Your maternity leave ends in three weeks. The baby is four months old, she only naps on your chest, and three nanny profiles have just landed on your phone. Each one looks good on paper. So how do you actually decide?
Here's the thing. Choosing a nanny for an infant is different from hiring help for an older child. A baby can't tell you how her day went. So you need to know exactly what to look for, and exactly what to ask.
This guide walks you through both. You'll see the signs that separate a good infant nanny from a great one, and the questions that reveal how she'll care for your baby.
How to choose an in-home infant caregiver: the short answer
To choose an in-home infant caregiver, focus on three things:
- Recent, hands-on experience with babies, ideally of a similar age to yours.
- How she talks about everyday baby care, which scenario-based interview questions bring out quickly.
- Verification you can trust, so you know exactly who is coming into your home.
Use the interview to hear how she'd handle real situations, then keep a close eye on how things go once she starts.
Why choosing a nanny for an infant is different
Caring for a baby under one is a specific skill. An infant can't tell you she's hungry, overtired, or uncomfortable. Her caregiver has to read small cues, like a certain cry, a turned head, or a fist in the mouth, and respond to them all day.
Infants also need a very predictable routine. Feeds, naps and changes come around every few hours, and small slips add up quickly. That's why a nanny who was wonderful with a five-year-old isn't automatically the right fit for a four-month-old.
If you're still figuring out the overall hiring process, our complete nanny hiring guide covers the steps from start to finish. This post zooms in on the infant stage.
And if your baby hasn't arrived yet, a postpartum nanny usually covers the first few newborn weeks, before you move on to regular infant care.
Signs of a great infant nanny
Some of these come through in the interview. Others you'll pick up once she starts at home, while you're still around. Keep an eye out for them.
- She washes her hands before touching the baby. It's a small habit, but it tells you a lot about how she thinks about hygiene.
- She supports the head and neck without being reminded. Confident, gentle handling is one of the clearest signs of real infant experience.
- She talks to the baby, not just about her. Great infant nannies narrate what they're doing, sing, and make eye contact. That constant chatter matters for early development.
- She stays calm when the baby cries. Look for someone who tries different things patiently instead of getting flustered or handing the baby straight back to you.
- She asks you questions. A great nanny wants to know your baby's feeding times, nap cues, and what usually soothes her. Curiosity is a very good sign.
- Her answers are specific. "I burp the baby halfway through the feed and again at the end" is far more reassuring than "I know how to take care of babies."
- She respects your way of doing things. She may have her own methods, but she's happy to follow your routine and your choices.
Questions to ask an infant nanny
With GoNanny, the basics like verification and matching experience are already checked before you see a profile. So use your interview for the questions only you can judge, the ones that show how she'd care for your baby. Here they are, grouped by what they help you learn.
About her experience with babies: Tell me about the youngest baby you've cared for. What did a typical day look like? How did you know when that baby was hungry, tired, or just bored? Why did you leave your last family?
About day-to-day infant care: Walk me through how you would bathe a baby this age. How do you prepare and store expressed breast milk or formula? The baby feels warm and isn't feeding well — what do you do, and who do you call first? What do you usually do while the baby naps?
About working with your family: If you'd do something differently from how we do it, how would you handle that? When would you call or message me during the day? What kind of play or tummy time would you do with a baby this age?
Listen for detail and honesty. A good answer sounds like someone who has actually done it many times. And it's completely fine if she says "I'd check with you first." That's often the right answer.
How to get the most out of your interview
Whether you meet her face to face or over video, a little preparation helps:
- Keep your baby nearby. If your baby is awake, notice whether the nanny smiles, talks to the baby, or seems at ease.
- Ask her to walk you through a routine. A feed, a bath or a nap. Real experience shows in the small details.
- Involve your partner or whoever shares the care. Two sets of ears catch more, and you'll both be working with her.
- Take short notes after each conversation. After two or three interviews, the answers start to blur together.
What to watch for once she starts
Even the best interview can't show you everything. Her first few days with your baby tell you the rest, so try to be at home or close by if you can.
- Notice how your baby responds. Babies settle faster with some people than others, and that's worth paying attention to.
- See how she follows the routine. The feeding and nap times you agreed on should hold steady from day one.
- Ask for a quick recap each evening. A great nanny can tell you how much the baby fed, how long she slept, and anything unusual she noticed.
Red flags to watch for
Some warning signs are easy to miss when you're tired and keen to find someone. If any of these come up, raise them with your Relationship Manager early:
- Vague or rehearsed answers about baby care.
- Rough, rushed or awkward handling of the baby.
- Spending a lot of time on her phone while caring for the baby.
- Skipping handwashing or sterilising.
- Brushing aside your routine or your instructions.
For more on verification and general warning signs, our guide on finding a verified nanny in Bangalore covers them in detail.
How GoNanny helps you choose the right infant caregiver
Finding the right person on your own takes time most new parents simply don't have. With GoNanny, our team handles the search for you, and you step in only for the final choice. Here's how the hiring process works for an infant:
- We understand your baby's needs first: a detailed call covers your timings, preferred language, your baby's diet and routine, and your household rules.
- We shortlist for you: our team picks verified nannies from our pool who match those requirements, and shares their profiles within 48 hours.
- We set up the interviews: meet your shortlisted nannies in person or on a video call, scheduled around your day.
- We stay with you after she joins: a dedicated Relationship Manager handles your feedback. If things don't work out, she arranges a replacement within the timeline of your plan.
Every nanny is Aadhaar-authenticated and background-checked before she reaches your shortlist. The same process applies whether you need a day care nanny for your working hours or a live-in nanny in Bangalore for round-the-clock support.
Trust what you see
Choosing an in-home infant caregiver is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your baby's first year. The right questions help you choose well, and the first week confirms it: gentle hands, a calm voice, and a baby who settles.
Share your baby's routine with GoNanny in a free consultation, and our team will line up verified nannies who genuinely fit your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualities make a good nanny for a baby?
A good infant nanny is calm, patient and observant. She handles a baby confidently, follows your routine and keeps things clean. She also tells you about small changes, like a missed feed or an unusual rash, without being asked.
Is a nanny who has cared for older children right for my baby?
Not always. Looking after a toddler or school-age child is very different from caring for a baby who can't yet tell you what she needs. For an infant, choose someone who has recently and regularly cared for babies of a similar age.
How many nannies should I interview before choosing one?
Most families meet two or three shortlisted candidates. Since GoNanny's team has already matched each profile to your requirements, you can spend your interviews on fit and comfort rather than basic screening.
Does GoNanny screen nannies before I interview them?
Yes. Once GoNanny understands what your family needs, the team shortlists verified profiles that match it, so you only meet candidates who already fit your brief. Profiles are usually shared within 48 hours.
Can I meet the nanny in person before hiring through GoNanny?
Yes. GoNanny's Ops team schedules interviews with your shortlisted nannies, either in person or on a video call, at a time that suits you.
How do I know if my nanny is taking good care of my baby?
Your baby seems settled around her, feeds and naps follow the routine you agreed, and she shares clear daily updates. Most parents also notice that she mentions small details about the baby's day without being asked.
Ready to find the right caregiver for your infant? GoNanny connects Bangalore families with background-verified nannies experienced with babies under one. Get in touch for a free consultation.