Getting Help

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.

This content has been provided freely by CMC. Click Healthy Start, Grow Smart—Your-Twelve-Month-Old for your free download. Click GreatDad Free Ebook to download the entire Health Start, Grow Smart series.

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