Find A Good Babysitter For Your Baby

How To Find A Good Babysitter For Your Baby 

There are few parenting milestones that feel quite as strange as leaving your baby with someone who isn’t you.

You can happily hand your baby to a pediatrician, nurse, grandmother, aunt or perhaps even the friendly cashier at the grocery store for 30 seconds while you search for your wallet. But actually leaving the house and saying, “Okay, I’m going now. Please take care of my entire world” can feel like an entirely different situation.

Finding a good babysitter for your baby takes more than finding someone who says, “Sure, I love babies!”

You want someone responsible, trustworthy, attentive and comfortable caring for an infant. And ideally, someone who knows what to do when the baby cries for 47 consecutive minutes and everyone involved begins questioning their life choices.

The good news? A little preparation can make finding the right person much easier.

Start With People You Trust

One of the best places to begin your babysitter search is surprisingly old-fashioned: ask other parents.

Talk to friends, neighbors, coworkers, relatives, members of your church or community groups, and other parents you already know.

Ask:

• Who babysits for your children?
• How long have you used them?
• Are they dependable?
• How do they handle emergencies?
• Are they comfortable with babies?
• Would you hire them again?

A personal recommendation doesn’t guarantee someone is perfect, but it gives you somewhere much better to start than choosing a stranger from a random online post.

Local parenting groups and community organizations can also be useful sources of referrals.

Consider Experience With Babies Specifically

Babysitting a 7-year-old and caring for a 4-month-old are two very different jobs.

Older children can tell you they’re hungry, tired, sick or upset. A baby may simply cry—and leave everyone else to solve the mystery.

When interviewing a potential sitter, ask about their experience with infants.

Find out whether they have cared for babies who:

• Need bottles or expressed breast milk
• Wake frequently at night
• Have a specific nap routine
• Have reflux or feeding concerns
• Take medication
• Have allergies
• Need diaper changes
• Are beginning solid foods
• Have separation anxiety

You don’t necessarily need someone with years of professional childcare experience. A responsible teenager who has completed babysitting and CPR training may be perfectly capable of caring for a baby, depending on the child’s needs and the sitter’s maturity.

The American Red Cross offers babysitting and child-care training that covers infant and child care, emergency preparedness, first aid and CPR. (Red Cross)

Should My Babysitter Know Infant CPR?

This is one area where I wouldn’t be shy about asking questions.

Is the babysitter trained in infant and child CPR and first aid?

If the answer is yes, ask when they completed the training.

If they haven’t taken a class, consider making CPR/first-aid training part of your requirements, particularly when hiring someone who will regularly care for your baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents meet the sitter, check references and training, and make sure the caregiver knows CPR and first aid. (HealthyChildren.org)

You can find training through organizations such as the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.

A babysitter doesn’t need to be a paramedic. But if something goes seriously wrong, you want someone who has at least learned how to respond.

How Do I Check a Babysitter’s References?

References aren’t just for job interviews at the office.

Ask potential babysitters for references from families they’ve worked for before.

Then actually call them.

Ask questions such as:

• “Was the sitter dependable?”
• “Did they arrive on time?”
• “How did your children respond to them?”
• “Did they follow your household rules?”
• “Did they communicate well?”
• “Would you hire them again?”

That last question can be particularly revealing.

You don’t need a glowing five-page recommendation letter. A simple, enthusiastic “Absolutely!” can tell you plenty.

Should I Run a Background Check on a Babysitter?

If you’re hiring someone you don’t personally know—particularly an adult caregiver who will regularly spend time alone with your child—a background check may be appropriate.

Some childcare agencies and babysitting services conduct screening as part of their process. If you’re hiring independently, parents may want to consider appropriate identity verification, reference checks and background screening.

Remember that a background check is one piece of the puzzle, not a substitute for interviewing, checking references and using good judgment.

Have an Interview

Don’t make the first meeting a five-minute conversation on the front porch while you’re trying to get the baby into a car seat.

Give yourself time to talk.

Ask the potential sitter questions about:

• Their experience with infants
• CPR and first-aid training
• What they would do if the baby wouldn’t stop crying
• How they handle feeding and naps
• How they would respond to an emergency
• Whether they are comfortable changing diapers
• Whether they have reliable transportation if needed
• Whether they smoke or vape
• Whether they are comfortable following your household rules
• Their availability
• Their hourly rate
• Whether they have other commitments that could affect reliability

You don’t have to conduct the interview like you’re hiring the CEO of Baby Operations.

