writing an ICU nurse resume and an ICU nurse cover letter.

3. Postpartum and Mother-Baby Nurse

What kind of nurses work with maternity patients or babies? A postpartum nurse (also called a mother-baby nurse) cares for mothers and their newborns immediately after delivery. They monitor vital signs, assist with breastfeeding, provide education on newborn care, and support recovery from childbirth.

Here are some of the top postpartum/mother-baby skills:

• Newborn assessment and vital sign monitoring
• Lactation support and breastfeeding education
• Recognising potential postpartum complications
• Teaching about infant care, safety, and maternal health

Use our postpartum nurse resume and postpartum nurse cover letter to help you on your next job application.

Find mother-baby nurse jobs on IntelyCare.

4. Labor and Delivery Nurse

Nurses in labor and delivery (L&D) support mothers through the entire childbirth process, from early labor to delivery and immediate postpartum care. They monitor maternal and fetal health, assist with pain management, and provide guidance and emotional support throughout birth.

Learn more about essential labor and delivery skills:

• Continuous fetal monitoring and interpretation
• Labor support, coaching, and pain management techniques
• Assisting with vaginal and cesarean deliveries
• Maternal postpartum assessment and newborn stabilization

Applying for L&D roles? Use our labor and delivery nurse resume and labor and delivery nurse cover letter to help you on your job application.

Find labor and delivery nurse jobs on IntelyCare.

5. Certified Lactation Nurse

Certified lactation nurses specialize in supporting breastfeeding mothers and their infants. They help new parents with latch techniques, milk production issues, and infant feeding challenges while providing education and emotional support.

Here are some key lactation nurse skills:

• Assessing breastfeeding techniques and infant feeding cues
• Supporting milk supply and troubleshooting lactation issues
• Educating parents on pumping, storage, and feeding schedules
• Collaborating with pediatricians, OBGYNs, and NICU staff

6. Pediatric Nurses

A nurse that works with babies, children, and adolescents is known as a pediatric nurse. These clinicians support patients and their families in a variety of settings. They may work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and specialty practices, adapting their care to each child’s developmental stage.

Check out some essential pediatric nursing skills:

• Age-appropriate assessments and interventions
• Administering medications, vaccines, and treatments for children
• Educating parents on childhood wellness, safety, and disease management
• Providing emotional support to children and families during illness or hospitalization

Applying for pediatric roles? Use our pediatric nurse resume and pediatric nurse cover letter guides.

Check out pediatric nurse jobs with IntelyCare.

7. Doula

Doulas provide non-medical support to mothers before, during, and after labor. Although doulas aren’t technically registered nurses, they focus on emotional support, comfort measures, and advocacy, helping families navigate the birth experience. While they may provide initial support for newborns, their focus is primarily on laboring mothers.

Here are some important doula skills:

• Educating parents on birth options and postpartum care
• Relaxation techniques, breathing, and positioning
• Advocating for the birthing person’s preferences with medical staff
• Supporting bonding and breastfeeding in the immediate postpartum period

Our doula resume and doula cover letter can be useful guides when you’re ready to apply to jobs.

Advanced Practice Types of Nurses that Work With Babies

APRNs have additional skills and training that allow them to work under an expanded scope of practice. These providers can perform more procedures, prescribe and diagnose patient issues, and work independently in some states.

8. Certified Nurse Midwife

If you’re wondering, What type of nurse can deliver babies?, a certified nurse midwife (CNM) is your answer. Nurse midwives support women through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. They support natural birth when possible while recognizing when interventions are needed for safety.

Here are some important nurse midwife skills:

• Conducting prenatal exams and monitor fetal development
• Managing labor and delivery
• Providing postpartum care for mothers and newborns
• Educating families on childbirth, newborn care, and reproductive health

Use our nurse midwife resume and nurse midwife cover letter to help you on your next job application.

Check out certified nurse midwife (CNM) jobs on IntelyCare.

9. Pediatric NP

Pediatric nurse practitioners deliver advanced holistic care to children from infancy through adolescence. They diagnose and treat illnesses, manage chronic conditions, and focus on preventive health to set kids up for a lifetime of wellness. They may work in outpatient settings, acute care hospitals, or other facilities,

Here are some essential pediatric NP skills:

• Advanced pediatric health assessment
• Diagnosing and managing acute and chronic pediatric conditions
• Prescribing medications and ordering diagnostic tests
• Providing anticipatory guidance on growth, development, and safety

Applying for NP roles? Check out our NP resume and NP cover letter guides.

Find pediatric nurse practitioner jobs on IntelyCare.

10. Neonatal NP

A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is an advanced practice nurse that works with babies, typically in NICU settings. They work with NICU nurses, respiratory therapists, neonatologists, and other team members to support premature infants and their families.

See essential NNP skills:

• Managing ventilators, incubators, and other life-support equipment
• Diagnosing and treating neonatal conditions and complications
• Prescribing medications and specialized nutrition
• Guiding and supporting families through critical care decisions

Training and Certifications for Nurses Who Work With Babies

• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
• Registered Nurse Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
• Registered Nurse Certification in Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN)
• Registered Nurse Certification in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC)
• Care of Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW)
• Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• S.T.A.B.L.E. certification
• Certified breastfeeding counselor
• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

FAQ: Types of Nurses that Work With Babies

How many years of school does it take to be a NICU nurse?

NICU nurses go through the same schooling as nurses in other specialties. It takes at least two to four years to complete a prelicensure nursing program, and there are two types of degree tracks. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes at least two years, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes at least four. Learn more about comparing ADN vs. BSN degrees.

What other roles work with babies in a hospital?

Other teammates who support infants and their families include nursing assistants (CNAs), neonatologists, pediatricians, child-life specialists, respiratory therapists, and many more.

Can LPNs work in labor and delivery?

It depends on the hospital — some only hire RNs, while others use a more interdisciplinary nursing approach. Explore licensed practical nurse (LPN) jobs in your area for more information.

Find Roles in Infant Care

Looking to become one of the types of nurses that work with babies? We can help you find your dream nursing job. Learn about personalized job notifications from IntelyCare that can alert you to openings in your area and specialty.