The problem:  Falls represent a problem that just gets worse as a child ages and becomes more active.  Emergency rooms see far too many accidents involving newborns that fell while their parents were watching them. Newborns will start to move very early on and during that split second that a parent looks away, they can fall off a changing table, a bed or sofa and have a severe trauma.  While we cannot always be there or stop children from falling, we can reduce the incidents.

The solution:  How we handle and prevent falls is the key to reducing the serious injuries that can occur. The example of an infant that rolls over for the first time and falls from a changing table without any previous warning that they could even move that far. To help prevent the problem you will need to do more than just think you can always watch every movement. It only takes two seconds to reach for a diaper, but the fall needs just one second to occur. One thing we can do is plan by having all of the items needed within arm’s reach so we are not looking away for anything. Another is to either buy a changing table that has safety straps and a small ledge to help secure the baby. If a changing table is not available or used try using the floor instead of a sofa or standard height table. Through a thick blanket on the floor as a cushion and falling is one less thing to worry about.

As your child grows and begins to stand and walk, remember to move furniture with sharp corners out of their path. Cocktail tables are a leading cause of injuries among children. I have often recommended that parents literally crawl around the room where your child will be, so they can see things at the same level as their children.  Remember to also remove obstacles that can lead to tripping such as scatter rugs or small decorative objects.

If you live above the first floor make sure all windows are either securely locked or have safety guards in place. Use safety gates at the tops of stairs and make sure you check the width of railings to make certain that a tiny head can’t squeeze through.

Even after doing everything right, accidents will happen and kids will fall. Always keep a first aid kit handy and take a First Aid class so you know what to do and when to call for help. You do not want to be sitting there reading a first aid book while you child is in pain, take a class now.

The problem:  Food and toys are very common causes of danger for little children.  Tiny parts fit into tiny mouths and within seconds your child is choking.  Hard to swallow foods create another hazard.

The solution:  Following the warning labels on most toys is a good first step, but make sure that you also consider the size of your child.  Four year olds may be old enough to play with small objects based on warning labels, but is the child large enough and mature enough to understand what does and what does not go into their mouth?  Mom can avoid many problems by keeping small objects away from curious little hands. 

It is equally as important to consider hard to swallow foods, including raw carrots, peanuts, popcorn, hard candy and hot dogs which can get lodged in a young child’s throat.   Teach kids of all ages to take small bites and chew food thoroughly before swallowing.  Refrain from talking or giggling when food is in their mouths, and to sit upright while eating.

If something does get caught in your child’s throat, quick thinking and swift actions can save their life.  Administer short back slaps or perform the Heimlich maneuver to clear breathing passage ways.  The time to learn those simple techniques is now, before you need them.  While CPR and First Aid classes are always recommended for families with young children, at the very least check with your doctor or nurse and have them show you what you need to do.

The bottom line is for both nannies and families to make sure that they are all up to date on their shots to prevent serious issues from arising.

However, once a family has this extra pair of hands in their home, they assume they should be kept busy every minute.  To keep them busy they start coming up with long lists of chores so the family thinks they are getting their monies worth.  The reality is that taking care of children is a full time job.  Ask your mother if you aren’t sure.  Keeping track of a child’s activities and being prepared for sudden and unexpected behaviors is not hard, but does require constant monitoring and a high state of awareness.  Most nannies will take care of cleaning up after the children, preparing their meals and even doing the children’s laundry.  But you do not want them kept so busy with household work that they neglect the children.  After all the whole reason for having a nanny is to take personal care of the children. 

Professional nannies that are given the time, can really help your child grow and prepare them for the next stage of their life.  By reading to toddlers and playing games with them helps develop skills that will prepare them for school.  With older children, helping with homework or even just making sure that the kids have the quiet time they need to study will help.  While some nannies will be able to help with some tutoring, I wouldn’t expect a nanny to help with trigonometry or advanced calculus homework.  Then again how many parents out their can help with all of the homework our kids bring home?  Okay, don’t be a show off.  I am sure there are some of you that can even help with quantum physics, but the majority of us start to pause when faced with anything above basic algebra.  Good nannies, just as good parents can still help their kids by removing distractions, preparing healthy snacks and providing support.  Most times that is all that a child needs to solve the problems on their own. 

Even for stay at home moms with multiple children, hiring a mother’s helper or nanny can be a very big plus to the growth of the whole family.  For one thing, having the extra help allows parents to spend more time with each of their children individually while the nanny watches the others.  The extra pair of hands and eyes may prevent accidents since the kids are being watched and cared for while lunch is being prepared or the laundry being done.  Not to mention the time the stay at home parent saves by being able to complete more tasks during the day so there is more time for the family at night. 

So when you think that hiring an in-home child caregiver, nanny or mothers helper, remember you might benefit even more than your children.

Being in the childcare field might make us think of uses more geared toward children than most, but I think that is a good thing.  Our suggestion is starting a college fund.  If you receive a $1,200.00 check it may not seem like much right now, but invested at 8% in a college fund for 18 years and it will grow to almost $5,000.00.  If you can afford to add just another $100.00 per month to that rebate check your college fund will grow to over $50,000.00 by the time your little one is ready to go. 

With expenses at universities continually increasing that small check may be a big help someday.  Even if it doesn’t cover all the costs it can make a very big dent.   

So how much is that little check worth?

The biggest issue with the day-care facility mentioned in the article, was that it had several complaints over the years and families did not take the time to check them out.  We all assume the government agencies are doing their jobs, but there isn’t enough time or manpower for them to follow up on every facility.  Whether you choose to hire a nanny or use a day-care center, remember the safety of your child is at stake and if you are not comfortable don’t leave your child.  In the case of the day-care facility they had 20 prior complaints and still nothing was done.  If you have the luxury of being able to afford a nanny, then you can take action immediately if you believe the situation calls for it. 

Dedicated Domestics is a modern company with old fashioned ethics.  Just as we will not work with an applicant that we would not feel comfortable hiring ourselves to help our family, we also would not expect the families that we work with to leave their children with anyone they do not feel comfortable with.