How much does a maternity nurse cost?
A maternity nurse is a newborn specialist who lives in for the first weeks after birth, establishing feeding and sleep routines and letting parents rest. They're priced per 24 hours rather than hourly, and usually booked well before the due date.
Rates last refreshed 10 August 2026
London vs UK rates
| Type | London | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity nurse | £220 to £400/24hrs | N/A |
| Overnight nanny | £180 to £350/night | N/A |
| Live-in nanny | £500 to £900/wk | N/A |
24-hour live-in rates
The standard arrangement is a live-in 24-hour engagement with one day off a week, where the maternity nurse handles nights and supports feeding and routine through the day. London rates sit above the national average and rise for highly experienced specialists. Across London that works out at about £220 to £400/24hrs.
Night-only support
If you only need the nights covered, a night nanny is the cheaper route, priced per night, usually covering roughly 10 to 12 hours, with the family taking over during the day. Across London that works out at about £180 to £350/night.
Twins and multiples
Expect a meaningful premium for twins or triplets, commonly a fixed uplift on the daily rate. Book earlier than you would for a single baby, as the pool of maternity nurses experienced with multiples is smaller.
How long families book for
Two to six weeks is typical, with some families booking twelve weeks to get through sleep training. Many maternity nurses ask for a deposit at booking and payment weekly in advance, agree cancellation terms up front, since due dates move.
Common questions
How much does a maternity nurse cost per day?
Maternity nurses are priced per 24 hours, with London rates above the UK average and experienced specialists at the top of the range. Twins usually carry an additional daily premium.
Is a night nanny cheaper than a maternity nurse?
Yes. A night nanny covers roughly 10 to 12 hours overnight and is priced per night, so it costs less than round-the-clock live-in support.
How long should I book a maternity nurse for?
Two to six weeks is the most common booking, extending to twelve weeks where families want established sleep routines before returning to work.
When should I book?
As early as you comfortably can, good maternity nurses are frequently booked several months ahead, and availability tightens around popular due-date months.
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Maternity nurse costs by London borough
Sources & methodology
Figures are midpoints of current advertised rates for each type of childcare, compiled from published UK childcare rate surveys and advertised London rates, then grouped by borough, zone or London-wide depending on how granular the underlying data is. Each figure is labelled with the level it comes from, so nothing here implies more precision than the data supports. Rates exclude any agency fees, KidSitter charges no booking fee or commission. Last refreshed 10 August 2026.