But you do want to get a feel for how the person thinks.

Watch How They Interact With Your Baby

This may be one of the most valuable parts of the process.

Invite the sitter over while you’re home and let them spend some time with your baby.

Watch.

Do they wash their hands before handling the baby?

Do they pay attention?

Do they seem comfortable holding and soothing the baby?

Do they talk to your baby?

Do they immediately reach for their phone?

Do they seem patient?

Do they respect your instructions?

You don’t need your baby to fall madly in love with the sitter within 12 minutes.

Some babies aren’t impressed by anyone who isn’t Mom or Dad.

You’re looking for how the caregiver behaves, not whether your baby gives them five stars on Yelp.

Trust Your Gut—But Don’t Ignore the Facts

Parents often talk about “gut instinct,” and it can be useful.

If something feels off, pay attention.

But try to separate nervousness from genuine concerns.

It is completely normal to feel nervous about leaving your baby.

Red flags are different.

Be cautious if a potential sitter:

• Won’t provide references
• Seems evasive about their experience
• Doesn’t take safety seriously
• Dismisses your instructions
• Is constantly distracted by their phone
• Doesn’t seem comfortable with basic infant care
• Shows up repeatedly late
• Becomes defensive when you ask reasonable safety questions
• Makes you uncomfortable during the interview

Your babysitter doesn’t have to parent exactly the way you do.

But they do need to respect your child’s safety and your reasonable expectations.

Give Them a Trial Run

Before leaving your baby for an entire evening, consider having the sitter come over while you’re home.

Then try something small.

Take a shower.

Work in another room.

Go grab coffee.

Run a quick errand.

If everything goes well, try a slightly longer outing.

This gives both you and the sitter a chance to get comfortable.

It also lets the babysitter learn your baby’s routine before they’re suddenly responsible for everything at once.

Leave Detailed Instructions

Even the most capable babysitter needs information.

Don’t assume they’ll remember everything you told them during the interview.

Write it down.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends leaving important information such as parent phone numbers, pediatrician information, emergency contacts, your home address and Poison Help information with the babysitter. It also recommends explaining feeding, bathing, sleeping arrangements, allergies and specific needs. (HealthyChildren.org)

Your sitter’s information sheet might include:

• Baby’s name and age
• Feeding schedule
• Bottle instructions
• Nap and bedtime routine
• Diapering instructions
• Allergies
• Medications and instructions
• Pediatrician’s name and phone number
• Parents’ phone numbers
• Emergency contacts
• Home address
• Where the first-aid kit is located
• Where the fire extinguisher is located
• Emergency evacuation information
• Any household rules

If your baby has a medical condition, allergy or special care requirement, provide clear written instructions and discuss them with the sitter before you leave.

Talk About Safe Sleep

If your sitter will put your baby down for a nap or bedtime, make sure you discuss your expectations for safe sleep.

Don’t simply say, “Put the baby down around 2.”

Show them exactly where and how your baby sleeps.

Make sure the caregiver understands your pediatrician’s recommendations and your family’s established safe-sleep routine.

This is not the time for improvisation.

A babysitter shouldn’t decide that the couch looks cozy or that a pile of blankets would make an excellent baby nest.

Talk About Phones, Photos and Social Media

This conversation is easy to overlook.

Decide whether the babysitter can photograph your baby and whether photos can be shared on social media.

Personally, I’d make this very clear before the first babysitting job.

A simple rule such as “Please don’t post pictures of our baby online” eliminates confusion.

Also establish reasonable expectations around phone use while caring for your child. You don’t need your babysitter to surrender their phone at the front door like they’re entering a high-security facility, but you do want their attention focused on your baby.

Talk About Visitors

Make your expectations clear about visitors.

Unless you’ve specifically approved it, a babysitter shouldn’t invite friends, dates or other people into your home while caring for your child.

This isn’t about being controlling.

It’s about knowing who is around your baby.

Talk About Driving

If the babysitter will transport your child, discuss it beforehand.

