Ask someone you trust to care for your baby. The first time you have a sitter, ask the person to come a half hour before you leave so you can show the sitter around your house and tell the sitter about your baby's routine. Write this information down and put it in a folder for the sitter. Tell the sitter about your baby: What usually happens at this time of day? What are your baby's favorite toys and activities? How does your baby tell you that she is hungry, sleepy, or wet? What do you do to calm your baby? How do you feed, burp, diaper, or place your baby in the crib? Always place your baby in the crib on her back with no pillows or toys. Where are all the things that the sitter will need for a diaper change, warming a bottle, or changing clothes? Show the sitter around the house and where these items are: telephones, flashlight, smoke detectors and fire escapes, emergency phone numbers, outside doors, first-aid kit. Provide the sitter these phone numbers: where you can be reached, your baby's doctor, neighbors or close family members, 911 or emergency response system such as fire or police, Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). (Locate your nearest Poison Center.) Also provide the babysitter with the address of your house, address of the nearest emergency room, and a signed consent form authorizing medical care within certain limits if you cannot be reached.

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