what would you do if someone put their child in a laundry basket to sleep (baby)?

Question

this is why i ask...a good friend of my moms just became a grandma, her son is 21 and the mother is 16 (yea) anyway since this child has been born these two have not really done anything for him, they litterally make his mom do and threaten her by saying if she doesnt she cant see him anymore. (both her son and the mother have behavior problems and have to be on meds) well the baby was born early and weighed a little over 4 lbs then instead of gaining he lost and ended up in the hospital, where neither of the parents stayed with him they made his mom once again. baby is 2 months old and they take him to the hospital at least once a week and MAKE them keep him, and they dont stay there. if any of that wasnt upsetting enough to anyone, the grandma isnt much better, they dont have a crib for him so he usually sleeps in his car seat, two nights ago she actually told my mom she put him in a laundry basket to sleep, they dont clean they have cat and dog poop all over the house,

its just not sanitary! i feel like i should do something but i am not sure what!

Mandy S
i understand your concern for the hospital and their rules, because i thought the same thing, but they find reasons to get the hospital to keep him and then they call his mom to come get them from the hospital i have been with his mother when this has happened, even the doctors have said well i guess we can keep him for obsevation, so they know something is going on they just arent doing anything either! its so horrible.

Answer 1

It's clear that this really isn't about the laundry basket, but the general care of the child in a whole. Your concerns are right. That child is under serious abuse and neglect. If nothing is done the baby could die or grow up having problems. You probably are feeling a little hesitant in reporting them because you don't want anyone to know it was you and get mad at you. That wouldn't happen. Your name is kept confidential. You would feel worse if something bad did happen to the baby that you could have prevented. Just call the Child Protective Agency and let them check it out. If there isn't anything wrong going on then that's OK they would rather get a false alarm then miss a call and lose the life of an innocent child. Please call. What you are hearing about the baby is not normal and not OK. Act fast.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

All the other issues aside, I don't see THAT huge a problem with a baby sleeping in a laundry basket. As long as he's not put in there with dirty clothes, and isn't put in there with pillows or anything else he could suffocate on, the laundry basket isn't really unsafe.

I've personally had my child sleep in the infant carrier when he was a baby, especially when we were out of town. He was comfy.

All the other stuff, yes, it sounds like there are some serious problems.

I do wonder, though, if you are being completely objective. The couple cannot "MAKE" the hospital keep the baby, and if he were being brought up there that often, and they don't stay with them, the hospital would report it, especially after it's happened more than a few times. The hospital will not double as a babysitter, so I just wonder if you're getting the story accurate when you say the parents "make" the hospital take the baby.

When my toddler was in the hospital for pneumonia, I was up there almost the entire time. It was required by the hospital that one of us be there, except for short breaks (during naptime). I know the same rule goes for a different hospital, in a different state, where my nephew was admitted for severe infection.

Now, with infants, I suppose they would be allowed to be gone a LITTLE more, seeing as the neonatal and infant ward is staffed with nurses round-the-clock, but once again, the parents don't get to make the call and "make" the hospital keep a child if there's nothing that needs to be done for him.

If you truly feel strongly about it, call your local child/family agency (it goes by different names in different states: ACS, CPS, CWS, etc.) You can leave an anonymous tip, but I would suggest you give your name and contact information, so they can contact you to ask further questions. I know from personal experience, they take calls more seriously if the caller leaves a phone number.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about the situation. As for your first question sleeping in a laundry basket is better and safer than them sleeping in their cars seat. Especially when they are little. THe angle that their head is at restricts air flow and some children have stopped breathing. I watched this on the news the other day.

Anyways, have you talked to the grandmother of the child? I would recommened that she adopt the child (take custody) but since you mentioned she is not doing to well herself i cant see that being the solution. But i would talk to her about the situation, chances are she sees things the same way as you, but does not know what to do either. Do they have other relatives, Aunts, Uncles, older cousins? I do not think it is in the best interest for the child to stay with the mother or the son. Rather than entering the child into the system it would be better for the child to get relocated within the family. Especially if there are mental health issues that might effect the child later in life. THis way the child will still have info or access to their families medical history. Sorry I dont have a fast simple answer. I do agree that somthing should be done. They cant look after themselves or their animals how are they suppose to raise a child? I hope everything turns out in the end.

If talking with the grandmother does not work then i would still call someone a file a complaint against the parents.

Good luck and good health to you!

Answer 4

The baby sleeping in the basket isn't a big deal but there's a bigger issue here that requires some intervention. I would suggest that you call CPS right away. I know it's hard to see a baby taken away from it's parents but It sounds to me that If you don't, this baby will have no chance at a healthy love filled life that it so deserves. Do it for the sake of the baby. Noone will ever know it was you who called either.

Answer 5

if the baby is an infant and not able to move just yet then there really isn't a problem. it might not be the best place for the baby but its not going to hurt as long as there is proper supervision. someone should be near and available to lift him/her at all times. once the baby is able to lift his head or turn over there is a serious problem.
my son was preemie and grew accustomed to his incubator. by the time i brought him home it was impossible for him to sleep in that enormous crib. the doc told me it was no problem to keep him in his car seat until he started moving on his own. it made him feel safe when he wasn't in mommy's arms.


upon reading your additional info, i say call CPS. no hesitation. start dialing now.

Answer 6

Call Child Services.
It is a baby and should sleep in items MADE for a baby. He's not a piece of clothing.
That is just so wrong.
If they weren't ready for a baby - they should have put him up for adoption. There are plenty of other people who would love him and take care of him right.
Plus, those living conditions, what about when the baby starts crawling and getting into all of the animal feces??
Call them.

Answer 7

Nothing. As long as the basket is on the floor, it's safe. It's basically the same as a moses basket. Some people have used dresser drawers on the floor. It's a perfectly safe option for those who may not be able to afford a crib and do not wish to co-sleep.

Answer 8

These parents need to be reported to Child Services! You can't expect this poor baby to have much of a chance of becoming a thriving adult with parents who seem to know what they are doing with a baby! For the sake of the child, call now and give this baby a chance!

Answer 9

Call cps (child protective services), these people don't need that baby at all, when they go and see that the baby has no crib, and they make him go to the hospital like that, he needs to be with people that care! That is disgusting, and that baby just needs to have a chance at life, not with immature people like that.

Answer 10

The warm of the clothes and the size of the basket make a very comfortable bed for a baby. It isn't safe if the baby can roll and sit up, it could cause falls. Other than that, a lot of babies sleep in odd places the first few weeks of life!