One of the most important concepts for preemie parents is corrected age (also called adjusted age). This calculation helps set appropriate developmental expectations.

Chronological age = Time since birth
Corrected age = What baby's age would be if born on due date

Example: Baby born at 32 weeks (8 weeks early) who is now 4 months old chronologically is actually 2 months old on a corrected basis.
Developmental milestones should be measured against corrected age, not chronological age. A specialist experienced in preemie care helps parents understand and track this correctly, preventing unnecessary worry about developmental delays that are actually age-appropriate for corrected age.

Parents of Micro-Preemies
Babies born before 28 weeks (extremely premature) face the most significant challenges. Parents of micro-preemies benefit enormously from specialists with extensive preemie experience who understand the unique developmental and feeding needs of these fragile infants.
First-Time Parents of Preemies
New parents with no previous baby experience who also have a premature baby face double the learning curve. Expert guidance makes the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling confident.
Parents Managing Twins or Multiples Born Prematurely
Many multiples are born prematurely, creating compounded challenges. Specialists experienced in both multiples care AND preemie care are essential for these families.
Families With Complex Medical Needs
Preemies with additional health concerns (chronic lung disease, heart conditions, feeding tubes, etc.) benefit from specialists with relevant experience who can confidently support families managing complex care plans.
Parents Recovering From Difficult Pregnancies
Parents who experienced pregnancy complications, extended hospital stays, or traumatic birth experiences need emotional support alongside practical care assistance. Specialist support provides essential recovery time and emotional processing space.

Why Preemie Placements Require Different Expertise
Premature baby care isn't standard newborn care with a smaller baby—it's a distinct specialty requiring specific knowledge. Our agency was built by professionals who have trained hundreds of newborn care specialists, including those focused on NICU graduates and high-needs infants. Tonya Sakowicz, our founder, created the only CACHE International-accredited training program in the country, giving us direct insight into what quality preemie education looks like.
How We Identify Preemie-Qualified Specialists
Not every experienced NCS is suited for preemie care. We specifically verify NICU experience, familiarity with corrected age tracking, competency in specialized feeding techniques, and comfort working with medical equipment. Beyond credentials (CACHE-accredited programs, NCSA, or our proprietary assessment), we require references from families whose premature babies they've cared for. A specialist who excels with healthy full-term newborns may not have the knowledge your preemie needs—we screen for that distinction.
Matching for Your Baby's Specific Situation
Preemies vary enormously: a 34-weeker with feeding challenges differs from a 28-weeker with chronic lung concerns. We match based on gestational age at birth, specific medical considerations, feeding method and equipment, your family's support preferences, and schedule needs. The specialist who's right for one preemie family may not be right for yours—we find the one who is.
How Employment Works
You hire your specialist directly and establish terms with them. Our placement fee covers the specialized vetting and matching process. After placement, you communicate directly with your specialist—no agency intermediary in your daily care.

Step 1: Specialized Consultation
Call (602) 695-6775 or email agency@newborncaresolutions.com. We discuss your baby's gestational age, NICU experience, current/anticipated challenges, discharge timeline, and specific support needs.
Step 2: Detailed Assessment
We assess your baby's medical considerations, feeding requirements, developmental needs, home equipment or monitoring needs, and your family's support preferences.
Step 3: Specialist Matching
We identify specialists with proven preemie experience who match your needs, providing profiles highlighting preemie-specific experience, relevant certifications, testimonials from previous preemie families, and availability.
Step 4: Interviews & Selection
You interview specialists to discuss their preemie experience, approach to specialized needs, assess communication and confidence level, and select your preferred specialist.
Step 5: Care Planning & Start
You establish employment agreement with specialist, coordinate with NICU discharge team if relevant, align on care protocols and communication with pediatrician, and begin care (before or after NICU discharge).
Step 6: Ongoing Support
The NCS Agency provides continued support throughout your placement for adjustments, additional resources, or changing needs as your baby grows.

Fee Structure

Placement Fee: One-time fee to The NCS Agency for comprehensive vetting, candidate matching, interview support, and placement guidance through successful hire.
Specialist Rates: Paid directly to your Newborn Care Specialist or Postpartum Doula. Arizona rates typically $35-55+ per hour depending on:

1. Professional certifications and experience level
2. Specialized skills (lactation training, sleep coaching, multiples care)
3. Geographic location
4. Shift length and schedule (overnight, daytime, 24/7)

Estimated Weekly Rates
Overnight Care (10-12 hours, 5-7 nights):
$2,800 - $5,040/week

24/7 Live-In or ROTA Care:
$6,720 - $10,080/week

Note: These are estimated ranges for preemie-specialized care. Actual rates negotiated directly with your chosen specialist. Many families engage specialized care for 4-12 weeks as preemies mature and challenges resolve.

Ideally, we recommend connecting with a specialist 2-4 weeks before anticipated discharge so the specialist can visit the NICU, learn your baby's routines, meet with NICU staff, and create continuity of care. However, we also accommodate families needing immediate post-discharge support.

Our specialists focus on non-medical, evidence-based care and education. They are not licensed nurses and do not perform medical procedures, diagnose conditions, or administer medications. They work alongside your medical team and alert you to any concerns requiring pediatric consultation.

Yes! Our specialists are trained in lactation support basics and can help with positioning and latch, support pumping schedules, bring baby to you for night feeds, track feeding sessions, and recognize when additional lactation consultant support may be beneficial.

Many NICU graduates come home with apnea monitors, oxygen equipment, or feeding tubes. While our specialists do not perform medical procedures, those experienced with preemies understand how to work around this equipment during daily care. They can help you maintain feeding tube schedules, recognize monitor alerts that need attention versus normal variations, and coordinate with your medical team when questions arise. The goal is confident daily management within the boundaries of non-medical support—your pediatrician and home health team handle the clinical decisions.

Corrected age is fundamental to preemie care, and specialists we place for premature infants understand this concept thoroughly. They track milestones against corrected age rather than chronological age, helping parents set realistic expectations and recognize when development is on track versus when evaluation might be warranted. This understanding prevents the unnecessary anxiety that comes from comparing your preemie to full-term babies born at the same time.

Yes! Many families maintain care as their preemie matures, gradually transitioning from intensive support to more typical newborn care schedules. We're happy to adjust care plans as your baby's needs evolve.

We require specialists to provide references from previous preemie families, document specific training or certifications related to premature infant care, and demonstrate knowledge of preemie-specific protocols during our vetting process.