Finding Child Care for Your Baby

Sometimes you must find child care even for young babies. This happens most often when the parents work outside the home. You may have many choices when it comes to choosing child care for your baby. You may have a neighbor or relative who can take care of him. Or, you may decide to use a day-care center or family home. It’s a good idea to visit several centers or homes before choosing one. Watch how the staff teaches the children. Watch how the children are cared for. If a neighbor or relative cares for your baby, make sure he or she likes your baby. Make sure he or she knows how important it is to keep your baby safe.

TIPS ON CHOOSING DAY CARE:

• Always ask to see the center’s or home’s license. To get a license, a center must follow certain rules. Homes also must follow rules to be licensed. The rules cover cleanliness and safety. The rules tell centers and homes to have enough staff to care for the children.
• The center or home should welcome visits by parents at any time. The center or home should be clean and should look nice. The staff should spend time talking and playing with the children. The staff should be gentle but have control over the children.
• After you choose a center or home, be sure to follow the rules set by the center or home. Make sure you pick up your baby on time. Give the center or home your baby’s shot record. Tell the staff about any special needs, such as allergies, that your baby has. If you are breastfeeding, let the staff know that you will come in for feedings or you will provide your breast milk in bottles. The staff should call you right away if your baby seems sick or has a minor accident.
Your baby may be upset at first about staying in a strange place. This is normal. You and the staff can work together to help your baby get used to being in child care. After your baby has settled into a routine, he should become relaxed about going to child care.

DAY-CARE PROVIDERS TO AVOID:

• Avoid centers or homes that don’t want parents dropping by without notice.
• Avoid centers or homes where you see children left alone.
• Avoid centers or homes where children seem bored or unhappy.
• Avoid centers or homes where staff yells at the children a lot.
• Avoid centers or homes that are dirty or unsafe.

If your friends or relatives care for your baby, go over carefully with them how to make things safe for your baby, especially as he gets older. As a mother, you know to never leave your baby alone, to put him in a safe crib to sleep, to secure him in a stroller and to never shake him. However, sometimes even people who love you and your baby may not know these things. Be sure that they understand how to keep your baby safe and comfortable. To learn more about child-care options, you can contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone at 1-800-424-2246 or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.

WORKING WITH CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS:

Some parents enroll their children in child-care centers. Some use family day-care homes. And some rely on relatives to care for their babies. In any case, you and the child-care provider will work together. Your partnership will keep your baby strong and healthy and help him grow.

Use these tips to make your child-care choice work:

• Share information. Explain your baby’s schedule, habits and needs. For example, tell the provider that your baby uses a security blanket at nap time. Make sure the provider knows how to reach you in an emergency.
• Pay on time. Being late with payments isn’t fair.
• Set up regular conferences. Talk with the provider about your baby’s needs. Review what works and what doesn’t. Ask the provider about your baby’s developing skills.
• Insist on good health practices. Is food prepared and stored properly? Are diaper changing areas clean and germ free? Do adults and children wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet? All of these measures help keep your baby healthy.
• Show that you respect the provider. Pick up your baby on time. Say “thank you” often.

HIRING A BABY SITTER:

Baby-sitting isn’t for everyone. Baby-sitters keep your children safe and happy while you are away for a short time. Use the guidelines below. They will keep your baby safe and help your baby-sitter do a good job.

• Ask for names and phone numbers of people who have hired the baby-sitter before. Call these people and ask what they liked and didn’t like about this sitter.
• Interview the baby-sitter. Look for someone who is trustworthy, capable and comfortable with babies.
• Have a trial run. Have the sitter care for your baby while you are at home. You can watch the sitter with your baby.
• Describe your routines. Give the sitter information on your baby’s habits and preferences for eating, diapering, playing and sleeping.
• Give clear instructions. Make sure the sitter knows how to deal with emergencies.
• Tell the sitter how you can be reached. Give the sitter the name and phone number of a friend or relative to call if you can’t be reached.
• Write down the phone number of the baby’s doctor.
• Give a tour of your house. Let the sitter know about anything unusual.
• Let the sitter know when you’ll be home. Call if you will be late.
• Make sure the baby-sitter understands all your safety rules for your baby.

SEPARATION ANXIETY:

Your baby wants to be with you. You are the person your baby knows and loves best. He knows when you are not with him. This creates a fear that you will not return. This distress is called “separation anxiety.” It is an important part of growing up.

Help your baby separate from you. Avoid leaving when he is hungry, tired or sick. Ask the caregiver or baby-sitter to sit nearby and hold an interesting toy. Let the baby warm up to the new person. Offer your baby a security object like a stuffed toy or a soft, familiar blanket. This can help your baby comfort himself while you are away.

Your baby may cry loudly, but don’t sneak away. Tell your baby what will happen while you’re gone. Say when you will return. Tell him, for example, “I need to leave now. Auntie Meg will play with you and give you lunch. I’ll be back before nap time. I love you.” Give your baby a kiss and leave. His cries will end soon. Over time he will learn that you always come back.

Take the time needed in finding child care for Your Baby because choosing qualified child care providers and baby sitters you can trust will bring you more peace of mind and provide more safety for your baby.

This Article is found in our "Baby's First Year" Manual along with many other informative articles for new ,experienced, and expecting parents.

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