How to prepare a Baby-Sitter "checklist" when having a sitter watch your baby

If you must employ a baby sitter to watch over your baby then it is vital to leave a checklist of various points for the sitter to remember and safety precautions. Even the most experienced baby sitter needs instructions. Before you head out for your evening be confident that you sitter is familiar with the following list items:

1. Which toy is your baby's favorite to help sooth him or her.
2. What foods that your baby can and cannot eat.
3. What to do and where to go in case of the fire alarm going off or if there is a fire present in the home.
4. Where the candles and flashlight are stored in case of a blackout.
5. Where your first aid kit is stored in the house.
6. Rules concerning any pets that you may have an their habits.
7. A separate list of baby safety rules.
8. The set up of your kitchen, the living room, the baby's room, etc. and all other important facts about your home (such as a burglar alarm that might trip off).
9. Any unusual and unexpected habits of your baby that the baby sitter may not expect or is uncommon with. This may include, but not limited to, excessive spitting up, irregular bowel movements, crying during particular situations, how best they fall asleep, etc.
10. Exactly how you would prefer the baby sitter to clean and wipe your baby. For example you may have a certain technique that the baby is more comfortable with, prefer to only use particular types of wipes, spread on certain ointments for the baby, etc.
11. How your baby is most easily calmed, whether by rocking the baby, specific sounds, etc.
12. How your baby's favorite way to sleep is.
13. Where the baby's extra clothing is stored in case the baby needs changing.
14. How to give your baby it's bottle, whether it is expressed milk or supplement.
15. Your policy on have visitors in your home besides the sitter.

As you can see there are many little details that you must communicate on with your baby sitter. You are literally leaving the life of you baby in the sitters hands so by all means take the time to be as detail oriented with your list.