BF baby and daycare/sitter

rc525 · August 2014

I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered before. Searching didn't bring up anything...

For those of you who have breastfed babies at daycare, do you have your provider write down all of baby's specifics? When he/she ate, how much, dirty diapers, naps, etc? DD is being watched by a babysitter in her home (no other kids there), so she gets one on one attention. I just don't want to be a P.I.T.A. for the babysitter, but I also want to make sure DD's having enough dirty diapers, make sure I'm pumping enough (which I know I can tell by what comes back for bottles), all that stuff. I'm kinda type A, so I always track this when I have DD, but should I just let it go while she's being watched?

amroke · August 2014

Why would it be any different for breastfed babies versus formula fed?

rc525 · August 2014

amroke said:

Why would it be any different for breastfed babies versus formula fed?

I guess I was thinking more along the lines for pumping and knowing how much I needed to pump, but you're right - it'd be the same for FF babies.

usernewname · August 2014

If she's the only kid you could ask. But honestly it's a PITA. Type A or not.

You could tell her the norms and to let you know when something isn't right. But your DCP will learn your kid pretty quick and will know when somethings up.

Mimaloo · August 2014

florassecret said:

If she's the only kid you could ask. But honestly it's a PITA. Type A or not. You could tell her the norms and to let you know when something isn't right. But your DCP will learn your kid pretty quick and will know when somethings up.

All of this.

amroke · August 2014

My daycare tells us when they ate and how much, times of diaper changes and whether they were wet, dry, or poopy, nap times and length of nap. And they do that for a whole class, so I can't see how asking someone to do it who is only watching your kid would be a big deal.

sparklingdiamond · August 2014

Mine doesn't tell me that stuff, but will tell me any important things. She will also usually tell me the last time he ate and whether he had a good nap or not.

rc525 · August 2014

Thanks for the input everyone! It's helpful to know what others are doing since I have nothing to go by, and I didn't want to be out of line asking for written info. I'm thinking I may have the babysitter keep track of things for a few weeks since this is only DD's 2nd week of being watched. Then once everyone gets familiarized with this new routine and each other, possibly drop the written reports.

mrsbtobe20122 · August 2014

amroke said:
My daycare tells us when they ate and how much, times of diaper changes and whether they were wet, dry, or poopy, nap times and length of nap. And they do that for a whole class, so I can't see how asking someone to do it who is only watching your kid would be a big deal.

This is how I feel. We get a daily "report card" of all of the above from our day care-- I like it, esp since my MIL picks up and I am not home til 8:00pm and don't get to talk one on one at pick up.

Arinias · August 2014

I use two separate in home daycares. My primary one has a card they fill out with how many diapers, when he slept, and how mucha nd when he ate. They also put down activities for the day. My back up daycare does not do this. She will usually tell em everything when I pick up but if DH picks up I never really know the particulars. I still keep track of all his eating and diapers so I really like getting our little form. And it lets me know I am pumping enough to keep up with him. I think if you wrote up a simple form for her to fill in it should not be a big deal.

Nikkipal82 · August 2014

My sitter writes everything out. I actually ended up telling her she didn't need to write so much, and I think we've found a good balance. I think it is fair to want to know how much my child has eaten, and how many wet/dirty diapers, as well as an idea about sleep. May be a PITA, but I am paying for one on one care, and I don't think it's too much to ask. I may feel differently asking if it were a family member watching her for free. A simple spreadsheet/form may be easier to do for some, and easier for you to interpret, I've just been too lazy to make one up.

usernewname · August 2014

jkanter107 said:

My daycare tells us when they ate and how much, times of diaper changes and whether they were wet, dry, or poopy, nap times and length of nap. And they do that for a whole class, so I can't see how asking someone to do it who is only watching your kid would be a big deal.
I agree 100%. It takes 2 seconds to jot this stuff down. I can't imagine why a provider would have any issues.

