As a new grandparent, you’ve already fallen in love with the adorable grandchild in your life. But sooner or later, the baby's parents are going to ask you to sit for that bundle. Eager as you are to help, it may be many years since you've had responsibility for a baby and you may not be aware of some of the latest approaches to child-safety. That's where our primer comes in. It will help you get up to date with some current child-care practices so that both you and your grandchild's parents can have peace of mind when the baby's left with you for the evening.
Put them "back to sleep"
One of the most fundamental changes in infant care is the “Back to Sleep” campaign, launched in 1994 by a nationwide partnership including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Public Health Service. The experts had discovered that babies who slept on their stomachs were more likely to fall victim to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and so they began promoting this simple counter-strategy: Always place an infant who's less than a year old on her back in the crib.
Keep a clear crib
Resist the temptation to fill your crib with blankets, bumpers and stuffed animals. “The idea that you need lots of fluff in the bed, or lots of things to wrap them up with,” is just wrong, says Luanne Whitmire, a program coordinator at the Greenville (S.C.) Hospital System Children’s Hospital. Those bumpers and fluffy blankets are really just cuddly invitations for trouble, including, in the worst-case scenario, suffocation.
"You need to learn what a safe sleeping scenario is for a child,” says Debra Holtzman, author of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2004). When it comes to the crib, she notes, “less is better." Keep his sleeping area clean and unencumbered. If it's chilly, instead of piling on the blankets, dress the baby in a sleep sack (a wearable, zip-up blanket) and if you must have more, use just a light receiving blanket tucked in very tightly around him.
Get seat smart
Today’s car seats are dramatically different from the ones you used when you had your children. You may not have even used one at all. But federal laws have changed greatly, and today all infants must ride in rear-facing seats with multi-point harnesses. If you're going to be driving your new grandchild around, you'll need to purchase one and install it properly. Don't even think about using the old car seat in the attic or the one you just saw at a yard sale. “Car seats expire,” Whitmire says. “That’s something even new parents don’t know until they’re told.”
Follow the menu
In 1965, less than 30 percent of women breastfed their newborns. By 2001, that number had risen to almost 70 percent, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. That means you may be entering into foreign territory at feeding time. Ask your grandchild's parents for a tutorial on storing, handling and feeding breast milk, and be sure to find out their feelings on supplementing with formula, before you babysit.
Manage your medication
Be mindful of medications when babysitting, both those you may have to give the child, and those you keep on hand for yourself.
If parents ask you to give medication to a grandchild, be sure they leave you clearly written instructions with the dosage amount, time of day and delivery technique, says Dorothy L. Smith, president of the Consumer Health Information Corp. in McLean, Va. Record the times and procedures you use to medicate the child, and watch for any signs of allergic reactions, such as itching, hives, coughing or difficulty breathing. If any occur, call the child's pediatrician immediately. (Never let a grown child leave you an infant without their pediatrician's emergency number.)
At the same time, keep all of your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, locked away and out of reach, and be sure also to check places you might forget but that little hands could still explore, such as pockets or purses.
Swallow your pride
This may be the toughest but most important piece of advice we can offer: Yes, you’ve been raising kids since your children were born, maybe even longer. But many basic child-care assumptions and procedures have changed since then, and your adult children have put a lot of time into learning what will work best for their children. No matter how much you think you know, follow the wishes of your grandchild's parents. Your children will appreciate it — and invite you to baby-sit again soon.
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