Babysitting a baby in its first year of life, when it hasn't learned to walk yet, isn't quite the same as caring for older, more independent children. Babies are very fragile and require very special care and attention.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare a form for parents to fill out
You should include the emergency contacts of both parents, the baby's nutrition, his or her allergies, and other things to know in an emergency.
Step 2. Make sure your baby is comfortable all the time
- If he starts crying, check his diaper. If he has pooped or if his nappy is wet, you will need to change it. Get a new nappy before removing the used one. To change a diaper get: baby sanitizing wipes, a new diaper and something to keep the baby busy while you change it. First: remove the used diaper. Second: if it is a boy, put the clean diaper on his private parts; if it is a sissy, first make sure you clean the front and back well to avoid the spread of bacteria. Third: Clean the baby with all the wipes you need and make sure you get it right between all the folds and rolls. Lastly: lift his feet, remove the dirty nappy and put on the clean one. Close the nappy tightly with the patterned side in front.
- If the baby continues to cry, it often means that he is hungry. You will then need to find her bottle and heat the milk that mom told you to use. Remember, use one tablespoon of powdered milk about every 50 grams. Shake well, then heat. Do not put the bottle to heat in the microwave as microwaves can create pockets of hot milk. Place it in a saucepan over a stove and heat the water. After heating the bottle, make sure the cap is tightly closed and shake it well. After that, sprinkle some milk on your wrist and, if it's too hot, keep shaking the bottle until it cools down enough. Once the milk is ready for the baby to drink, hold the baby up and gently place the rubber teat in his mouth. Do not point the teat straight down as this could cause the baby to choke. Take breaks between feeds and during breaks, put the baby in a sitting position by lightly nudging him on the back, between the shoulder blades. Usually it should burp.
Step 3. If you have been asked to give your baby solid food, you will usually need to give him cereal or baby food
If the baby food is too watery, mix a spoonful of baby rice with it, again if you agree with the parents. Then, put a bib on the baby and put it on his chair. Never lose sight of him when he is in the chair. Half-fill a teaspoon with food and gently place the teaspoon in the child's mouth. Do not push the spoon in by force. If his food goes awry or he avoids the spoon, it's probably full.
Step 4. Play with the child
Towards evening you will have some time to play with the baby. You should do it softly and at his own pace. Keep small items out of her reach and make sure you keep a close eye on what's in her mouth. Feet are fine!
Step 5. To wash the baby, fill the tub 1/4 full with lukewarm water
Lift the baby by taking him from under the arms and butt and place him in the tub. Don't lay it down! Rub some baby shower gel with a washcloth or small clean cloth. Make sure once again that you get well between all the folds and rolls. Rinse without pouring water directly on your face. Do the same to wash the baby's head but VERY, VERY gently. Rinse using the small cloth again. When you're done, pat the baby dry with a soft towel and put the cream on him.
Step 6. Put on a new diaper like you did before and then have him put on his pajamas
Make the baby drink more milk and always tap him on the back to make him burp.
Step 7. All babies are different and not everyone likes to go to sleep the same way, however, most like to be rocked gently
Try this by holding the baby in your arms and rocking him slowly back and forth, or holding him tightly in your arms as you trot, or swing him in a rocking chair. If the baby does not fall asleep, lift him gently and let him lie down in his crib.
- NEVER leave the baby in the crib lying on his stomach with the bottle in his hand as he could choke. When he has fallen asleep, sit with him in the room and wait to make sure that he continues to sleep and that the environment in which he sleeps is safe.
- Make sure there is nothing in the crib for him to play with. It could distract him and make him stop wanting to sleep. Also, soft toys should never fit in a crib as a newborn could choke. Keep large, soft blankets and pillows away from the crib. Babies do not need them and they are in all respects dangerous. Keep the crib blankets away from the baby's face.
- Never have a baby lie on his stomach, even if the parents tell you to. Always put it on your back with your stomach up. Putting him on his stomach is very dangerous and potentially lethal - however, if the baby is old enough to turn on his stomach on his own is fine, you can let him.
Step 8. Continue to keep an eye on the baby while he sleeps
This is important as it is part of your babysitting duty to make sure your baby is safe, not complaining, cold, hot, or a dirty nappy. Use a baby monitor if it was provided to you.
Step 9. When you hear a knock on the door, don't open it right away
First ask who it is, look through the peephole and if you see someone you don't know, don't answer. If it's the parents, open the door.
Advice
- Sometimes babies cry "even if you did everything perfectly". Don't blame yourself if the baby cries. He might just miss his mom and dad.
- When a child is agitated, don't worry and keep calm. See if she wants or needs anything, like a bottle or a toy.
- Make sure the baby stays happy. If he moans or fidgets, try giving him a toy or something, such as a pacifier.
- Make sure you clean up well what you or the baby dirty. Parents usually don't like to go home and find it dirty everywhere, but they really appreciate coming back and seeing it cleaner than before.
- When you feed him, don't be in a hurry, always take the time you need with a newborn. It often takes a while to feed a baby. They are paying you to babysit him, which means they are paying you to be patient and help the child take his time.
- If you feel overwhelmed with work, don't hesitate to call the child's parents. Don't feel like you are completely alone or like needing advice means being a babysitter disaster.
- Get informed! Read an article on "cot deaths" (or sudden infant death syndrome) and be aware of which foods can be dangerous for babies.
- Negotiate a fair price for your babysitting services before accepting the job.
- When you are rocking the baby do not force him, instead try to rest his head close to your heart, the beating of a heart is able to calm a baby.
Warnings
- Remember not to shake never a child under any circumstances. You could kill him or cause him serious debilitating brain damage from which he may never be able to recover. Shaking or shaking a baby is a violent act that can come to mind when you get very nervous, for example when a baby doesn't stop crying.
- Whenever you feel very angry or nervous about the baby, put the baby down, in a safe place, stay away for a few minutes and maybe even call someone who can help you, someone you trust and is able to calm down, or the child's parents.
- Remember to Not leave a small child alone in a room. You never know, it could always get hurt. What would parents think when they come home and see that their most precious child has been injured by a distracted babysitter?
- Be very gentle and careful with the baby. When you pull him up, take him gently from under his arms, keep one arm under his butt and the other behind his back. Don't hold it under your arms for a long time as it could hurt. When you make him burp, be very gentle. If you tap too hard on the back you risk hurting him and causing serious damage! A newborn baby is very fragile, especially its forming spine.
