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XP from 6-9 months

Soon2BMrsBoylonSoon2BMrsBoylon member
in Attachment Parenting

Hello ladies, I'm a soon to be mom who babysits and had an interesting situation pop up this weekend that I need some input on.  I posted over on the 6-9 month board and got all CIO answers so was wanting some AP input on this topic as well.  Here goes:

Hi there!  I'm popping over from 2nd tri with a question about babysitting for a newly mobile baby.  I occasionally babysit 3 kids: 6 years, 4.5 years and 9 months.  The 9 month old is now VERY actively crawling and taking steps while holding onto the couch.  My question is now that he is much more mobile, what do I do with him when I need to go to the bathroom?  I understand that what I would do if it were my own child might be different, but from a babysitting/liability standpoint, how do I approach this?  Do I take him in the bathroom with me (don't want to do this for liability reasons)?  Leave the bathroom door open?  I don't want to just stick him in the pack n play because he gets SUPER upset when you do that to the point of screaming, turning bright red, giving himself the hiccups from crying so hard.  It then takes about 10 minutes to soothe and get him to calm down.

I want to keep him safe, but don't want to traumatize the poor little guy either.  It never was a problem before because if I needed to go, I could just go when he was napping, he is older and not napping during the time that I babysit.  Now that I am pregnant, I can't quite hold it for a few hours anymore! Embarrassed  Thank you for your help!

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Re: XP from 6-9 months

  • MrsBeckOMrsBeckO member
    I have been a nanny for 8+ years, and when I had no other choice, the kiddos came into the bathroom with me. I had asked the parents' preferences in the very beginning and they were okay with that. Sometimes there is no other choice. Ideally I would try to wait until naptimes or put the baby in a saucer to play a couple minutes, but I can certainly understand the issue since you're pregnant. Can you ask the parents' what they would prefer you do? Surely they'll understand that you're needing to use the bathroom more often being pregnant.
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  • daenikoffredaenikoffre member

    I guess it depends on his parents, but I assume anyone would rather have their baby in the same room with a woman peeing than in a room alone. Right? 
     
    I'd just bring him in with me and stick him in the bathtub, keeping a few toys in there, and talk to him as your do your business. That's my natural reaction, but if his parents aren't comfortable with something like that, I'd ask them for a suggestion as to what they're comfortable with. 
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  • EcoBabyEcoBaby

    My babysitter just takes DS into the bathroom with her, but she's like family so it's never been an issue. Otherwise, she would leave him in the PNP.

    Can you talk to the parents and ask what they suggest? Surely, they have to put him down sometimes. Can the older kids entertain the baby while you use the bathroom? Is there a babyproofed section of the house you can trust him in?

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  • AndjenAndjen
    My LO is only 3mo so I don't know how much help I can be but can you put them in a jumper or exersaucer?
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  • Soon2BMrsBoylonSoon2BMrsBoylon member
    imageAndjen:
    My LO is only 3mo so I don't know how much help I can be but can you put them in a jumper or exersaucer?
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  • frklsbridefrklsbride member

    i babysit a 1yo and he comes to the bathroom with me....and my 4yo.  it's a party in there

    eta: i don't take them in there on purpose...i just don't lock them out and they always wander in 

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  • Soon2BMrsBoylonSoon2BMrsBoylon member

    imageAndjen:
    My LO is only 3mo so I don't know how much help I can be but can you put them in a jumper or exersaucer?

    Yikes, sorry Bumpfart.  Anyway, they don't have a jumper but the exersaucer elicits the same intense response as the pack & play.  It seems to be an aversion to being "in" something because even if I am right there with him, he does NOT like being in either the saucer or the pack & play.  I didn't get the chance to talk to her about it before I left this weekend so will definitely be giving her a call about it.  Just thought I would get some insight before making the call.

    Thank you for the advice ladies!  While safety is my #1 priority with the kids, I'm only there for a short time, I want their experience to be fun and enjoyable as well so they are okay with Mom and Dad being away for the evening.  The CIO answers from 6-9 months didn't quite fit with that idea.

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  • anabell0920anabell0920 member

    Putting a baby in a safe place while you go to the bathroom and they cry is NOT CIO. 

    I have had to do it with DS and I don't use CIO. It is always better for them to be safe and unhappy for a minute then possibly getting into something dangerous. I just pull whatever I have him in into the bathroom with me or at least the doorway so I can try and keep him distracted if he's upset then just hurry.

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  • EmmieBEmmieB member
    imageanabell0920:

    Putting a baby in a safe place while you go to the bathroom and they cry is NOT CIO. 

    I have had to do it with DS and I don't use CIO. It is always better for them to be safe and unhappy for a minute then possibly getting into something dangerous. I just pull whatever I have him in into the bathroom with me or at least the doorway so I can try and keep him distracted if he's upset then just hurry.

    I agree with this. But I've also taken to sticking him in the tub while I potty, which he thinks is HILARIOUS.

     

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  • EmmieBEmmieB member
    imageanabell0920:

    Putting a baby in a safe place while you go to the bathroom and they cry is NOT CIO. 

    I have had to do it with DS and I don't use CIO. It is always better for them to be safe and unhappy for a minute then possibly getting into something dangerous. I just pull whatever I have him in into the bathroom with me or at least the doorway so I can try and keep him distracted if he's upset then just hurry.

    I agree with this. But I've also taken to sticking him in the tub while I potty, which he thinks is HILARIOUS.

     

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  • MissyOlivePantsMissyOlivePants
    Either take him with or put in crib or pack 'n play or exersaucer.
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  • TDKittyTDKitty

    First, I think you should ask the parents what you should do. If you were babysitting my kid, I'd appreciate you asking, but I would say it's fine to let him cry for a minute or two while you pee.

    Second, my DS just turned 10 mos old, and is as active as you're describing. He is big enough to be able to fall headfirst either into or out of the bathtub, so I don't recommend corraling the baby in there. Also, when I let him come into the bathroom with me, he pulls up on my leg while I'm sitting there and literally tries to climb onto my lap/into the toilet. It is pretty awkward, and he's my kid. I might feel quite weird if he was someone else's child.

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  • jescgrljescgrl member

    With my kids, my livingroom is the most babyproofed room-we have a baby gate blocking anoy other part f the house. My 6 month old is pretty darn good at crawling and starting to pull up-I normally latch the gate and go pee. 

    He would flip out if I put him in the PnP or his crib so, as long as he is content, I let him keep on playing.

    If I were you- and the 6 y/o was there he can surely keep an eye on the itty bitty for such a short amount of time too. 

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