Where to Start: Foundational vs. Advanced Training

If you’re considering a career as a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), or if you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, you’ve likely come across the Foundational Newborn Care Specialist Training and the Advanced Newborn Care Training offered by Newborn Care Solutions®. But where to start? And why is it important to start with foundational training before moving on to advanced coursework?

Let’s break it down so you can set yourself up for success in this rewarding field.

Start at the Beginning: Foundational Training

Before you can confidently handle complex newborn situations, you need a solid foundation of knowledge. The Foundational Newborn Care Specialist Training is designed for those who are new to the NCS industry (but not new to childcare) or want to build a strong baseline of skills. However, don’t mistake this as a basic “diapers and bottles 101” course—this training goes far beyond the basics and is packed with evidence-based best practices and professional-level education.

This course covers essential topics such as:

• Understanding newborn development and needs
• Best practices for feeding, sleep, and soothing
• Safe sleep and swaddling guidelines 
• Medical concerns of newborns such as brachial plexus injuries, food allergies, pyloric stenosis and more
• Postpartum support for new parents
• Contracts and business concerns
• Professionalism and working in a client’s home

Taking this course first ensures that you have a comprehensive grasp of the fundamentals before moving on to more specialized and complex care strategies.  Regardless of prior training as a doula or NCS, this is the place to start if your goal is a solid foundation and move into more training. 

Moving to the Next Level: Advanced Training

Once you’ve mastered the basics and have real-world experience working with newborns, you may be ready to deepen your expertise with the Advanced Newborn Care Training. This course is not designed for beginners—it’s meant for those who already have foundational knowledge and hands-on experience.

Advanced training takes a deep dive into specialized topics such as:

• Supporting medically fragile and premature infants
• Complex feeding challenges and solutions
• Optimizing Infant Brain Development
• Advanced sleep conditioning techniques
• Managing multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Specialized Business Topics

This level of training equips you with the skills to handle high-level newborn care scenarios and positions you as an expert in your field.

Why You Need the Foundation First

It can be tempting to jump straight into advanced training, especially if you’re eager to take on more complex cases. However, skipping foundational training can leave gaps in your knowledge that make it difficult to fully grasp the advanced concepts. Think of it like building a house—you wouldn’t start with the second floor without laying a strong foundation first!

By completing the foundational training first, you:

• Gain confidence in core newborn care skills
• Avoid feeling overwhelmed by advanced medical and developmental topics
• Establish credibility with clients and potential employers
• Ensure you’re fully prepared for real-world newborn care scenarios
• Have taken a required step if you plan to apply for certification or the Elite NCS™ program

Save When You Enroll in Both Courses

If you know you want to complete both the Foundational and Advanced training, enrolling in both at the same time can save you nearly $300! Take advantage of the Foundational + Advanced Training Bundle to maximize your learning while minimizing costs.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

To set yourself up right,, the best path is clear: begin with Foundational Training, gain hands-on experience, and then advance your skills with Advanced Training when you’re ready. This structured learning path ensures you receive professional-level education at every stage, making you a highly skilled and sought-after Newborn Care Specialist.

Ready to get started? Explore the courses today and take the first step toward becoming a highly skilled and confident Newborn Care Specialist!