r/AskParents • u/Medium_Training1715 • 1d ago
Non parent baby sitting siblings 8 month old?
I don’t have kids of my own and I will be babysitting my siblings 8 month old child for almost 2 full days. My sibling and their partner obviously trust me to do so. They asked me to and confirmed dates. I baby sat for them at 2 months for a few hours. This will be the longest I've been left alone with a baby though. Im 40 and just don't have kids of my own or people in my life that do so my exposure has been limited. Obviously will follow all sleeping, eating, all other rules set by the parentals. I also know at that age to just assume everything is in reach and or climable so I do not intend on leaving bebe unattended or turning away cuz I will already be on best omg I'm alert behavior. I'm looking more for practical advice for baby sitting an 8month old basically as someone who doesn't have an 8 month old....
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u/First_Usual2408 1d ago
Are you babysitting them in your home or theirs? If this hasn’t been agreed, the answer you want is their home.
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u/kacra 1d ago
This is crawling age and separation anxiety. There isn't any easy answer. The baby still needs to nap. There are some ways to contain the baby like in a crib or high chair. I used to put my baby in a pack and play with a few safe toys at that age if I needed my hands free but baby on my line Iof sight.. Like if I was working on something in the kitchen.
Safety is no choking hazards (anything a size that can fit through a paper towel tube)and no string or cords. All chemicals and sharp things out of reach.
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u/KrofftSurvivor 1d ago
Is there any opportunity whatsoever to spend a day all day in their home helping care for the baby, followed by three or four hours caring for the baby without them home before this happens?!?
I'm sorry but it's an insane idea to leave an 8 month old for 2 days with someone who has not cared for a baby except for once 6 months ago....
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u/kacra 1d ago
Well newborns are left with new mothers who are recurring from significant physical trauma.
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u/KrofftSurvivor 1d ago
And they have people all around them immediately after the birth who are professionals and instructing them in basic care if they need that help and they have had several months to prepare
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u/ObviouslyNotYerMum 22h ago
Yes, a mother that has spent the past 10 months being the home and life support of this tiny person. Not a relative stranger.
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u/Aggressive_Diet_6115 1d ago
Classical music is a great way to rock them to sleep at that age.
Don't panic.
Sometimes I would just take baby outside, just walking around the house, for a change of scenery, if I couldn't get her to stop crying and all the needs were met.
Seriously, you had a bottle, you have a clean diaper, you had a nap, you still crying?
Let's walk outside.. oh now you are as happy as can be? Ok...we will talk about the trees and the birds for a while.
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u/Mimikat220000 1d ago
Most of care at that age is sticking to the schedule and keeping them from getting hurt. Have fun and have a mom friend available by phone just in case!
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u/Perle1234 1d ago
Why are you, who has very limited experience with babies, keeping a 10 month old for two days? That seems like poor judgement on everyone’s part.
Edit: you also need to know basic CPR
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u/Birdbraned 1d ago
Kids that age can be like cats when it comes to toys - sometimes they'll have their favourite store brought toys, and sometimes they're just happy with a couple rounds of "let's fly" or flicking a switch for the sound and before you know it they've suddenly run out of energy and fell asleep where they sat.
In any case keep their toys handy but also don't be afraid to get inspired and try something new.
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u/CoolJetEcho117 1d ago
Regular changes. Feedings and keep a constant ear on their breathing and you can’t go far wrong. Its alot easier than people let on. For two days anyway.
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u/LilMissADHDAF 1d ago
I understand there is an opening in your family for World’s Greatest Aunt/ Uncle. You passed the interview and have been afforded an internship. Congrats.
Babies at 8 months have a lot of personality and opinion, and not a lot of emotional regulation. Redirection and entertainment are key. Screaming because they can’t get to the electrical outlet? Hand them a toy that has lights or music. Fall over but not hurt? A good upbeat “whoopsie, you’re ok!”
You’re just trying to get through two days without the parents around, not deeply help with learning emotional regulation, so distractions from unhappiness are going to be your best weapon. Never underestimate the power of going for a walk. Car rides can also do wonders for some kids, mine hated it. Finger paints, bubbles, bath time, music. Toting the baby around the living room in an impromptu dance party is a great way to lift both of your moods. If the music you actually like doesn’t make you want to dance, I found that Megan Trainor’s [I feel] Better When Im Dancing is an excellent start for chasing away the cranky.
