Working with Infants

Working with infants can be both wonderful and frustrating at the same time.  The good news it that all babies have  the same basic needs. They need to eat, they need to sleep, they need time to play . . . and they need to dirty some diapers!  The tricky part comes when you realize that all babies are just a little bit different.

FEEDING

• Encourage a nursing mother not to become discouraged. Babies must learn how to breast feed. Serve formula at room temperature and be sure to burp babies often.
• Never use a microwave to heat a bottle as it heats unevenly and could cause burns to the baby’s mouth. Never prop a baby’s bottle! This can cause choking if the baby can’t move to take a break from sucking.

SLEEPING

• Newborns sleep about 17 hours every day—usually two to three hours at a time. Babies shouldn’t be expected to put themselves to sleep until they are at least 3 to 4 months old.
• When putting babies to bed, always lay them on their backs!  It helps reduce the risk of SIDS. Don’t put pillows, stuffed animals or too many loose blankets in the crib with baby. The baby could suffocate on these items.

CHANGING DIAPERS

• Keep in mind that each baby has its own schedule, but if a baby has several “poop free” days in a row, let your supervisor know about it. Remember that most babies have at least 6 wet diapers a day.
• Do not use baby powder or cornstarch. These substances may irritate the baby’s lungs. Try not to put the diaper on too tightly. Not only will the baby be unhappy, but the diaper could irritate or break the baby’s skin.

PLAYING

• Try to give babies the opportunity to move around. Put a blanket on the floor and let the baby wiggle and kick. Remember not to leave the baby alone.
• Avoid giving babies any small toys or objects—or toys that could break into smaller pieces.  Never leave a baby unattended in a swing or bouncer.

BATHING

• Be sure to have all the necessary supplies—washcloth, soap, towel, diapers and clean clothes—ready within your reach before you begin the bath. Bathe the cleanest parts first. Start with the eyes and head, then work your way down to the feet, saving the genitals and anal area for last.
• Never leave a baby alone during a bath!  It takes just seconds for a baby to drown, even in less than one inch of water. Test the bath water to prevent burning baby’s tender skin with water that is too hot.