Maternity Nurse Training
Online
A diverse specialist training team, globally recognised, evidence-led
An OCN Level 3 & 4 accreditation in newborn and maternity care. Eight core modules, a recorded masterclass with a specialist for every one of them, and a written assessment marked by your own tutor. Start the day you enrol, from anywhere in the world.
- OCN Level 3 & 4
- Fully online
- Self-paced
- Study worldwide
- Agency recognised
From £450, or 3 payments of £165 (£495 in total) · 14-day money-back guarantee
Same OCN accreditation as our London course — £35 less at Level 3, £80 less at Level 4, with no travel and no time off work.
★★★★★ 4.9 130+ Google reviews- Eight specialists, one per subject
- NICE guidelines
- Cochrane reviews
- 20,000+ trained since 2011
85% of placement participants said the experience helped them secure paid work. See the placement pathway (optional · England · not guaranteed)
- Format
- Fully onlineSelf-paced · lifetime access
- Assessment
- Written7 weeks · tutor marked
- Where
- AnywhereNo London weekend required
- Credential
- OCN LondonIdentical to the blended route
Recommended by
Three things that set this training apart
Clinical depth, practical experience, and support that continues after you qualify.
Taught by experienced specialists
Learn from specialists across newborn care, feeding, sleep, postnatal recovery, perinatal mental health and infant development. One specialist per subject, not one generalist for everything.
- Evidence-informed teaching
- Specialist training team
- Real-world newborn care
Practical experience after you qualify
Eligible England-based graduates can apply for Babyem's optional newborn placement pathway, working with real families including those referred to us by NCT, Twins Trust and other family support organisations.
- Optional
- England-based
- Not guaranteed
Training that keeps going after you qualify
After you qualify you keep access to CPD workshops, the practitioner community and the masterclass vault. Your training does not stop at the certificate.
- Quarterly CPD
- Live community
- Masterclass vault
Three stages. One clear path
No fixed dates. No cohort start times. No commute. From the moment you enrol, the whole programme is open to you.
- Enrol & begin
Immediate access to the full programme
Every module unlocks at once. Study in the order that suits you, around the families you already work with.
Self-paced · lifetime access - Written assessment
Submit your written assessment
An essay-based assessment marked by your allocated tutor and independently verified by Open College Network London.
7 weeks · tutor marked - Post-course
Your OCN certificate is issued
Independently accredited, agency recognised, and identical to the certificate awarded on the blended London route.
OCN accredited
A look inside the training
See exactly what you get before you enrol
From the moment you enrol, every module is unlocked. No cohort to wait for and nothing drip-fed. This is what that actually looks like.
- Eight core modules, plus five bonus modules at Level 4
- A recorded masterclass with a specialist for every core module
- Audio, video and downloadable resources, so you can study around the families you already work with
- Written assessment marked by your allocated tutor and independently verified by Open College Network
- Quarterly CPD workshops and expert Q&A sessions, included with your enrolment
- Lifetime access to every module and every future update
14-day money-back guarantee · Payment plans available · 20,000+ practitioners trained since 2011
Core programme modules
OCN Level 3 & 4
Module 01SleepOpen module
Module 02Colic, Reflux & AllergiesOpen module
Module 03Caring for BabiesOpen module
Module 04Premature, Low Weight & Sick BabiesOpen module
Module 05Breastfeeding & Other FeedingOpen module
Module 06Care of Postnatal MothersOpen modulePlus Module 07 Maternal Depression and Module 08 Working as a Maternity Nurse
Bonus modules at Level 4
Culture & DiversityChild TemperamentFlat Head Syndrome & the Osteopathic ApproachDevelopmental Milestones, Leaps & PhasesTongue-Tie
Independently accreditedVerified by Open College Network LondonEight modules. Everything a world-class maternity nurse needs
Every module includes a recorded masterclass with a specialist in that subject. Level 4 adds five bonus modules and a more demanding written assessment.
01Sleep
Infant sleep as a physiological process, not a behaviour to be corrected.
