Do You Provide Infant Supplies

[care-care]

I told my dcm that she provides the diapers, wipes ,formula and baby food until they eat table food Baby is only on formula as of now and I have a way over abundance of wipes I tried to give some back and she said she had too many at home too. Same with diapers. Ha ha I dont think she realises that he is only here part time and I dont use them like she does. But thankfully I have them and am not running out. Very sweet family God love them!

[jen]

Everyone here brings in wipes, I never really said that they had to once their kids were potty trained, but everyone does it anyway!

I am the food program so I have to offer formula, although I don't remember the last forumla baby I had. I do tell parents that if I am supplying the formula, I will buy what is on sale. If they prefer a specific variety, then they need to supply it.

Once they start solids, I supply all of that.

[laundrymom]

I have two parents who send store wipes, I double them. They are so thin. They go thru 2x as many as my huggies brand kids.

[momofsix]

I supply wipes (huggies from Sam's:) and recieving blankets. The parents supply everything else. I may have some puffs or cheerios for babies that are starting those things, but until they actually start table food the parents supply their food.

[Blackcat31]

I supply the cheap generic brand of formula and no one takes me up on it either. Most my parents get WIC so they just bring a can and when they are low, I ask for more. I supply the baby food though once they get to be 1 years old and off of formula. Parents bring everything else, diapers, diaper cream, Tylenol, blankets, paci's etc. I do have blankets for infants but they all seem to have their own. I have every parent with a kid in diapers and/or pull ups bring wipes and they are community wipes like legomom922 said. I also buy some too but I use wipes for noses, faces and hands. If anyone has a preferance to what brand they've never said. I do specify though that the only generic ones I will accept is Target brand because they are thick like namebrand ones. If a parent insisted on using the cheap generic ones you have to double up on I would probably have them bring two packs in beginning of month since they are so thin.

[Live and Learn]

I don't supply anything but care!
I keep small quantities of backup emergency supplies though.

[kidkair]

I have parents supply wipes and I keep them seperated and use only that child's wipes on them mainly because I have had babies who react to different wipes differently. One would get bad diaper rash from huggies for example. I also have them supply bottles because of the variety out there and parents preferences. I offer Similac Advance formula because I cannot stand the smell of the cheap stuff. I really push for breast milk when possible though. They also supply diapers. I supply bibs for meals but they supply bibs for drooling/teething messes. I supply sippy cups once they get there and all food unless the parents demand organic because I cannot afford that yet.

[Abigail]

What a great idea! Are you partial to any brand/type? If so, do you have the parents bring that brand? I will only use Huggies. I've tried others - generic and other brand names - and I only like the Huggies (which is funny, since when my own kids were babies I just used whatever was on sale). I would hate for someone to bring dollar store wipes, because I would never use them.

Our daycare has community wipes too, but I'm sure the owner buys most of them as she doesn't remind parents we're low. More than half the kids are in diapers and it's so annoying using whatever kinds we have because we have to open the whole lid to reach down to grab a wipe and agan for the second or third wipe. I have babysat for two families this week and one used pampers and the other used Huggies. I love the Huggies too because they actually pop out of the container so it's not a hassle. Any other brands do this? How about the Target Up & Up brand someone else prefers?

My other question, do you have it stated how you will prepare a bottle? I normally would use warm tap water (one family I babysat for used the water gallon by Gerber for babies...why?), put in the formula powder according to the instructions, then shake it up and it's ready to go. If the baby doesn't take the bottle or only just a few sips, it goes in the fridge and will be re heated in a hot coffee mug of water or a baby bottle warmer if I have one. If the baby does start drinking, they have one hour to finish the bottle before I dump it out. Do you reheat the bottle if they drink it for fifteen minutes and then they want the rest after half hour? Do you state all this in your handbook? Thanks!

[Missani]

I supply everything but diapers and pacifiers. Right now I have one infant and I purchased her bottles for her (the kind she was using at home) as a favor to the mom, but considering it was a cheap purchase, I am probably willing to do that for all babies because it's kind of nice that if mom brings one home for some reason that it's "my bottle" and I actually get it back. I do label the bottles in case, for some emergency or something, I'm not there and I want it to be easy for anyone to figure out what is what. But, I'm weird I know. I label them with a label maker and the shiny clear label tape. If I put the tape high enough on the bottle so it doesn't get wet in the bottle warmer, it stays on just fine but I don't use a dishwasher (I hand wash bottles) so that might make a difference.

I feed the older kids mostly organic food and organic milk, so I figure it's only fair to supply organic formula and baby food, too. I supply Similac Organic or Earth's Best formula and Earth's Best baby food. However, if a parent ever requested that I provide regular (not organic) formula/baby food, I certainly would because it's cheaper. I have decided that I will pretty much supply any formula requested unless it's a specialty expensive formula, although my handbook says that I provide Similac or Earth's Best organic. For breast fed babies, I prefer they make the bottles and bring them in (and supply me with frozen back up if extra is needed), however, I am fine with having bottles here and having them bring fresh/frozen milk if that's easier. I also supply puffs, etc. because I provide snacks for the older kids.

