Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

i have 1 niece and 5 nephews so i know all about diapers and feedings, etc. sometimes my niece and nephews accidentally call me "mommy" because i spend so much time with them!

i think im well prepared.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

besides baby sitting and helping with my younger sister and cousins...i have never been fully responsible..it terrifies me!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

Posted by Ophelia

I helped my mom with all of my younger siblings, but I was almost the exclusive caregiver for a time to my baby sister when she was born.

my mom suffered from PPD, and my dad was not always around. I fed her, bathed her, changed her, woke up with her at night...all while still being in high school.

I LOVE her and I love kids, but that experience is one of the reasons I waited so long to have children. it definitely shaped me, especially at a young age.

but, I also feel it makes me slightly more "ok" with what is in store....I may not know what will happen to ME personally, after the baby. but I am adequately confident in my ability to care of my little Newton, crumbs and all!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I have 3 nieces and a nephew, so I have plenty of experience.

I did watch my nephew on a full time basis, but he was about a year old old at the time (I think I may have watched him full time when I had off from college too, when he was about 6-8 months old). BEST JOB I EVER HAD! He was the easiest baby, so fun to be around. We just watched Sesame Street, took naps, played on the swing set, went for walks...it was the BEST!! We have such a bond because of this. When he was about 2 he told my sister that he wished he could have two mommies. She asked him who would be his other mommy and he said "Aunt Tara." Totally melted me.

Now he's doing to be 12! My baby!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I've never babysat, changed or fed a baby.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

Maybe once in a while I babysat for a really tiny infant. But, not often. I am sooo nervous. I can take care of an older baby.. but, I am clueless about an infant!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I babysat a lot in high school, pretty regularly for a 4 month old baby and a toddler. I also have four cousins born when I was between the ages of 12 and 17 - I used to take the bus to my aunt's house after school to help her out some afternoons. And then I was camp counsellor for pre-school aged kids. But I know that experience doesn't equate to taking care of an infant full time.

As our friends and family have been having babies now, DH and I have been thrown into babysitting all over again

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I babysat throughout middle school and high school but haven't been around a infant in a long time.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I have 5 nieces and 2 nephews so I've been around plenty of babies however caring for one on a 24 7 basis is going to be a totally different experience. I am definitely excited but also a little nervous. I will have my mom, sisters and nieces around to help though! It takes a village.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I always babysat as a kid. My husband had minimal experience with babies. I will say when it is 24/7 and your own kid the experience is sooo different than those babysitting days.

What I think is funny is you have to study and take tests for many professions, to get a drivers license etc. But you just have sex and get PG and they let you take a baby home. Not training needed. SCARY!!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

I have 1 nephew who is just over 1 year old and I have changed diapers(not poopy) and fed him but I have never watched him on my own...so basically I have not much experience, especially not caring for one 24/7...I am hoping I get some major motherly instincts!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

even though I had years of care giving experience from nieces and nephews as well as, friends...nothing could prepare me for what was in store. Although I was able to change and bathe my son without incident, the other factors i.e. hormones, juggling mommy hood with being a wife, and even keeping my house clean made the experience a very challenging one. There are so many factors...and yes having previous care giver experience will give you one leg up...but don't be discouraged if you find that it was harder than you originally expected.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

HUmmmmm I HAVE HAD ZERO EXPERIENCE with a Baby or Infant... But I am Ready For the Challenges ahead...

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

not tons of experience with newborns, no... so i am a little nervous about that. but i started babysitting and all that at a young age and being in a huge family, there was always someone small around. however, as a teacher, i have a lot of experience from ages 3 and up and have been the teacher in Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. i feel more ready to have a toddler than an infant!

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

No experience what so ever... never changed a diaper, fed a baby, burped a baby... I've held one a couple of times....

I am in for a bunch of surprises.... I am really relying on that maternal instict to kick....

Message edited 4/16/2009 2:27:36 PM.

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

No experience at all

Re: Sorta spinoff...how many of us have cared for an infant on a regular, consistent basis before?

Ive cared for a boat load of infants before Abby in both family and professional situations. Absolutely NOTHING could have prepared me for the 24/7 care of a newborn and now infant. Add nursing to the mix, and it was a 100% different ballgame. It simply does not pan out the one thinks it will. It certainly did not for me. It can be better, it can be harder, but nothing fits into the "I've done this one million times before" mold.