Baby Sitter Checklist

New parents find it especially hard to leave the baby with a sitter the first time going out. Let's face it, your children are your most precious asset and you cannot entrust them to the care of just anyone. You have taken great care in choosing someone to care for your child while you are out, now you should take pains to be sure they have all the tools they need to give you peace of mind while you are away.

Having some quality time away from the kids is important. It can help you relax and enjoy yourself, which ultimately helps you be a better parent. Here is a babysitter checklist of things to do before you go out so you can truly relax and have a good time.

Early arrival

Have the sitter show up about 30 minutes ahead of time to play with your child so they can get used to one another. Show the babysitter your baby's favorite toys and games. Show him or her how your baby likes to be held and swaddled as well.

The Little Things

Take time to tell your sitter the little things that matter to you. Is it okay to give the baby a pacifier? Is television allowed? If so, which shows are appropriate for your child? Is it alright for the sitter to go online while the baby is sleeping? Take time to lay down the ground rules in a checklist so there will be no misunderstandings later.

The Big Things

It is important to write down your child's feeding schedule, including how much to give and when. Ask the sitter to write down diaper changes and how well the baby did at feedings. Make sure your sitter knows what time the baby should go to bed for the night. Avoid the temptation to ask the sitter to call you with updates. You really need to relax while you are out. Your sitter should be told to call you for questions or emergencies, but otherwise, no news should be good news.

Safety

You should leave a list of important numbers on a separate piece of paper in plain sight for the sitter. Include numbers for emergency, poison control and of course, your cell phone number. It may be a good idea to include your spouse's number too, in case you have a problem getting a signal where you will be. Include the street address of your home on the paper for easy reference. List any allergies or medications for your child as well.

Once you have followed the steps in this babysitter checklist, it will be much easier for you to enjoy your time away and feel secure that your child is being well cared for.