Finding great Baby Sitters is not hard when you know these details

Hiring baby sitters for your youngster can be a frightening prospect. There are hundreds of stories of caretakers who have neglected or worse yet abused the children in their care. Selecting a baby sitter does not have to be a challenging task however, and can be very safe, provided you consider a few key steps before hiring someone.

First and foremost, consider asking family members if they will consider baby sitting for short spells to give you and your partner some much needed relief in the early days or weeks after birth. Rest assured your newborn is likely safe with grandma, who has had several years experience raising children.

If you know many people with children, ask them if they have hired baby sitters in the past with any success. Better yet, see if you can begin a co-op with other parents, where you watch their kids one night in exchange for their services another.

No matter where you find someone, it is important that you leave your baby sitters with a checklist of vital information. This should include the following:

Your cell phone number
The number of your neighbor, close friend or family member in case your baby sitter can't reach you
The phone number of your baby's pediatrician
Contact information for your local poison control center
911 information
Your address, so the baby sitter can give that information to anyone in case of an emergency
A list of any food allergies or drug allergies your baby may have
Feeding instructions
The name and telephone of the restaurant you'll be or the place where you'll be for the evening/day/hour

Provide this information in an easy to find location should an emergency arrive. It might also be nice to provide your baby's companion with some food to snack on and a movie or two to watch if the baby is young and likely to sleep the majority of time you are gone. If your baby is older, you might consider a children's video and some toys.

Another great source for baby sitters is your local community center or YMCA. Consider joining one or two baby play groups. This will provide you some much needed relief, socialization and a chance to meet other parents/potential baby sitters. Many community centers also offer baby sitting services. For a small fee trained care providers will watch your little one for an hour or two while you work out.

******* DISCLAIMER: The information on this Web site is for reference only and is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Although the site's creators and contributors aim to provide the most accurate information, it is your responsibility to verify the validity of any information contained herein. Please check with your infant's pediatrician if you suspect a health problem or medical condition.

Simple Solutions for Baby Sitters Jitters