How to Become a Certified Newborn Care Specialist in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Are you passionate about working with newborns and wondering how to turn that love into a rewarding, high-paying career? Becoming a Certified Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) could be your perfect path — and the good news is, you don’t need a medical degree to get started.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What a newborn care specialist is
The difference between online and in-person newborn care training
How to get certified in 2025
What you can expect to earn
How to enroll in the best newborn care specialist certification online

Let’s dive in.

At ICT Infant Care Training Academy, we are passionate about quality infant care and the support of new parents. We began this program nearly 20 years ago because of the benefits that quality newborn care can have — for families, for babies and for the professionals who provide it. Our students aren’t just getting certified — they’re starting careers they love, building financial freedom, and making a difference as trusted experts in a growing field. If you’re passionate about babies, there’s a place for you here.

👶 What Is a Newborn Care Specialist?

A newborn care specialist (often called an NCS or “baby nurse”) is a trained professional who specializes in caring for newborns during their first few weeks or months of life. These specialists help families with feeding, sleep routines, soothing techniques, diapering, and overall newborn care — especially overnight.

NCS professionals are different from nannies or babysitters. They are certified in specialized newborn care training and often work short-term jobs helping new parents during the most delicate period of adjustment.

How Do You Become a Certified Newborn Care Specialist?

To become a newborn care specialist, the most important step is completing a recognized training program that leads to certification.

There are two main options:

Newborn Care Specialist Certification Online
In-Person Newborn Care Training (usually in major cities like NYC)

At ICT Infant Care Training Academy, we’ve trained thousands of students over the past 20 years through both formats.

Watch this quick video to learn how to become a Certified Newborn Care Specialist, what training involves, and how to get started — online or in-person.

Online Newborn Care Specialist Training (Flexible & Self-Paced)

The online program at ICT is:

Self-paced (complete in as little as a few days or over a month)
Packed with real-world scenarios and activities
Includes hands-on materials shipped to your door
Covers everything from newborn development to infant CPR, feeding, sleep, and more

After completing the online newborn care specialist program, you receive a Newborn Care Specialist Certification, plus access to career resources and job listings.

This option is ideal for students across the U.S. who want flexibility and high-quality, affordable training from home.

➡️ Learn more about our Online NCS Training here

“My life and career changed once I became trained as a Newborn Care Specialist, I became more confident in my skills and in my ability to support families during this precious time. ICT's course helped me land better jobs and enjoy a career I really love!”– Cristina, ICT Graduate

In-Person NCS Training in NYC

Prefer a live training experience? ICT also offers an In-Person Newborn Care Specialist course in New York City.

You’ll receive:

Live instruction with expert trainers
Hands-on learning and practice sessions
Networking lunch and student giveaways
Direct access to job tips and resources

Spots are limited and fill up fast. If you’re local or willing to travel, this is an amazing way to get certified while connecting with other aspiring newborn care pros.

➡️ Join the NYC Waitlist or View the Next Class Date

How Much Do Newborn Care Specialists Make?

This career is not only meaningful — it’s profitable.

Certified newborn care specialists can earn:

$35–$55+ per hour
Or $350–$700+ per day

Some work with agencies, others build their own client base or newborn care business. Many of our students report a dramatic increase in their income and confidence after certification.