How to Prep for Your First Babysitter

The first time you hire a babysitter for your baby can be stressful. It may be the first time you’ve left your baby in someone else’s hands for more than a few minutes. Preparing beforehand and setting the babysitter up for success can ease your mind and help you enjoy your time out. 

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Leave Out Favorite Items

First, make sure your child’s favorite items are out and available. These could be favorite toys, books, a receiving blanket, or a coloring book and crayons. Your child will be more at ease with their favorite items out and ready to play or snuggle with, which will give the babysitter an easier time caring for your baby. 

 Prepare Food

Depending on how old your baby is, from infant to toddler, you may want to prepare food for the babysitter. This might be bottles of milk or formula, or it could be solid food meals. Whatever your child normally eats, make sure it’s ready for the babysitter to heat and give to your baby. Make sure you have bottles, baby bibs, utensils, no-spill cups, and everything else you usually use at mealtime on hand, and that the babysitter knows where to find them. On top of this, you may want to consider preparing food for the babysitter, too. It can be something simple that they just have to microwave or throw in the oven, but it should be something foolproof. 

 List Routines

What is your child’s regular mealtime routine? Bath routine? Bedtime routine? Do they do the same things in the same order each night? A babysitter should follow your baby’s regular routines so that your little one feels everything is normal. For example: Eat at 6 p.m., bath at 7 p.m., out of the tub by 7:15 p.m., and then in bed for storytime before lights out. Note the timeline of a typical day.

 Leave Emergency Contact Info

Attach a sheet of paper to the refrigerator with all of the contact information your babysitter will need. Your phone number, your spouse’s phone number, and the names and phone numbers of at least two neighbors or family members is a good start. Include where you will be and how long you expect to be there. List your current address. Include your pediatrician’s contact information and any emergency after-hours phone numbers. List your little one’s age and any known allergies or health instructions, such as how to use an EpiPen or diet restrictions. Leave phone numbers for local police, the fire department, and poison control as well. 

 How-To Notes

Leave notes on how to work electronics, such as your TV system. If there are specific ways to access movies or Netflix so your child can watch their favorite movies while you are away, provide instructions and a list of approved movies or shows. Make sure they know where the fire extinguisher, circuit breakers, flashlights, and any emergency supplies are.

You should now be ready to go and enjoy some time away. Let go of the guilt, trust in the babysitter, and have fun. 

 About aden + anais

Since 2006, aden + anais has been offering versatile, practical, and cute baby essentials for both new and seasoned parents. Their signature cotton muslin baby blankets are favorites of parents and gift-givers alike. The super-soft blankets double as stroller covers, swaddles, changing pads, and burp cloths. aden + anais’ products are made with a focus on comfort, simplicity, and style, and always developed with safety in mind. With high-quality, effortlessly stylish offerings including swaddles, baby bibs, blankets, burp cloths, and more, aden + anais has the perfect products for you and your baby.

Shop all of aden + anais’ baby essentials at Adenandanais.com

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