Caregiver Danger Signsby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 13 Jun 2008 07:29 PM
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. Related Articles: Law Aimed at Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantbaby tags User Comments Trev (57) 13 Jun 2008 08:27 PMWhile I agree with the last two, I'm not sold on the face down SIDS thing. It's seems like only a little while ago we were all told to never let the baby sleep on their back because they could choke on their spit up. Is laying the baby on their side next? We have a three month old and we now have her sleep face down most nights (she sleeps better that way). I'd be more scared if she slept with bumpers where she could rebreathing. Trev Check out our family's blog: http://elliotts.eachday.com PDeverit (283) 13 Jun 2008 10:21 PMI also think its VERY important to trust your intuition. Sometimes people who come with glowing references can be hazardous to your child. During the child-abuse crises involving priests that Catholics had to face, many of the perpetrators were bounced from parish to parish with the help of such letters of referrals. I really think your intuition is a valuable tool in discerning such matters.  Mary Ann Romans (26886) 14 Jun 2008 04:38 AMTrev, many studies have shown that back sleeping reduces the risk of infant mortality. The AAP recommends that the baby sleep on her back in the same room (but not bed) as the parent when she is a newborn. Once the baby can roll over on her own, it is a different story. SIDS is not well understood, and there may be many factors that contribute to it. Mary Ann Romans (26886) 14 Jun 2008 04:39 AMYou make a great point PDeverit! A parent's intuition is a powerful weapon when protecting your child. simone33 (45) 22 Jun 2008 04:06 PMdon't ever hire teenagers...they are usually way too young...tv now has new shows that are just about this...i think it's called baby borrowers...weird name...i know...my son told me about it... Mary Ann Romans (26886) 23 Jun 2008 11:40 AMOoh, I can't stand the concept of that baby borrowers show! Community Tags baby, caregiver, day care, finding a babysitter, safety, sids Discuss this article
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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.
