|
|
 |
|
|
Tips For Making Infant Child Care Work
Make sure your provider knows the important things that you have learned about your infant. Write down your baby's daily schedule, including whether he prefers to sleep on his stomach, side or back, swaddled or loosely clothed. What his feeding schedule is and how quickly or leisurely he eats. You are the expert on your child and have spent hours learning about his unique ways. Your baby and caregiver will adjust to each other more quickly if you share your knowledge
Child care is a partnership between parents and caregiver. It is important to communicate with your caregiver at the beginning and at the end of each day. Make sure you leave extra time both morning and evening to share information about your infant. For example, how well the baby slept last night, when her last bottle was, etc.
Set up regular parent conferences at a convenient time for both you and your child care provider. Talk to your caregiver about the kinds of information you want from her about your baby's day. You may want to ask your provider to keep a daily log of the things you want to know, like her eating and nap schedule, activities, etc.
Infant care works best when there is continuity between home and child care. Bring familiar objects such as soft toys and blankets back and forth. Make sure that feeding is consistent between home and child care.
Jealousy can be real! Your infant will become comfortable with, and love, the caregiver if you have chosen carefully. This love between caregiver and baby helps ensure the best care. It may be hard to share your baby's love, but even very young infants can distinguish between different people, and know and love their own parents best.
Get to know parents of other children in your child care arrangement. Share names and phone numbers early so that you can "compare notes" from time to time, invite children to birthday parties or get together for play times
|
|
