Need Advice!

[apples and bananas]

I've recieved a request to care for a 6 week old child. Short days, 8 - 3. I currently have a good mix but all older then 18 months. So, on my worst day I have an 18 month old, 2 X 22 months old and a 3 year old.


I have never taken anyone under 12 months.

Could you handle it?

What should I expect for a 6 weeks old?

Your experiences?

[DisneyPrincess]

I dont have the experience, but obviously your routine might change somewhat, this little they need more attention : more diaper change, more feeding, more bottle time, naptimes might be different, more times in your harms (hey thats a good think :D), plus more baby equipment around so you need the space. I would have the parents supply most of the stuff though, I wouldnt spend the money for a swing for example. Plus the schedule as to be clear by the parents and the ''lunchbox'' with baby food and baby bottles ready to use (all you need is warm up) then you give all back at the end of the day and brings it all back the next day. I would probably just charge 5$ more a day for all the extra attention for baby needs but ... I know places charge way more.

Hey I love them this small, I would do it :D

[Skysue]

Just my opinion but I feel that there is way too much liability involed in watching one so young.

[jodaycare]

I would do it in a heart beat. I have had a child in my care at 8 weeks or age, and when I worked in the centre we had them as young as six weeks. Back then Mat leave was only six months. I actually think that age is easier, they sleep a lot. When I first started my home daycare I had my daughter (7mths), a three month old and an 8 month old. It was great they all took two naps and were on the same schedule pretty much.

[sunnydays]

I wouldn't do it myself because there is more risk of a child that age dying from SIDS or other complications that can arise. Plus, it would throw naptime off as it is hard to get them sleeping on a schedule at that age. Plus the poop like ten times a day..that`s a lot of diaper changing!

[monkeymama]

Im honestly not sure what I would do. I think I would probably sit down and write out the pros/cons. I love the idea of getting to care for a child for so long and see them hit so many milestones. It would definitly have a huge affect on the way your program runs tho as others have mentioned. Babies that age need a lot from you. I would recommend a baby carrier to keep your hands free for other children and then baby can still get skin-on-skin connection with you. I recently started an 11 month old dcg and my son has been quite jealous of her so I dont think a baby that young would work for me at this stage, but it could be very wonderful! Just stay organized and on top of everything

[Spixie33]

That is a tough one. Babies can be easier to care for in some ways but you also have to carry them constantly and feeding them while holding them etc would tie up your hands. I think not having the use of my hands to help other kids would a tough one.
I have pretty active dcks and they always need something. I can't imagine how it would fit with my group personally. It would be hard to look after the kids, read stories, do crafts, prep meals etc all while having a baby who is unpredictable in terms of when they would cry etc. I would probably need a swing to get some free time and I don't think I would be willing to add a swing to my set up/house and have it take up so much room.
It is too bad that the mom can't take the mat leave in this case because the child will grow up so fast and the first year really is amazing to see.
Good luck with what you decide.
Just keep in mind that you are probably going to be potty training those 22 month olds soon and you will be pretty busy!! :)

[Inspired by Reggio]

Oh I remember the days when it was common to get them that young ~ 17 weeks was the mat leave and if the mama had to go off on mat leave 'before' the baby arrived it cut into the time afterward ... and we use to get a lot of 'grad students' who would plan their baby for end of the spring semester be home on mat leave for the 10 weeks of summer and return to school for the Fall semester!

I am not sure if I would want one that tiny working along at home ~ in centre care at least EVERYONE was the same age and you basically just assembly lined their eating, diapers, sleeping and repeated it several times through out the day and someone came in and relieved you for a break and lunch when they did not all sleep at the same time ... heck I use to be able to feed 3 children a bottle all at the same time lining them up in the feeding chairs and holding two bottles with my hands and the third propped up while rocking them with a foot so they felt they had some 'attention' too .. yup fun times! :woot:

[mimi]

Oh I love the little ones too, but I wouldn't do it. Everything we do is geared for one year old plus. It is too bad Mom can't stay home with her child. This is an amazing time for parents and child.

[apples and bananas]

Thank you to all.

It's only 3 days a week and I only have 2 others on those days. Its also a short day, only 8 - 3. So it might not be too bad. I may do it on a trial basis and see how we do. I'm charging a premium, but it's easy to get blinded by $$$

I appreciate your feed back.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Good luck ~ I know that many providers return to work with their OWN week 6 week old and are able to make it work so this would be no different.

My one peer when she went back to work her infant just went around with the rest of the group doing school drop offs and babe napped in the stroller or infant carseat as needed for morning and she breastfed her out and about and so forth and than was home to sleep in her own bed for afternoon naps as needed.

[Momof4]

Apples&B, I would do it for 3 days/week and shorter days. The youngest child who started with me was about 4 1/2 months of age and they were one of my best clients ever and still come to visit. I set her in the swing that I had set up in the room in a safe place when I was busy so I didn't have to worry about laying her down. It worked great for me.