Whether you are looking for full time care for your baby or just an occasional babysitter, here are some signs you can look for that may tell you that your caregiver isn’t right for you and your child.
Your baby is your most precious possession. I once heard the advice that you should never leave your baby anywhere you wouldn’t leave a million dollars. And of course, your baby is priceless and much more important. Here are some danger signs that warrant a closer look at your caregiver.
She doesn’t follow standard safety advice
If your caregiver puts your newborn on her stomach to sleep, for example, you can be concerned, since babies should be put on their backs to sleep because of the risk of SIDS. Even more scary is a caregiver who placed an old bedspring on top of a pack and play to keep the baby from climbing out. Unfortunately, that particular baby perished as a result. Are there choking hazards within your baby’s reach? Are there accessible stairs without safety gates? Your caregiver should know the basics of baby safety.
He doesn’t have an open door policy
You should be able to stop by to see your baby while she is under someone else’s care. Obviously, you should be considerate about nap times, meal times and other times that may pose a distraction, especially if your caregiver cares for other children. However, if you are told that you cannot stop by with the exception of pick up and drop off times, it can be a red flag.
Your baby seems unkempt, dirty or always has an overly full diaper
A caregiver may not be able to meet your child’s needs if she cannot take care of the basics, such as a clean, dry baby. Clothing should be buttoned or snapped, faces should be wipes, and the baby should be changed before pickup or arrival time. The caregiver may be too overwhelmed or just uninterested to care for your baby. If basic needs aren’t being met, you can be almost assured that she is not spending that time engaging your baby.
There are more caregiver danger signs. Check back soon!
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don’t miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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