I'm sorry but it takes more than 2 seconds. For one child yes, for several children it takes a while. Then it took me away from the children and I didn't find that fair. In addition to cleaning up, preparation, other paperwork etc. Its a lot ... but if the DCP is open to doing it wonderful ... I just find it a PITA and I am there to be with the children.

Also, I would much rather talk to the parents about their day and their child's day. Get to know them. I am caring for their children, I like to be more than just the formal DCP. It just seems so impersonal to me to write it down on a sheet.

I've also seen a lot of co workers just fill in the form with whatever. Sad, but happens.

ETA: I'm just offering my 2C and another perspective from the DCP POV rather than a parent.

melbjorkman17 · August 2014

Our daycare center uses an app that I paid $5 for that is for android or iPhones. It tracks everything for very specific information (activity, milestones, etc.) but they do the general naps, diapers and feedings and shows when she is picked up or dropped off. I love that they have it and they are the ones that started it and told me to download it, if you don't do the app they still have a paper slip they send home. But I love the app because if I plan on picking her up early I know if she's sleeping currently or anything else. It also has a messaging feature so when she's low on diapers or wipes they make a quick note and I can see/respond to it when I check the app. My husband picks her up so any report I got before the app came from his mouth and he didn't always care about the details, where I can check the app and get a good idea of how her day went. The name of the app is Daily Connect. I think anybody can download it and set it up as a daycare provider or parent. So maybe if its a family member or small provider you could suggest that? Seems quicker and easier than paper and easier to manage.

britab · August 2014

DD is going to an in-home provider. She will be the only infant. The provider is fine with us sending a form she will fill out. I'm worried since DD still hates bottles!

usernewname · August 2014

jkanter107 said:

@florassecret‌ I agree with you that it takes time for several children & I absolutely appreciate that you take the time to discuss the children 1:1, I wish everyone did! I meant for the "2 seconds" part of my comment to be directed at the OP since she said her child will be the only one the babysitter is caring for - in her instance I don't think it's a PITA to keep track of these details. Apologies if it didn't come off that way.

You didn't come off in any way that seemed negative, I got what you meant. As a 1 on 1, absolutely details can be shared and tracked. And in a home its different then a centre - so many silly things to do!

melbjorkman17 ... an app you say. Please share more!

usernewname · August 2014

Neat. I keep saying all paperwork should be on tablets (even our internal paperwork and files) ... so much wasted paper. And spending too much time organizing binders!

apinkpelican · August 2014

We are sent home with this report card. I love it. Helps me know how she's doing and how much she is eating. I think it's especially important in the beginning when a mom is analyzing everything. Just makes me feel more comfortable and involved. Ratio is 3 babies to 1 caretaker. Her teacher also gave me her cell today and said she's happy to answer calls and send pics throughout the day

spinsoffresonance · August 2014

mary97 said:
My daughter is in daycare and each day there is a form filled out by us and by the staff. We fill out when she woke, ate and last diaper change. They fill out when she napped and for how long, ate and how much, diaper changes wet or dirty. They even write down her activity. .

DD1's daycare did the same.

danabsd · August 2014

If you pay her to watch your kid the least she can do is keep a diaper bottle record. Who cares if it's a PITA for her. Like I said, she's being paid something should be holding her accountable.

melbjorkman17 · August 2014

@florassecret The app is called DailyConnect. It cost me $4.99 on the app store for my Iphone but I really like it. I think anybody can download it and you just set it up as a provider. All two girls that watch my daughter at daycare have access to it and so do I. its an interactive app so at any time you can log that she is sleeping, had a diaper, what activity shes doing, and so much more. So when I open the app it shows if shes napping and when she last ate and everything. We only use the app during the week while shes at daycare but you can use it to track all day and weekends if you want to track her feedings and diapers too. I really like it and like that I can see what shes up to at any time of the day instead of waiting to pick her up. Worth looking into

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