At first you may feel a longing for your baby when she/he is just across the room with dad or grandma. But gradually, you’ll begin to feel less attached to baby, and sooner or later, you’ll consider the idea of hiring a sitter to care for him/her. Whether you crave a peaceful afternoon to yourself or an evening out with your partner, choosing the right babysitter is important–both for the safety of your child and for your own peace of mind.

Ask for the names of reliable babysitters from friends and relatives.

Look for someone who’s taken a babysitting course or CPR training and who’s had a lot of experience babysitting children the same age as your child.

Ask for references from prospective sitters and check them out.

Interview the babysitter at your house so he can meet your child and see your home.

If your child will be cared for at the sitter’s home, visit the sitter there to assess its cleanliness and safety.

Develop your own sitter. Ask a teen you like to spend time with the baby while you’re at home working or resting. After several sessions of supervising and training, you may be ready to trust your sitter to solo. (You may want to offer to pay for a first aid/CPR class.)

By the time your baby is 3 months old, she/he will begin to be aware of who’s staying with him/her. It’s a good idea to make introductions in advance. If your baby already is familiar with the sitter, he/she may be more willing to accept his care for a few hours. If possible, invite the babysitter over for an hour or so to play with your child beforehand.

When you’re finally ready to take the plunge and leave your baby in someone else’s care, leave the sitter all of the pertinent information on a Babysitter’s Information Sheet. If this is the sitter’s first job in your home, give him/her a house tour so he’ll/she’ll know where to find the telephone and all emergency exits. Each time you go out, print out the form below and leave it in a handy spot. Then relax and enjoy yourself!