A child care update for grandparents

     As a grand parent I try not to take studies and research like this personally. According to a report from CNN Health and shared by Working Mother there are several things grand parents might not be aware of when it comes to providing child care for their grand kids.

1. Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs, not their tummies or sides. This reduces the risk of SIDS.

2. 65 percent of grand parents didn't realize all cuts and scrapes need to be covered to reduce the risk of infection.

3. Almost half of grand parents in the study believed ice baths were a good way to reduce a fever. Today we know ice baths can reduce a baby's body temperature too much and lead to hypothermia.

     These are all good things to know. I still believe grand parents have something called experience which always makes them a great source of help and advice.  I believe it's up to parents to keep grand parents who provide child care informed about the latest techniques for keeping kids safe. 

     When I watch my grand daughter I tell my daughter to make sure she keeps her phone close in case I have any questions. It's all about communication. The one thing that makes grand parents good child care providers is patience.  There also has to be trust. By that I mean grand parents have to be trusted to follow the parents wishes not their own.  This has worked well for me so far. 

Source: CNN and Working Mother



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