- Sleep requirements, naps and the signs of tiredness
- Circadian rhythms, sleep cycles and sleep associations
- Sleep in babies 0–6 weeks and 6–12 weeks, and what "sleeping through the night" actually means
- Brain development, the fourth trimester and the hormones behind it
- Supporting babies to sleep: self-soothing, controlled crying and gentle alternatives, with case studies
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: causes, reducing risk factors, and bed sharing
- Sleep philosophies, and how to hold your own professional position
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Nightfeeds and Sleep
02Colic, Reflux & Allergies
The crying baby, and how to tell what is actually going on.
- Infantile colic and the causes of non-stomach related excessive crying
- Food causing fermentation or immune response in the gut
- Medications and over-the-counter remedies, and what the evidence supports
- Reflux: understanding gastro-oesophageal reflux, management and treatment options
- Allergies, including cow's milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance
- Case studies drawn from real practice
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Colic
03Caring for Babies
The practical core of the role, done properly.
- General baby care in the first weeks
- Skin care and bathing
- Serious and common illness: what to watch for, when to reassure, when to seek urgent advice
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Caring for Babies
04Premature, Low Weight & Sick Babies
The families who need the most skilled support, and often get the least.
- Multiple births: twins and beyond, and what changes in day-to-day practice
- Preterm and sick babies: what prematurity means for feeding, temperature and handling
- Feeding and sleeping in premature and multiple babies
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Premature babies, low weight and sick babies
05Breastfeeding & Other Feeding Methods
Feeding support that holds up when it does not go to plan.
- How milk is made, and normal breastfeeding
- When breastfeeding doesn't go to plan, and where your scope ends
- Supporting families with formula fed babies: preparation, sterilisation and responsive practice
- DNA and genetic expression in early feeding
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Breastfeeding and Other Feeding Methods
06Care of Postnatal Mothers
You are not only caring for the baby.
- Caring for mothers after having a baby: recovery, rest and practical support
- Pelvic floor health, and when to encourage a referral
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Care of Postnatal Mothers
07Maternal Depression
The part of the role most training leaves out entirely.
- Antenatal depression, baby blues and postpartum psychosis, and how to tell them apart
- Postnatal depression: what gives rise to it, and its effect on the parent-infant relationship
- Postnatal depression in fathers
- Self-help techniques, talking therapies and medication
Includes
Recorded masterclass: Maternal Depression
08Working as a Maternity Nurse
The business of doing this professionally and sustainably.
- The scope and reality of the role, responsibility and professional judgment in a family home
- Ways of working: live-in, daily, sole charge
- When to act, when to refer, when to step back
- Contracts, insurance, self-employment, rates and tax
- Marketing yourself and building a professional reputation
L4Five bonus modulesLevel 4 only
Included when you choose to be assessed at Level 4.
- Culture & Diversity — postnatal traditions across Islamic, Jewish, African, Chinese, Korean and Eastern European cultures. Supporting LGBTQ+ families.
- Child Temperament — temperament types and how they shape feeding, settling and the parental experience.
- Flat Head Syndrome & the Osteopathic Approach — synostotic versus non-synostotic plagiocephaly, and guiding families through assessment and treatment options.
- Developmental Milestones, Leaps & Phases — how babies develop across the early months, and how to reassure families through the harder phases.
- Tongue-Tie — recognising tongue-tie, understanding its potential impact on feeding at breast and bottle, and knowing when referral to specialist services is appropriate.
- 8
- Core modules
- 8
- Recorded masterclasses
- 4
- Bonus modules at L4
- Lifetime
- Access to everything
What a maternity nurse actually does
A maternity nurse supports a family through the newborn period, usually in the family's own home, and usually in the first weeks and months after birth. It is a specialist newborn role, not general childcare.
Newborn care, day and night
Feeding, winding, settling, bathing, cord and skin care, safe sleep, and establishing gentle newborn routines that work with a baby's physiology rather than against it. Many maternity nurses work overnight so parents can sleep.
Feeding support, whatever the family chooses
Supporting breastfeeding families through positioning, attachment, supply and the difficulties that arise, and supporting formula and combination feeding safely and without judgement. Knowing when a feeding problem needs a lactation consultant or a GP.
Recognising when a newborn is unwell
Newborns deteriorate quickly and often quietly. You learn what is normal in the first weeks, what the red flags are, and when to reassure, monitor or seek urgent medical advice. This is the part of the role families are trusting you with most.
