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When you take care of your grandkids — whether it's for a few hours or a few days — you're probably anxious to put all of your great parenting experience to good use.
But there are a few child care basics you may want to brush up on. Though you raised healthy kids in a safe environment, in recent years much research has been devoted to child safety. Government agencies and medical experts — such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — have developed a slew of safety standards and laws to keep kids healthy and out of harm's way. And as a result, many new products are available that make it convenient and economical for parents — and grandparents — to meet those new standards.
Whether you're caring for grandkids at their house or in your home, these tips can make the experience enjoyable — and uneventful — for all of you!
General Health
Safety
General Health
- Handwashing. Thorough handwashing — particularly after going to the bathroom and before preparing or eating food — is now recognized as one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of any illness, from the flu to diarrhea. To really get rid of germs: wet your hands with warm water, then rub with soap for at least 15 seconds (long enough to sing a few rounds of "Happy Birthday") before rinsing well. In a public restroom, dry your hands on a disposable towel, and use that towel to turn off the faucet. Teach your grandkids this important habit to help the entire family stay healthy. If you have a tough time getting them to make a stop at the sink, try soaps with bright colors, fun shapes, or appealing smells. Or have them sing a favorite song during the scrubbing.
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- Medications. Know what medications you can give your grandchild in the event of illness. If you have any questions, call the child's doctor before giving any over-the-counter medications. Also, kids who are 12 years old or younger should never be given aspirin, as it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, and behavioral changes, and often requires treatment in a hospital. Also, never give a child medications that have been prescribed to someone else, whether it's an adult or child. Even if two people have the same illness, they may require different drugs with different doses and directions.
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- Sleep. Infants younger than 1 year old should be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infants should not be placed on their stomachs or their sides to sleep. Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet on a firm mattress, without soft bedding, plush toys, or other soft objects. Loose bedding, such as blankets and sheets, should be tucked under the crib mattress to avoid covering the infant’s face. (Read more in the Cribs section below.)
Other ways to lower the risk of SIDS include:
- Keep room temperature comfortable and avoid over-bundling.
- Give the infant a pacifier at naptime and bedtime, but do not force it if the baby refuses it.
- Do not replace a pacifier that has fallen out during sleep.
- Do not expose the infant to cigarette smoke.
In addition, infants who sleep in the same room (though not the same bed) as their mothers have a lower risk of SIDS. Consider having a crib or bassinet in the room where you or the child's parents sleep.
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- TV, computers, and video games. Kids under 2 years old should not have any time in front of a screen, including TVs, DVDs or videos, and computers. After age 2, kids should have no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming a day. Offer your grandchild a variety of free-time activities to try instead of TV or videos, video games, and the Internet. The TV should be turned off during meals and homework, and you can set a good example by limiting your own TV watching. To help you decide what programs are appropriate for your grandchild, look for age-group rating tools on some TV programs and video games (they're usually listed onscreen).
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- Vaccines. Immunizations are one of the most important ways to keep kids — and everyone around them — healthy. Find out if your grandchildren are up-to-date on all their immunizations. In addition, it is particularly important for grandparents to get their annual flu shot. Anyone who has a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, or is 65 or older is considered in the high-risk group and should get flu shots every year. Flu shots are also recommended for any adult between the ages of 50 and 64. Flu shots are usually given between September and mid-November, though it is offered throughout the flu season.
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Safety
- Car seats. Babies and children should be in child safety seats that meet current standards. All children younger than 12 years should ride in the back seat with the appropriate safety restraint. Infants should be placed in a rear-facing seat until they're 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds (9 kilograms). Toddlers and preschool children (between 1 and about 4 years of age, weighing between 20 and 40 pounds [9 and 18 kilograms]) should use a forward-facing seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 years who are over 40 pounds (18 kilograms) should use a belt-positioning booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have safety seat laws and more than half have booster seat laws. Ask your local government office or department of motor vehicles about child safety restraint laws in your state. Even if your state does not require booster seats for older children, put safety first when traveling with your grandchild. Follow manufacturer recommendations and instructions and do not exceed weight limits.
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- Cribs. Use a firm crib mattress. To avoid suffocation hazards, keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib, including pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, etc. Cribs manufactured after 1974 meet current safety standards, including slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that infants can't get their heads stuck. A crib that has been in the family for generations may not be suitable or safe — cribs made before 1974 may be covered in lead paint, have slats that are too far apart, or pose other safety hazards. Before using a crib, check the side rails for locking devices. Remove mobiles when the infant is 5 months old or can get on hands and knees and remove crib bumpers, if using them, as soon as the infant can pull to stand.
