Infant safety guidelines to share with nanny

[Anonymous]

I saw our nanny dozing off while holding my newborn, and told her she can’t do that again. I realized we hadn’t discussed infant safety guidelines since she began caring for my older child a couple years ago. The other main thing that comes to mind is that babies need to be laid down to sleep on their backs. Also, the baby can only be left unattended if the monitor is being used. When the time comes for starting solids and riding in the car, we’ll discuss food those issues. Am I missing anything else? This stuff is so second nature to me, it’s not something I consciously think about.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you need a new nanny. All of what you described is common knowledge any childcare provider should know.

[Anonymous]

Does your nanny have infant experience at all? I'd be horrified if I was paying someone and they didn't know basic information like "don't fall asleep holding my newborn."

[Anonymous]

She has limited experience with a newborn. I think she probably does know these basic safety guidelines but I want to be explicit so she knows what’s expected. If she was new to us, I would have fired her over this. However, she has otherwise been very trustworthy.

I also feel like it would be hypocritical to immediately fire her over this because DH dozes off while holding the baby and I haven’t fired him…

[Anonymous]

If your DH is too tired then he should not be holding the newborn. You should hire a nanny who will not fall asleep on the job.

[Anonymous]

Don't ever put a Bumbo on top of a piece of furniture with the baby in it. Keep a hand on a baby when they're in the changing table at all times.

Is she bathing the baby? I always worried a ton in bathrooms with infants bc so many hard surfaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't ever put a Bumbo on top of a piece of furniture with the baby in it. Keep a hand on a baby when they're in the changing table at all times.

Is she bathing the baby? I always worried a ton in bathrooms with infants bc so many hard surfaces.

Thank you! No she doesn’t bathe the baby, and one of my rules will be that she isn’t to do it by herself. I feel like it’s a 2 person job when they’re this tiny.