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Information to Leave Home with a Caregiver for Baby 6 Weeks to 1 Year

Consider leaving this information with a babysitter or caregiver when you leave them with your baby.


General

  • Your planned location(s) and cell phone number(s)

  • Your home address (in case it's needed by emergency personnel)

  • Your expected time of return

  • Baby's Schedule: feeding, sleeping, bathing, frequency of diaper changes

  • Reasons you'd like the caregiver to contact you: e.g. baby is crying uncontrollably, refuses a bottle, does not fall asleep, falls or bumps into something, seems ill or unwell

  • What you'd like the babysitter to track: e.g. time and amount of feedings, time and duration of naps, number of diaper changes.

  • "Rules" (e.g. whether or not caregiver can post your child's photo on social media, off-limit rooms, etc.)

  • Any considerations for pet care and baby/pet interaction


Feeding

  • When and approx. how much milk you expect baby to have (# of bottles / amount of milk per bottle)

  • How to prepare breastmilk or formula

  • How and where to store unused formula or breastmilk

  • How to burp baby after bottles

  • When, what, and approx. how much solid food you expect baby to have

  • What not to feed baby (choking hazards, allergies, etc.)

  • How to prepare and feed baby solids

  • How to wash baby after feeding


Sleep

  • How to change and/or swaddle baby for sleep

  • How to prepare baby's room for sleep (monitor, sound machine, etc.)

  • What to do if baby falls asleep in carseat, stroller, swing or bouncer


COVID-19

  • Request that baby stays home OR caretaker only takes baby only to specific places

  • Explain family guidelines for hand-washing/sterilization

  • Explain family guidelines for interacting with others

  • Request that caregiver contacts you if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms


In Case of Emergency


Consider demonstrating the following the first time a caregiver cares for your child:

  • Changing the baby into a fresh diaper and new clothes.

  • Safely buckling the baby into carseat, stroller, carrier, high chair, and/or swing or bouncer.

  • Safely swaddling the baby for sleep and preparing the baby's room for sleep.

  • Using the monitor.

  • Any signs or words the baby uses to communicate.

  • Tricks or tips that help to soothe your baby.

  • How to take a temperature, and which temperatures are normal vs. a call to parents vs. a call to 911.

  • How to turn on/off security system or view camera to see who is at front door.

Don't forget to show the caregiver where you keep:

  • Diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream (if/when it's used)

  • First aid kit

  • Thermometer

  • Spare key

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Flashlight (in case of a power outage)

  • Epipen or other medications if needed



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