I also provide wipes, sleep sacks (can't use any blankets here), bowls/sippy cups/baby spoons/bibs, etc. I have them bring pacifiers, diapers, and extra clothes. I do charge extra for infants to cover the costs of the items I provide. I suppose some parents wouldn't like it that way, but most seem to like the fact that I do everything for them and they don't have to think beyond getting their baby here in the morning.

[Abigail]

Missani:
Do you buy a sleepsak for every age and just keep it? I love sleepsaks, I didn't know they existed until last year actually. Currently our daycare babies under one don't even get any extra layer of clothing when they go down for a nap, it's just down how they are. I would love to know that you care enough to put them in a sleepsak to keep them a little warmer during naps.

As for the baby food, I want to take a class on how much and what babies eat. I understand the formula feeding and rice cereal for that younger group. I understand the age two and up who eat regular table food that is just "child friendly" in terms of smaller pieces. I DON'T have a clue as to what to feed a child from about 8 months on up to the table food age. ha ha. Does anyone know of a site that will educate me more?

[care-care]

does this help

Age: 8 to 10 months
Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods

* Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
* Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
* Can transfer items from one hand to the other
* Puts everything in his mouth
* Moves jaw in a chewing motion

What to feed

* Breast milk or formula, PLUS
* Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
* Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
* Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
* Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
* Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
* Non-citrus juice (apple or pear)


How much per day

* 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
* 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods

[misol]

My parents supply diapers and wipes, sunscreen, diaper cream, lotions, and any other personal items their child needs. I supply all formula and food as per the food program. I offer the Kirkland brand formula from Costco but all of my parents have either supplied BM or the formula of their choice. I keep a can of formula on hand for emergencies but have never had to use it.
I require parents to bring the number of premade bottles that their baby will need each day. Licensing requires that we label bottles and any food from home with the child's name and date. Regular masking tape (not the Dollar store kind) works pretty well for labeling bottles. It stays on pretty good and comes off clean without leaving sticky residue. I don't wash bottles, containers, or dishes brought from home. Everything gets rinsed and put in the bag for mom to wash.

It is such a pain to maintain a separate menu for infants on the food program. When the baby turns a year old, thank goodness they can go on the regular menu. So, I feed them whatever the big kids eat but just cut everything up in small pieces for them.

[Abigail]

Age: 8 to 10 months
Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods

* Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
* Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
* Can transfer items from one hand to the other
* Puts everything in his mouth
* Moves jaw in a chewing motion

What to feed

* Breast milk or formula, PLUS
* Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
* Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
* Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
* Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
* Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
* Non-citrus juice (apple or pear)


How much per day

* 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
* 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods

Thanks, where did you get all this information from? Sad thing is that I don't even eat pasta,fish, tofu, pintos, black beans, or pear juice. I don't even know what lentils is....., I'm a fast food junkie.

[Blackcat31]

As for the baby food, I want to take a class on how much and what babies eat. I understand the formula feeding and rice cereal for that younger group. I understand the age two and up who eat regular table food that is just "child friendly" in terms of smaller pieces. I DON'T have a clue as to what to feed a child from about 8 months on up to the table food age. ha ha. Does anyone know of a site that will educate me more?

Try http://www.providerschoice.com/ they have lots of good info about foods, types, amounts, etc.

[Abigail]

I have more questions...

I really am waiting for more hands-on experience for meal with infants/toddlers, but until then I've got you guys!

I want to be on the food program and really do prefer to offer things myself because I can buy it ahead of time and enjoy organizing my cupboards....it's actually fun when I get the time! I know I have to say specifically what type of formula I'll offer (Up&Up brand), but do I specifically have to state it is Milk-Based, Soy-Based, Lactose-Free, Hypoallergenic, Powder, or Ready-to-Feed formula from Target? I might change my mind over time of which type I will buy and don't want to get introuble.

Also, when I offer to provider bottles do I have to say it's such and such brand because I may choose to switch sometime and am wondering if I should be so specific in my handbook for infant feeding. I still don't think my question from awhile back was answered either. It was do you state specifically what your rules are for feeding formula? (If the baby drinks half the bottle and stops for half hour that you will reheat it in a baby bottle warmer or in a warm coffee mug and finish feeding as long as it is within the initial hour of first feeding? Do you not offer to reheat? I'm not even sure if thats ok to do to tell you the truth, LOL.)

The same question goes for, do you have to say specifically what brand of wipes (Huggies) and bug spray or sun screen lotion you provider? (I want to provide all these for my own sanity reasons.