Supporting the mother, not only the baby
Postnatal recovery, rest, pelvic floor health, and recognising antenatal and postnatal depression, baby blues and postpartum psychosis. Knowing how to raise a concern with a family, and who to refer to.
Where maternity nurses work: most work on a self-employed basis with private families, for defined periods, either live-in or on a daily or overnight basis. Some work alongside nannying. Others move into newborn care specialist, night nanny or postnatal support roles. See what maternity nurses earn in the UK.
Whatever your background, this is where you go deeper
A minimum of one year's hands-on experience with babies is recommended. If you are unsure whether your experience is suitable, contact us before enrolling.
What you will be equipped to do
Support newborns and families with genuine confidence
Feeding, sleep, colic, reflux, allergies, prematurity, maternal recovery and mental health — across the areas families actually need help with.
Read the situation, not just follow a script
Understand the why behind every recommendation, and apply evidence responsively to the family in front of you.
Know when to support and when to refer
Recognise the limits of your role, hold your knowledge with confidence, and connect families to the right professional.
Hold an independently accredited OCN credential
OCN London Level 3 or 4, independently regulated and verified by written assessment. Recognised by the agencies who place practitioners.
Practical experience with families after you qualify
Eligible England-based graduates can apply for Babyem's optional newborn placement pathway. Where suitable opportunities are available, we may introduce graduates to families — including families referred to us by organisations such as NCT, Twins Trust and other family support organisations.
85%
of placement participants said the experience helped them secure paid work.
Placements are not guaranteed and depend on family availability, location, graduate readiness and demand. The pathway is currently available to eligible England-based graduates only.
A diverse team of specialists, learning from the best in the field
They say it takes a village to raise a child. At Babyem we believe it takes a village to train a practitioner — so each subject is taught by a specialist in that subject, not one generalist across all of them.
Shel Banks · Dr Emma Svanberg · Kay Crotty · Lyndsey Hookway · Helen Turier · Hannah Rose · Emma Dewey · Vanessa Christie
- NICE guidelines
- Cochrane reviews
- One specialist per subject
- Globally recognised
"I really enjoyed having the flexibility to study at my own pace. As most childcarers will know, we work long hours, so flexibility really was key for me."
Amy Fairweather, Nanny — Babyem graduate
Trusted by the agencies who place the best practitioners
"We are continuously impressed by their level of maternity and nanny training."
"Those with a background in childcare wishing to train as a maternity nurse should enrol."
"We are really impressed with the content, the teaching style and the flow of the day."
"Our nanny candidates have consistently given us great feedback about Babyem."
Real outcomes from real practitioners
Although I had worked as a nanny for 16 years prior to the training, without this course and its ongoing support I don't think I would have become a Maternity Nurse. I learnt so much evidence-based information that helped me understand why certain approaches are followed. Having such a qualified teacher made a big difference — as a known Lactation Consultant and Sleep Specialist, she taught the most up-to-date methods drawn from real, complex daily practice.
I searched for quite a while to find a course, and what won me over with Babyem is how attentive they are. The course exceeded my expectations and explored all possible topics that I could imagine, all of which was based on scientific research. If you are looking for something that can actually teach you about how to be a Maternity Nurse in depth you will not be disappointed.
I got offered a job after just one day on Babyem's Maternity Placement Scheme, working with twins which were 6 weeks premature.
Choose your level. Start your training
Both levels are taught to the same standard. The difference is the level at which you are assessed and accredited — and Level 4 adds five bonus modules.
OCN Level 3
£450
or 3 payments of £165 (£495 in total)
A-level equivalent standard- All eight core online modules
- All eight recorded masterclasses
- Lifetime access to all content
- Audio, video and downloadable resources
- Tutor-marked written assessment
- OCN Level 3 accredited certificate
- Placement Scheme access (optional · England)
Best for: practitioners who want a recognised, independently accredited qualification and a solid clinical foundation.
Enrol at Level 3OCN Level 4
£570
or 3 payments of £200 (£600 in total)
Foundation degree standard- Everything included at Level 3
- 5 bonus modules — Culture & Diversity · Child Temperament · Flat Head Syndrome & the Osteopathic Approach · Developmental Milestones, Leaps & Phases · Tongue-Tie
- Higher-level critical analysis and written coursework
- OCN Level 4 accredited certificate
Best for: practitioners who want the highest level of formal accreditation, with five bonus modules and greater analytical depth.
