Getting A Small Infant

[sharlan]

It's been a long time since I've had a tiny baby (4 1/2 mos) under licensing regulations. I have older kids (1, 3, 4, 5) that the baby needs to be protected from when she's not being held. I know that I can't use a bouncer, pack and play, or exersaucer.

What do you guys use when you have such a mixed age group?

[Blackcat31]

Separation. I don't know if it is possible with your set up but for me I have an area for older babies and toddlers and another area for preschoolers. New and really young babies stay right near me at all times until they are older, are able to move on their own and can safely play in the area with other babies/toddlers.

Plus, my older kids know from the get-go that NO ONE but me touches the baby or the baby's things.

[MrsB]

Octagonal play yard. Why can't you use a packnplay?

[sharlan]

Octagonal play yard. Why can't you use a packnplay?

CA regulations say pack and plays are for sleeping only.

[MrsB]

CA regulations say pack and plays are for sleeping only.

Oh gotcha, stupid me. I thought you meant you can't use them for sleeping too.

Mine is pretty much the same as blackcats. When I have an itty bitty that is too little for the older ones, I use an octagonal gate and separate my daycare room Usually about 1/4 of my daycare space goes to baby There I have a rocking chair, pack n play, books, boppy and developementally appropriate toys. Everyone knows they absolutely can not go on that side of the room and may not touch baby or baby's things.