Baby nurse: Despite their misleading title, baby nurses usually do not have any formal medical training, though many agencies require that they take a CPR and infant first-aid course, and many of them wear pastel or teddy-bear-motif scrubs to look the part. Think of them as live-in babysitters for teeny-tiny children. Unlike doulas, who are hired to take care of the mom, baby nurses focus exclusively on the tot. They’ll talk you through scary moments like the first nail-clipping and first bath, and—most important—they’ll get up in the middle of the night to help with feedings, or even give a bottle of formula or breast milk at 3am so you can get a few consecutive hours of sleep. A personal reference through a friend is the ideal way to make contact. If you’re expecting twins or have a preemie with special needs, look for a baby nurse with the appropriate experience.

The details: A sleep-in baby nurse is going to run you $185–$250 a day, plus referral fees if you use an agency, and you must have a guest bed, cot or comfortable pull-out sofa for her. You will also be expected to provide her meals while she’s living with you. Since the good ones are apt to be steadily employed in other people’s homes, it may be difficult to interview them in person, but you should be able to get a phone call in. Remember, though, that unless you know the exact date you’ll be delivering, there’s no guarantee that the baby nurse you want will be available the day your miracle decides to make her debut. Local agencies include Absolute Best Care (212-481-5705, absolutebestcare.com), Fox Agency (212-753-2686), Frances Stewart (212-439-9222, francesstewartagency.com) and Avalon Registry (212-245-0250).