A former nanny to the stars has offered an insight into the flashy lives and parenting styles of Australia’s most wealthy personalities.
Considered one of the country’s top baby trainers, Anna Baker tours the nation offering parents tips on bedtime routines, sleep hacks and more after years of service to the elite.
At age 20, Ms Baker was living the high life under the employment of actor Russell Crowe and his then-wife Danielle Spencer.
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“My experience was insane. What a start to my career. A 20-year-old flying first class, staying in top hotels, with bodyguards. Yes please! I learned what fine dining was and what it felt like to hold a Rolex or a designer handbag,” she told PerthNow.
“It was lush, and I’m so glad I was welcomed by the Crowe family. I still see his beautiful boys and his ex-wife today.”
Russell Crowe with Anna Baker’s children Luka and Frankie. Credit: Supplied
Ms Baker’s A-list clientele extends to fashion designer Camilla Franks, ModelCo founder Shelly Sullivan, Real Housewives of Sydney’s Martine Chippendale, and even Red Wiggle Caterina Mete, along with a string of CEOs.
A mother-of-two herself, she finds humour in recounting the offers she’s received from desperate parents looking to offload their kids for a brief moment of respite.
In one case while travelling, the “celebrity baby whisperer” was handed an Amex card at 2am by a parent offering to pay her own kids’ school tuition in a bid to gain some peace — and sleep — after a long journey.
“They were awesome parents, but the kids were jet lagged. So at 2am we were all eating room service and laughing. I put the kids to bed and we all finally went to sleep. It was so funny, I still laugh about it today,” she recalled.
Anna Baker with the twins of Red Wiggle, Caterina Mete. Credit: Supplied
Ms Baker said the perception wealthy parents spend less quality time with their kids is not always accurate, as they outsource medial tasks most parents can’t afford to.
From her experiences, the rich seek to incorporate convenience into their lives, despite the cost, and that’s the function of her service.
“The truth is, they do spend time with their kids, because they don’t have to do the crappy tasks,” she added.
“Lots of people talk rubbish about what I do. But I see it as celebrities working smarter and getting that quality time in. A better quality of life. People are probably just jealous.”
Anna Baker is a child sleep specialist. Credit: Supplied
But it’s not always glamorous.
Ms Baker said her role was to keep up perfect appearances, often when the reality is far from that.
“Kids screaming at the airport having a meltdown? That’s my job. I hold everything together with a smile when really I’m dying inside. It’s almost a seen and not heard role, and that’s not a criticism at all,” she said.
There are two major differences between regular parents, and those in the stratospheric tax brackets, the former nanny revealed.
She’d find herself getting lost in a residential labyrinth, or setting off an alarm as she leaves in the morning.
Ms Baker would occasionally receive a note the private chef had left her a plate of food for dinner, but said she’d prefer to eat before arriving to work.
Drawing on her vast experience, Ms Baker acts as the founder of SleepBaker, a baby sleep consultancy company based in Sydney.
She also launched organic infant clothing label Dream with Baker.
Former nanny to the stars Anna Baker. Credit: Supplied
On Thursday and Friday this week, Ms Baker will be holding free masterclasses at Milestones Early Learning in Middle Swan, Edgewater and Canning Vale open to all parents.
Her tips for WA mums and dads: “Treat anything before 6am as a night waking. If your little one is up at 5am, that’s not morning, that’s night. Keep the lights off, keep it quiet and boring, and don’t start the day until 6.
“Perth sunrises are early and bright, so go spend your best $75 at Spotlight and get blackout blinds. Light is one of the biggest reasons kids wake early. Make the room dark and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
“And be consistent. That’s a word I say all the time. Same bedtime, same routine, same wake up time, even on weekends. Kids love knowing what’s coming next. Consistent, consistent, consistent!”