Enrol at Level 414-day money-back guarantee, valid on all levels. Full refund within 14 days of enrolment. You can upgrade from Level 3 to Level 4 at any time, paying only the difference.
Answered honestly
Before you enrol
Do I need previous experience with babies?
We recommend at least one year's hands-on experience caring for babies. You might already be working as a nanny, nursery practitioner, doula or in another role supporting babies and families. The training builds on that experience. If you're unsure whether your experience is suitable, please contact us before enrolling.
What is the difference between Level 3 and Level 4?
The Level 3 programme comprises eight core modules assessed at A-level equivalent standard. The Level 4 programme includes the same eight core modules plus five bonus modules — Culture & Diversity, Child Temperament, Flat Head Syndrome & the Osteopathic Approach, Developmental Milestones, Leaps & Phases, and Tongue-Tie — assessed at foundation degree standard. This is a structural difference in module content, not just assessment depth. You choose your level on enrolment, and can upgrade at any time by paying only the price difference. If you are unsure which level is right for you, contact us before enrolling.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Level 3 can be paid as 3 × £165 (£495 in total) instead of £450 in full, and Level 4 as 3 × £200 (£600 in total) instead of £570 in full. A small administration fee applies to payment plans, so paying in full is always the lowest total cost.
What approach to newborn care does Babyem teach?
A responsive, evidence-based approach. You will not be taught rigid scripts. You will be taught how to assess, think critically, and know when to refer.
Accreditation & assessment
Is the online course the same accreditation as the London course?
Yes. Both the online and blended programmes lead to the same OCN London accreditation at Level 3 or Level 4. The difference is how you learn, not what you end up holding.
Who accredits the Maternity Nurse Training?
Open College Network London (OCN London), an established UK awarding organisation. The course and assessment process are subject to external standards and quality assurance, so this is not simply an internally created Babyem certificate.
How does the written assessment work?
Your accreditation includes a written, essay-based assessment, and you are given seven weeks to complete and submit it. The Level 3 and Level 4 papers are different and reflect the academic level you have chosen. Your work is marked by your allocated tutor and goes through the required quality-assurance process; it typically takes around four weeks after the final assessment process for your OCN certificate to arrive.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a 14-day refund period. If you enrol and decide within 14 days that the programme is not right for you, you may request a refund in line with our cancellation policy.
Studying online
How does the online course actually work?
Everything is delivered through your online learning area, which you can reach from a phone, tablet or computer. All eight modules unlock the moment you enrol, so you choose the order and the pace. Each module combines written material, video and audio with downloadable resources you can keep, and every core module has a recorded masterclass with a specialist in that subject. There are no live sessions you have to attend and no fixed start dates, so the online course fits around the families you already work with.
Is the online course easier than the in-person one?
No. The online and blended routes cover the same curriculum, are assessed by the same written assessment at your chosen level, and lead to the same OCN London accreditation. The difference is that the blended route adds two days of face-to-face teaching in London. Studying online means you fit the learning around your own schedule instead of travelling.
Can I study from outside the UK?
Yes. The online programme is available to practitioners worldwide. The placement pathway is currently available to eligible England-based graduates only.
How long do I have access?
Lifetime access to every module, every recorded masterclass and every future update.
Your career afterwards
What is the Newborn Placement Pathway and am I eligible?
The Placement Scheme is an optional opportunity available to eligible England-based graduates, connecting you with families looking for newborn support so you can put your learning into practice. Placements are not guaranteed and depend on family availability, location, graduate readiness and demand.
What do maternity nurses earn?
Rates vary considerably by location, experience, whether the work is live-in or daily, and whether you work through an agency or directly with families. We've written a full breakdown of what maternity nurses earn in the UK, including how rates differ between London and the rest of the country: how much do maternity nurses earn in the UK.
Does completing the course guarantee me work?
No reputable training provider or agency can guarantee paid work after a course. What we can do is help you become better prepared to take that next step, and the placement pathway is designed to help bridge the gap between finishing your training and building professional experience.
Train to be the person families remember for ever
The newborn period is fleeting. The practitioners who support families through it are remembered for a lifetime.
14-day money-back guarantee