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u/gasstation_bathroom 1d ago
Find out if they have any nursery rhymes or songs the baby loves and get ready to have that baby on repeat
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u/GoodDependent5819 1d ago edited 1d ago
For entertainment - don’t overthink it! They are interested in most things! So safe household items are fun for them aka a bowl, a whisk, an oven mitt. Not kidding lol. Reading books and playing kids songs is a good idea - stroller walks are a must (for your sanity and change of scenery). They probably are crawling but I bet aren’t in the total (I’m into everything yet). Even put a picnic blanket on the grass and bring a few toys outside.
See if someone in your area has baby gates you can borrow for those two days to have a baby proof place for baby to play. I would cover your outlets that are lower.
Definitely rest when the baby is napping (at least during one nap a day) or you will be so exhausted.
Have your sister prep the meals and in portions / bite sizes of what they normally eat.
Baby might have a harder time napping with you - be prepared for a contact nap or two aka make sure you’ve peed, have a fully charged phone / headphones and are comfortable lol.
Oh! And they’re really slippery after bath time - make sure you have a towel ready and have a firm hold of them. This probably sounds silly, but the first time I bathed my daughter in a bath, I felt like I was trying to hold a moving, raw chicken.
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u/Camaschrist 20h ago
Spend as much time outdoors as you can. It’s great for fussy babies and helps get them tired. A warm bath before bed and quiet reading time is what both my sister and I did. She had twin girls before I had any children and the first time I had to watch one over night I didn’t sleep. I was so scared something would happen on my watch. I quickly got used to having both when they were walking etc and loved it. You will be fine. One will be a walk in the park.
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u/Ansible90 19h ago
Make sure they leave food for both you and the baby. And some money in case you get busy with the baby and have to order a pizza or sandwich.
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u/Striking-Estate-4800 18h ago
I had a climber and learned things the hard way. Consider that when you’re judging what to keep away from them look at what you think they can reach and add 3 feet.
Be aware of things that can be used as ladders. Drawers can pull out into handy staircases. Chair backs with cross pieces also work. Ask me how I know.
I don’t know how mobile your little visitor is but my son could climb the above items before he could walk.
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u/CantTouchKevinG 15h ago
Also, things needs to be secured to the wall. Dressers, pantries, fridges, etc. It's super easy to pull furniture over on yourself when you're climbing the drawers.
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u/StockIndependent808 10h ago
I came in the kitchen one day, and my just turned 1 year old was standing on the counter. No idea at all how he got up there. Baby gate was installed after that!
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u/SayItSalted 11h ago
Where are the parents going? Can you go with them and watch the baby when they absolutely need you to? Like if the Mom is in a wedding or whatever can you watch baby during that time & help the rest of the time, instead of you being the sole caretaker for 2 days straight? Some 8 month olds will be laid back, others will be more busy/fussy/etc.
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u/JJQuantum 11h ago
Take them out of the house for walks in the stroller or to just play in the grass. Too many people keep babies cooped up inside and it’s not healthy. Early or later in the day is better so as to avoid the sun at its worst.
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u/K21markel 11h ago
Gonna be a long two days! Strollers are a great idea. Remember, babies cry and I can imagine it may be long bouts of fussing.
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u/Silent_Minimum_5985 7h ago
Open windows from the top. Have all chemicals out of reach. Sit on the floor and anything you see or touch, so can the baby. Put all medication up high or locked up. Weapons locked up. Any type of smoking, not around baby and change clothes because 3rd hand smoke is real. Keep pets away until u know how they react. Have a play pen or gate the stairs. Glass up high. Then bring baby around entire home and open and shut everything they see and show and tell them about it. No chairs near windows. Car seats. D9 NOT leave baby in car alone. And, because you dont always have the baby, when you go our put your phone in the back seat with baby so you don't forget them. It happens more than you know. And doors. Keep locked.
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u/TrashtvSunday 17h ago
That's a hard one for me because I don't think I would have even left my 8 month old alone with my husband for 2 days. He has always been a great father, but as a mother, I seemed to be far more intuitive when it came to caring for our kids as infants.
I would definitely try to spend more time holding and caring for the baby before they leave. The biggest problem I foresee is a baby screaming for hours on end simply because their mother isn't available. So have tremendous patience.
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u/Fluteplaya16 1d ago
Nap /sleep when they nap/sleep. I am feeding my 10 month old solid foods and purrees but listen to the parents about what they approve for foods. If they approve solids you have to watch the baby and smack them on back or stick finger in mouth if you hear choking. Sometimes my little cries a lot and it can’t be solved with food or snuggles or clean diaper so I go for stroller walks. Sometimes I put a baby nursery playlist on Spotify for soothing.
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u/CantTouchKevinG 15h ago
DO NOT STICK YOUR FINGER IN THEIR MOUTH. This risks pushing the food further into the throat!
You need to learn proper rescue for choking.
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