When we first sent Jack to daycare, I wrote up a one-page “guide” describing how to care for him. I figured this would be great to have around because the daycare provider might not remember everything we told her and we could keep it on hand for the occcasional babysitter. It has worked pretty well for us, I have to say. If you are as neurotic as I am, and happen to need a quick write-up for a caregiver, perhaps you will find it helpful, as well!
I updated this version when Jack was about 7 months old.
Jack R. born 7/13/06
Mom: Crystal, cell # xxx-xxxx
Dad: Joe, cell # xxx-xxxx
Pediatrician: Dr. H, xxx-xxxx
Food: Jack eats primarily breastmilk. He is fed on demand with a bottle. In general, he will take a two-ounce bottle every two hours, and he will usually take his first bottle right before his first nap (9ish). He should sit fairly upright while being fed, and be burped after each feeding. (Note: please swirl breastmilk to mix – do not shake. Submerge bottle in hot water to warm.) If he still seems hungry after 2 ounces, you can offer him more 0.5 ounces at a time. It is rare for him to eat more than 3 ounces at a time.
Sleep: Jack usually takes naps two times during the day. His morning nap is around 9 or 9:30, and his afternoon nap is about 3 hours after he wakes from his morning nap. It is not unusual for him to throw a third nap in during the day, as well.
He shows the classic signs of being tired: rubbing eyes, yawning, fussing. Also, redness around his eyes are a sure sign that he is ready to sleep.
Jack gets “bounced/swayed” to sleep while lying sideways in our arms, pacifier in mouth, and usually while being “shhhed.” He is used to sleeping on the bed with covers pulled to his waist. He also sleeps with a fan on at home for white noise but can sleep without it. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get him down to sleep. If his eyelids don’t look heavy after about 5 minutes, you might want to wait twenty or so minutes before trying again.
Soothing: Shhhing, swaying, sucking on a pacifier, a dark and quiet room, being held in an infant carrier – all of these things help calm Jack down. He can often be distracted from fussiness by funny noises, raspberries on the belly, or toys that make noise.
Development: Jack can reach for things, and likes to lunge to grab things he is interested in. He can sit without support, roll over freely and “creep” occasionally. He loves to sit in a bumbo chair or high chair.
Jack is teething and we deal with this in a variety of ways. We offer things for him to chew on, administer teething tablets or Orajel, hold him and hug him, and if he seems to be especially fussy and those methods are not effective, we administer pain reliever.
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