French Nannies?

Question

I was watching that one show, 'Sicko' by Micheal Moore, and I found it hard to believe that they would send a nanny to you if you are a new mother. Please comfirm this for me, thank you.

Answer 1

In France, first of all, you stay in the hospital 5 days for a normal birth. Any tiny problem and the doctor orders more! I spent 7 for my first two, one slightly premature with jaundice and the other lost too much weight and wasn't feeding well. Neither would merit much attention back in the States!

So French moms go home having  been shown how to feed, bathe and take care of their little ones in the first few days. They also confirm the baby is in good health.

There are no home visitors but there are free clinics you can visit as often as you want.  Once I called one and the nurse heard how upset I was over my bad-feeder and stopped by the apartment on her way home from work. This was exceptional, I might add but you can see from that example, they were very caring and helpful in general.

I seriously doubt I would have successfully breastfed my first if I had had him back home in the U.S. The level of care was really exceptional and I really credit them with our success. During the birth, they never pressured me to have an epidural (I did have one for the second but the other two were drug-free).

Daycares are partially substized. You actually get a place IF you have f/t work, not the other way around. You can also use p/t daycares even if you don't work. If you opt to have a nanny in your home, that is also partially reimbursed through taxes. There is yet another option, to have the child go to the nanny's home. There can be other children but this is a good third option to complete private care and daycare. This in-home care is inspected and the carer is licensed. You also get to interview and choose. It's not on a lottery system.

They also have all these different maternity leave options but that's not relevant to your question. Let me just say, I feel like I really am lucky to be a mom here in France!

Answer 2

They don't send you a nanny when you are a new mother in France. Maybe you mix up this info with the UK.

In the UK, they send you someone (I don't remember how the lady is called) everyday the first week, then once a week after that and then less often when you are confident. She is just there to answer your questions, help you with brestfeeding / bottlefeeding, introduction of solid food,etc. She does not stay with you all day or night. She just stays like an hour per day.

I found it very reassuring when you are an unexperimented new mother without any family or friends to give you advices.

Answer 3

They don't send a nanny, there's public creches and if you can't put your little darling in one you can ask for state help to pay for a nanny. I think you are allowed that help until the child's sixth birthday.