Make sure the appropriate car seat is installed correctly and that the sitter knows how to use it.

If driving isn’t part of the job, say so.

One of the easiest ways to avoid misunderstandings is simply to establish the rule before you walk out the door.

Cameras and Nanny Cams: Know the Rules Before You Hit Record

(Affiliated Link)
Baby Monitors and Nanny Cams can give parents peace of mind, especially when a baby is sleeping or you’re hiring a new caregiver. But before turning your home into a tiny surveillance headquarters, it’s important to think about privacy, safety and the law.

If you use a camera, be upfront about it. Let your babysitter know where cameras are located and what areas they record. Laws regarding recording conversations and audio can vary by state, and secretly recording someone’s private conversation can create serious legal problems. Video-only cameras generally raise different issues than cameras that record sound.

Never place cameras in areas where a babysitter or other caregiver would reasonably expect privacy, such as a bathroom or changing area used by the caregiver. Cameras should also never be used in a way that compromises anyone’s personal privacy.

A few practical tips:

• Tell the babysitter about cameras before hiring them.
• Explain whether the camera records video, audio or both.
• Avoid bathrooms and other private areas.
• Use strong, unique passwords for connected cameras.
• Turn on two-factor authentication when available.
• Keep camera software and firmware updated.
• Limit who has access to the camera feed.
• Don’t share recordings or livestreams on social media.
• Check your state’s laws regarding audio recording and privacy.

There is also a good parenting reason to be transparent: trust works both ways. You want to know that the person caring for your baby is trustworthy, but the caregiver should also know what to expect when working in your home.

For more information about privacy and recording laws, parents can review guidance from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and check the laws that apply in their particular state.

A nanny cam can be a useful safety tool, but it shouldn’t replace references, background checks, CPR training, communication and—perhaps most importantly—your own judgment when choosing someone to care for your baby.

Don’t Forget About Payment

Money conversations can feel awkward, but they’re much less awkward before the babysitting begins.

Discuss:

• Hourly rate
• Minimum number of hours
• Payment method
• Late-night expectations
• Transportation
• Extra children
• Holidays
• Last-minute cancellations
• Additional household responsibilities

A babysitter who knows exactly what is expected—and what they’re being paid—is much more likely to feel comfortable with the arrangement.

What Makes a Great Babysitter?

After all the interviews, references and questions, you’re probably wondering what you’re actually looking for.

For me, the best babysitter isn’t necessarily the person with the longest resume.

It’s the person who is:

1. Responsible.
2. Patient.
3. Attentive.
4. Dependable.
5. Comfortable around babies.
6. Willing to ask questions.
7. Prepared for emergencies.
8. Respectful of your parenting choices.
9. Communicative.

And perhaps most importantly, someone who genuinely enjoys being around children.

The American Red Cross emphasizes preparation, communication and training as important characteristics of a trusted babysitter. (Red Cross)

Resources for Parents

A few reputable resources can make the babysitter search—and the safety preparation that goes along with it—a little easier.

American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org
Their babysitting checklist includes important information parents should leave for caregivers and questions parents should address before leaving children with a sitter.

(HealthyChildren.org)

HealthyChildren.org Babysitting Reminders

American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides babysitting, child-care, CPR, AED and first-aid training resources. (Red Cross)

American Red Cross Babysitting & Child Care Resources

American Red Cross CPR & First Aid Training
Parents can search for CPR and first-aid classes in their area.

Red Cross CPR & First Aid Training

The Goal Isn’t a Perfect Babysitter

Finding someone you trust with your baby can feel like an enormous task.

And honestly, it is a pretty big deal.

But remember that you’re not searching for a magical person who can anticipate every diaper blowout, decode every cry and somehow convince your baby that bedtime is a wonderful idea.

You’re looking for a responsible adult—or appropriately mature, trained young caregiver—who will keep your child safe, follow your instructions, communicate with you and treat your baby with patience and care.

Start with recommendations. Check references. Ask questions. Watch how they interact with your baby. Verify training when appropriate. Have a trial run.

And when you finally find someone you trust?

Treat them well.

Reliable babysitters are worth their weight in clean diapers.

And once you’ve found a good one, don’t be surprised if you suddenly start guarding their phone number like it’s the winning lottery ticket.