What would any mother think?

Question

I picked up my 9 month old baby from his babysitter's house after work as usual. My child has never been sick and ever since I started taking him to his babysitter, he has had an on-going cold, running nose, cough, low grade temp etc. The babysitter has 2 children of her own, one is 12 months and the other is 6. I have taken my son to the Dr. twice in the last 3 weeks. The first visit, the Dr. sai dit was simply a cold and would get back over time. This trip to the Dr., she found an ear infection and prescribed an antibiotic. I picked my son up to find him sleeping in his stroller (which i have told her not to put him in there to sleep) he was sweating because it was too hot in her home and he had a poopy diaper. His cough sounded worse and he was very fussy. I took him straight away to the Dr. My concern is I do not feel comfortable with the babysitter any longer. I showed up early today and this is what I walked into. What would any mother thinkl and what should I do?

Answer 1

Get a new babysitter!

Answer 2

As far as the cold and ear infections - we went through the same thing with our daughter. Children get sick when around other children. Our kids go to preschool and it's a side effect. The sleeping in the stroller is only an issue really if you told her not to let him sleep in it. My daughter slept in her carseat all the time and when you are at the mall/the theme parks/out for a walk - sometimes they do fall asleep. The poopy diaper is no excuse if it more than a few minutes old.

I think the clear cut sentence is you do not feel comfortable with the babysitter. I honestly have NEVER felt comfortable with a simple, at home babysitter. I much rather have a church or other licensed daycare take care of my children. The more people around, the more social interaction with other children - the better.

Good luck! Just remember that almost every mom goes through a similar experience. :-)

Answer 3

You have to feel comfortable with who is taking care of your child. If you think that there is something wrong with the care your child is receiving, then you should find an alternative. I'm a former nanny and day care worker. I held these positions before I had my own child. I wanted to do this because I was pretty critical about day cares and I thought I shouldn't just be critical, I should help out. I was glad to be able to do this. I really cared about the kids. I will say, though, that nobody will care for your child the way you do. So if it is possible for you to stay at home with your child, do it. It's only for a short time. I am fortunate enough to be able to do this. I realize it is not an option for some. If it is not an option for you, try and find someone who you feel comfortable with. Remember, it's your child and nobody will ever seem perfect to you, but you do have to be comfortable with that person. Sounds like you are a good, caring Mom.

P.S. It's to be expected that when your child is around other kids, they tend to share each others illnesses. Just make sure that the facility has a good cleaning procedure. I used to clean the potties after the children used them. We were only supposed to clean them at the end of the day, though.

Answer 4

Children become sick catching germs from other children. Colds lead to ear infections sometimes, it is good to have your child on an anitbiotic for it.You have to expect this when you child is around any other children anywhere.

Maybe your child fell asleep in his/her stroller and possibly the sitter did not want to wake him/her as the child may not be able to get back to sleep again, as a young baby needs as much sleep as possible especially on an antibiotic which is tiring and being sick.
Also, the other children are demanding her attention also, and could keep the baby from falling back to sleep again.

Does the baby have a crib to go to?

Was his/her butt red? If so, the poop may have been there for awhile, but sometimes a poop can just happen and is present when a baby awakens without the sitter noticing.

If you are uncomfortable, I think you should look around for another sitter, do go by your instincts, perhaps find one that does not have any other children to take care of, to give your baby more attention.

By the way, I have had a child in daycare and he was sick always it seemed and so was my family and myself. Daycare is the absolute worse place for any child to be, just full of germs as people leave their children there when their children are very sick so they do not miss a day at work. There are daycare rules, but most parents do not follow in regards to sickness.
True, it is more social time for a child, but the consequences of disease far outrun any benefits.
Take it from me, just look up the diseases one can get from a daycare, even one that is "clean".

Answer 5

the running nose, cough, and low grade temp could all be from your baby not getting enough attention that he needs, and he could be screaming or crying. think about how you feel after you cry, the headaches and all? it could be the same way with your baby. and as far as the baby sleeping in the stroller, i wouldve flipped! i never allow my kids to sleep in the stroller. unless of course we are walking outside or in the mall and they fall asleep, thats a different situation though. and the poopy diaper??? is she crazy!! i wake my kids up when i find out they have a poopy diaper. they can always fall back asleep if they are tired. id never allow my kids to sit in a dirty diaper. i wouldnt feel right leaving my children with her either! i hope you find a better babysitter! good luck!! :)

Answer 6

Tis the season for colds, sniffles, sore throats, flu, ear infections, you name it, it's that time of year. But if she's doing things that you asked her not to, it's time to move. When my son was small and in day care, I always tried at least once a week to pick him up at an irregular time, so I could see what was going on in the hours that parents aren't expected to pop in. At least until I was comfortable and sure I finally had the right place.

I'd find a new sitter, seriously. He's your child, and you should be comfortable and confident in who takes care of him.

Answer 7

Any daycare - or staying at home for that matter, will have sickness occur. If he was properly strapped in the stroller, and sitting up, that could be understandable. My sons slept better with ear infections sitting up. And the poopy diaper, from a sleepy baby is not much of a concern either.

However, trust your instincts. If your not comfortable, leave it at that, and change.

Answer 8

wow, im really sorry to hear this. I think u should find another babysitter. Its obvious that she has kids of her own. It seems she just puts ur child on the side like saying ok wateva.... Its very hard to trust a babysitter especially now in days the way they torture babies/children. She probably isn't able to handle her kids n ur baby. The way she had ur poor baby in the stroller n sweating should give u reasons not to take ur baby to her house. It brakes my heart to know that ignorant people can't follow instructions. I wish u the best luck! Just keep in mind that ur baby and his health is more important.

Answer 9

I'm not a mom, but I feel that any child's safety is top priority. If you do not feel comfortable with this babysitter, then you are in the right to change providers. You shouldn't even have to explain any more than that you were not comfortable with the setting or that it just wasn't going to work out.

Answer 10

Get a new baby sitter preferably one without other children or atleast not one of school age. Children that attend school pick up alot more germs that their immune system can handle but a small babies cannot. My daughter was never sick until she started spending time with my cousins lil kids who are 7 & 8 and go to school. She was getting colds and virus's just like they had but alot worse.

Answer 11

You want your baby to be in a safe and clean envoirnment...i would find a new babysitter right away. That is too bad that your baby got sick there. Yes find a new babysitter..one you can trust that has credentials...perferrable a family member.