There are parents who hire help for the care of their newborn babies, especially during night hours to rest for a few hours. These professionals are known as salus and many wonder what a salus is and what services it offers. Is a salus the same as a babysitter? Why has this figure reached such a boom in recent years? What role does salus play in postpartum? We solve all doubts!
What does a salus offer?
From Mysalus, they explain that SALUS is a degree awarded by the nursing school Salus Infirmorum that enables them to work with the newborn.
"The salus professionally replace the old nurses - explains Raquel Herraiz, pediatric nurse and Cco-director of MySalus - Over time, the nurses dispersed and worked in private homes"
"As Salus infirmorum" graduates "there are not many - continues to tell us - the companies that offer this type of services, we choose nurses or nursing assistants with demonstrable experience in hospital maternity units"
But not all salus are nurses or auxiliaries. Paloma, Salus of the SalusBebés company tells us that it is common to also find breeders, especially among the professionals who have been working for more years, and in Mysalus they tell me that in addition to childcare workers they have also incorporated into their team maestras of early childhood education.
The main function of a salus is that of help the mother with the baby in the family home, especially during the first weeks after giving birth. Other of its functions are:
Help parents in basic care and hygiene of the baby: how and when to bathe you, belly button care or any other aspect related to daily grooming
Help parents with the baby feeding, whether the mother's doubts regarding breastfeeding may be resolved, such as helping to give her the bottle or clarifying any issue in this regard if she has opted for artificial feeding
Promote rest and recovery of the mother taking care of the baby during the night
Care related to baby's health: constipation, massage, gas, colic and general physical assessment of your condition
Help mother psychologically, reinforcing your confidence and security regarding the care of your child, especially during the most immediate postpartum, when everything seems chaotic and more doubts and insecurities arise.
Although to a lesser extent, they also look after older children, helping parents with their food, care or parenting
Any mother can hire the services of a salus, although it is usually the first ones who most resort to them; either because of their inexperience or because of the need to feel accompanied and clothed during postpartum"In our case, the main protagonist is the mother. If the mother is well, the baby will be fine. Emotional and physical support and a few hours of rest are essential for a good recovery after childbirth" - they tell us from Mysalus ...
But the salus are also of great help to mothers who have given birth by caesarean section, who have had a multiple birth, a premature baby, and even for others who are still experienced, need to have support to be able to take care of their others sons.
Although some mothers do not feel safe delegating the care of your newborn to another person, the women who have resorted to the services of a salus affirm that they are of great help; not only for his qualification but for his extensive experience accompanying other mothers in these special moments.
Therefore, the salus consider their Accompanying role in the most immediate postpartum is essential to help the mother avoid the dreaded postpartum depression by being accompanied, advised and trusted.
What rates does a salus have?
The price of a salus depends on many factors. From the number of babies to look after (it is not the same to take care of a baby as twins or twins), until the time of hiring.
Companies dedicated to it offer various alternatives that adapt to the needs of all families and that range from hiring a salus for hours or night (the most demanded service), up to whole days, weeks or even months.
The average rate of the salus for four hours of work is around 60 euros if we talk about a single baby, although the most requested is usually the night shift, with an average price of between 90/100 euros.Companies like Mysalus for example, offer parents a two night rest pack for 200 euros. But if you have twins and want a salus to take care of them during the night, then the rate will amount to 110/120 euros in companies like Babysalus.
If you want to hire a salus you should know ...
If you want to hire the services of a salus we recommend that you gather all opinions and information that you can about companies dedicated to it since, as with other professions, also in this field you can find low qualified personnel who sell their services as salus.
Raquel Herráiz, from Mysalus, advises us:
"It is important that parents know that the professionals who are going to take care of their baby are trained and updated and have a certificate free of crimes against minors as well as civil liability insurance."
"In addition, the salus should always be updated on breastfeeding, first aid and novelties in the care of newborns according to the recommendations of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics"
For all this, A salus is not the same as a babysitter although, for the type of functions that both perform there are those who can confuse them. The main and most important difference is that Salus is a qualified professional and expert in childcare, whose knowledge must always adapt to the recommendations of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.
If you are pregnant and want to resort to a salus for the first days at home with your baby, we advise you not to leave it for that moment, but to interview and know in advance the person who will take care of your child.
It is essential that there is a trust with the salus from the first moment, so that you take advantage of their help to learn, rest and recover after childbirth"We also advise on the most recommended crib clothes for the arrival of the baby, as well as everything the mother will need to prepare the basket" - tells Paloma, SalusBebés.
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