Those With Infants - What Do You Need?

[midaycare]

I finally decided to take an infant into my care. This will be my first one! happyface

I'm a little nervous since I'm set up more for the 2-5 year olds, but I think taking 1 infant will work out.

My question is: what do you really have to have in a daycare for an infant? I have a nice activity mat, soft blocks, and fun balls that the baby can roll & they all do something different. I have an infant pack and play, too.

What am I missing?

[NightOwl]

I would get a bouncy seat and maybe a swing (one that plugs into the wall). Also, some mouth toys like shakers, rattles, baby keys, etc. Something that can produce white noise, like a fan or white noise machine to help with naptime. Baby won't sleep at the same times as the older ones. And last but not least, I would have a Snuza Hero Monitor. They monitor the breathing of a sleeping baby to help intercept any sids type activity. It's mostly for babies under 6ish months.

[LysesKids]

if the baby is really little, a PNP with a bassinet works without taking the space of a crib, and it works well for changing diapers. I personally don't use swings, jumperoos or excersaucers and my parents appreciate the fact my home isn't cluttered with stuff they hardly use in their own homes.

[midaycare]

It sounds like I don't need too much - whew! I'm feeling good about that

[Butter Biskets]

I have a pnp for each baby, an activity table and some random "baby" toys that honestly, the babies don't really play with that much. My babies like the cause and effect electronic toys with lights and sounds and the top toy was a homemade one with bottle caps and an empty containter. My babies are both a year old. I agree with the pp, that a lot of the clutter causing things don't really get used too much and are currently sitting in the basement awaiting rotation to try again. My babies also love the play kitchen, although they really just making a mess with the accessories and play food. :P I also agree with something to create white noise for naps as the older kids usually forget what being quiet means.

[Laurel]

I finally decided to take an infant into my care. This will be my first one! happyface

I'm a little nervous since I'm set up more for the 2-5 year olds, but I think taking 1 infant will work out.

My question is: what do you really have to have in a daycare for an infant? I have a nice activity mat, soft blocks, and fun balls that the baby can roll & they all do something different. I have an infant pack and play, too.

What am I missing?

I would have these for sure:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Infant-to-Toddler-Rocker-Elephant-Friends/33356928

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-ExerSaucer-Beach-Baby/22236455

and a baby swing. These were essentials for me.

That Fisher Price seat is better than some others because it is more sturdy than other types (ask me how I know). With that one if an older child tries to sit in it (and they will try and sometimes succeed), they cannot break it as it turns into a toddler rocker so is made to hold a toddler's weight. Some of the other ones are useless after an older child sneaks and 'tries it out'.

I know it isn't PC to use seats of any kind anymore but I don't know why. I used to take my older ones into the dining room to eat and then what to do with baby? I would bring in the FP chair. If you move from room to room or outside you need somewhere to put the baby while you are tending to other children. I actually had more than one to leave in different rooms but start with one.

Same for the Exersaucer. To me it is safer so baby doesn't get trampled by older children. Of course you should do tummy time. I just used a quilt and sat by the baby but I didn't want the baby to always be on the floor or always be lying down if I couldn't hold them.

I wouldn't do infants without a swing...invaluable.

I didn't overuse these things. I think it is safer for the baby than being on the floor unless you can't sit right next to them.

Laurel

[Blackcat31]

Other than a PNP, I don't use any infant equipment.

Depending on your set up, the floor is ideal and in my opinion the best place for baby.

If you can't provide a safe place on the floor for them, then I definitely think an exersaucer or a play yard is good to have.

Personally, I don't promote the use of swings.

There is so much liability with a swing. Too easy for the baby to fall asleep (NOT ok in a swing) and too easy for baby to become dependent on movement to fall asleep, impacting their ability later to fall asleep on their own.

Also the other kids seem instinctively drawn to the swing and toddlers will try to get in it or climb on it and preschoolers try to push the baby.

I hate the table top ones as nothing on a table or counter for an infant seems safe in a multi-age group setting

I think swings are MORE dangerous that keeping baby on the floor..kwim?

Like I said, I use no infant equipment and have had no issues doing so. My babies all learn to happily play on the floor and the last few have all seemed to sit and crawl on or before recommended ages.

I chalk it up to LOADS of belly time.

[Angelsj]

Often, I think it depends on the baby. I have had ones that LOVED the exersaucer and used it a lot, and others that hated it and never wanted in it (but then use it to cruise around later when they are first walking..)

Same with other items. Some they love, others they don't. I try different things until I find one they like.
I don't like to sit on the floor, so I will often do the 1-5 month range tummy time on the table when I am right there. I bought this for that purpose, and they can look at me and talk to me on their tummy or back. It can also, of course, be on the floor if you can't be right there.
You really don't need a lot. Babies are pretty self entertaining, and don't really get bored with just a few toys. From the time they can sit at all, this has been an all around hit with nearly every baby I have had.

[midaycare]

Wow! Such great information. Everyone does it so differently, and yet mostly the same.

I'm feeling good about what I have. Maybe one or two more things.

Thanks everyone!

[sugar buzz]

When I have an infant, I always like to have my own stockpile of bibs. Between spitting up and drooling, it seems like I can never have too many.

[SignMeUp]

Here's something useful and inexpensive: http://www.target.com/p/bright-start...1_4&term=links

For infants:
Good for keeping small toys attached to stroller, bouncy seat or high chair so that when it falls, it doesn't hit the ground.
Good for a first toy to hold in their hands, and to pass from hand to hand - so lightweight it won't hurt them if it falls on their face.
Good for teething - they have a variety of bumps and ridges.
Good for shaking like a rattle, when they are connected together.

For toddlers:
You can attach them to each other in patterns, or make strings all of one color.
Save a can with a metal bottom and plastic lid. Cut a rectangular hole in the lid and toddlers will endlessly put in each single link, then hold the can out for you to empty so they can do it again.

[Shell]

Other than a PNP, I don't use any infant equipment.

Depending on your set up, the floor is ideal and in my opinion the best place for baby.

If you can't provide a safe place on the floor for them, then I definitely think an exersaucer or a play yard is good to have.

Personally, I don't promote the use of swings.

There is so much liability with a swing. Too easy for the baby to fall asleep (NOT ok in a swing) and too easy for baby to become dependent on movement to fall asleep, impacting their ability later to fall asleep on their own.

Also the other kids seem instinctively drawn to the swing and toddlers will try to get in it or climb on it and preschoolers try to push the baby.

I hate the table top ones as nothing on a table or counter for an infant seems safe in a multi-age group setting

I think swings are MORE dangerous that keeping baby on the floor..kwim?

Like I said, I use no infant equipment and have had no issues doing so. My babies all learn to happily play on the floor and the last few have all seemed to sit and crawl on or before recommended ages.

I chalk it up to LOADS of belly time.

this exactly

[Indoorvoice]

I use this to keep baby in the action, but safe from the big kids. It's really the only piece of "equipment" I use.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00020L78M?pc_redir=1405852823&robot_redir=1

[Baby lady]

We're not allowed to have the exer-saucer things in California, or any sort of bouncing seat. Make sure you know what your sate allows. Don't try to have too much in advance, not all kids like all the same sort of seats. Sometimes parents will offer to let you use a piece of equipment for their child.

I am one that uses swings for infants.