[ookissnhugsoo]

I am going to be the nanny of a 4 month old boy. I need some help and advice on how to take care of him. Im 21 I used to babysit when I was 17 and 18 but I don't remember a whole lot, and the youngest I ever took care of was 4 years old. When do I change his diaper? How do I burp him? Help please!

[Wondergirl]

Who hired you to be a nanny with no experience with babies?? There's far more to babycare than putting food in and cleaning up when it comes out.

This job is not for you.

[curlybenswife]

Funny Wondergirl my alarm bells are ringing too, it certaibly doesn't say much for the parents of the child hell I would be running a mile not saying here look after my baby.

[J_9]

I with the others here. Why apply for a job you are not qualified for?

[tawnynkids]

Although I TOTALLY agree with everyone above, the fact is she has been hired so I think maybe some helpful advice would be best for the baby.

You change the baby before every feeding typically or whenever the baby has a soiled or fairly wet diaper, if between feedings.

There are several ways to burp a baby:
Hold baby upright against your chest with baby's head above one side of you shoulder, start at the bottom of the back and pat firmly but gently in an upward motion to the top of the back.
Side sit baby, in a siting up position, across your lap and pat the same way.
Lay baby sideways, tummy down, across your legs and pat again the same way.
Those are a few of the most used techniques.

Next run, RUN, to your major local book store and pick a book on child care. "On Becoming Baby Wise" is an excellent choice. It can also be purchased on amazon.com. It covers a lot of topics from bathing, to napping, to schedules/routines, to feeding and beyond. I would also go to your local college or community center and sign yourself up for a CPR class and basic babysitting/child care education class as well. They are usually for a small fee and only a few classes long but will give you all the basics at least.

Here is an online class (may not be for your area specifically but you will get the info just the same): What We Teach at Babysittingclass.com
There is a link in there where you can look up what your specific state requirements are for child care.

[shygrneyzs]

Some online helps include:
WalMart - FamilyEducation.com
5 Symptoms Moms Can Relax About (and 4 to Never Ignore) - Redbook
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/early-...ild+activities
Fact Sheet: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products
MedlinePlus Health Information from the National Library of Medicine - a good health web site
Newborn Baby Birth - Baby care for infants - New babies and parents feelings
Taking Care of Baby

About CPR and First Aid - contact your local Red Cross for class times. American Heart Association teaches CPR but not First Aid. You can call your local hospital and see if they are sponsoring classes and if they are holding a babysitting training. There is a curriculum through the Red Cross for babaysitters too. Go to your library and look for videos/dvd's on child care/family care/raising children. Look for books by such noted authors and child development specialists such as Dr. Terry Brazelton.

From Google - child development - Google Search - links to articles on child development topics. A good idea would be for you to start your own collection of articles and reference sheets. You could contact your local Public Health Agency and ask for information they have regarding care of a baby. There are many different kinds of handouts they have. Or if you know of a pediatrician - call his or nurse and ask for recommendations on materials to read.

Your goal is to learn about health, safety, nutrition, nurturing, baby smart environments, and developmentally appropriate activities.

Some national agencies:
Zero to Three: Zero to Three Home Page
NNCC Homepage
SRCD - Society for Research in Child Development
Home - Parents as Teachers

[Homegirl 50]

Good advice, but I think she should resign from the job. A baby is not something you want to be experimenting with. And she owes the parents of that child some honesty.
My advice, come clean with these people. Don't let them leave their precious one with you.