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- Toys. Guidelines published by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) can help you determine which toys are age-appropriate for your grandchild. You may think that because your grandchild seems mature, he or she can handle a toy that was meant for an older child. But that's not a good idea, as age guidelines for toys are determined by developmental appropriateness as well as safety. When you shop for your grandchild look for sturdy, well-made toys that don't pose choking hazards. Cribs, toys, and equipment you might have used with your kids may have sentimental value, but often are not the safest option for your grandkids.
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- Walkers. Doctors strongly discourage the use of walkers — devices that have wheeled frames and suspended seats that allow babies to propel themselves forward using their feet. Infant walkers don't enable infants to walk any sooner than they would without one and they pose a high risk of injury, particularly from falls down stairs that may result in serious head injuries. Infant walkers also allow access to hazards normally out of reach, and they don't give infants the necessary pulling up, creeping, or crawling experiences that are the foundation for later movement. Stationary walkers are a safer alternative, but limit the amount of time spent in them.
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- Helmets. Helmets save lives and prevent serious head injuries so make sure that your grandchild always wears a helmet when riding a tricycle or bicycle. Many states and local municipalities have passed laws in recent years that require kids to wear helmets every time they ride their bikes. Fortunately, helmets are now being made in colors and styles that appeal to kids, so they're not as much of a hard sell as they once were. Make sure that your grandchild's helmet fits well. Be a positive role model (and protect your own head) by wearing your own helmet, too. Helmets should also be used for skating sports such as skateboarding, rollerskating, and in-line skating. The AAP recommends that kids always wear helmets and wrist, elbow, and knee padding for those sports.
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- Strangulation hazards. Babies and toddlers can strangle or become entrapped in the most unexpected ways — curtain cords, strings on clothing, and infant furniture and accessories can be dangerous. Reduce the risk of strangulation by not putting necklaces or headbands on your grandchild, and not dressing him or her in clothing with drawstrings, which can get caught on play equipment and furniture. And while it may be handy, don't tie a pacifier around your grandchild's neck or tether it clothing. Tie up all window blind and drapery cords so that they aren’t within reach of your grandchild, and avoid having telephone cords that dangle to the floor. While mobiles that dangle above the crib can offer babies great visual stimulation, they should be removed by 5 months of age or once your grandchild can get on his or her hands and knees. Be sure to install safety gates, but don't use old accordion-style ones, which can trap a child's head.
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- Choking hazards. Putting things in their mouths is one of the ways that babies and small children explore their worlds. But certain foods, toys, and other small objects that we probably take for granted can easily lodge in a child’s little airway. Common choking hazards for children under 4 years old include foods like peanuts, popcorn, raw carrots and other raw vegetables, hard fruits, whole grapes or cherries, or hard candies. Watch out for small plastic toys that come from vending machines, or parts of older siblings' toys, such as (Barbie) doll shoes or small construction pieces (like Leggos). Be especially vigilant during adult parties, when nuts and other foods might be easily accessible to small hands. Clean up promptly and carefully, and check the floor for dropped foods that can cause choking. Make sure small refrigerator magnets and other small items are out of your grandchild's reach.
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- Childproofing the house. Supervision is always the best way to keep grandkids safe. But it's also a good idea to childproof your home. Walk through your house with an eye for anything that may be unsafe for small children, including tools, knives, and choking hazards. For babies and toddlers, put outlet covers on all of the outlet plates. And don't forget safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. Look for products that adults can easily install and use, but which are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches and child-resistant packaging are not guarantees of protection, so be sure to keep medicines, household cleaners, and other dangerous substances locked away and out of reach. Consider doorknob covers and door locks to help keep kids away from places with hazards, like bathrooms and swimming pools. Child safety products are typically sold at drugstores, big-box stores, and hardware stores.
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- Lead exposure. It's important to do what you can to reduce your grandchild's exposure to sources of lead, particularly if he or she is younger than 3 years old. Lead, which is in paint, soil, and other areas around the house, has been linked to physical and behavioral problems. Though the government banned lead-based paint and gasoline in the 1970s, many older homes, toys, cribs, and even some furniture are covered in lead-based paint because they were painted before the ban. If you live in an older house, chances are that lead-based paint was used at some time. To minimize exposure to lead-based paint chips, use a wet cloth to wipe windowsills and walls, and watch for water damage that can make the paint peel. And limit your grandchild's exposure if you have major renovations done. Be sure that your grandchild washes his or her hands before eating, after playing outside, and at bedtime. Your child's doctor or local health department can provide more tips.
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- Older furniture. When grandkids comes over to stay with you, don't use old cribs or baby furniture that your own children might have used many years ago. Though these items may have served your kids just fine and have undeniable nostalgic appeal, they may not meet current safety standards, may be covered in lead paint, and may be worn down. Equipment needs to be in good condition and up to current safety standards.
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- Internet safety. The Internet can be a great resource, and your grandchild may astound you with his or her ability to navigate a computer keyboard or an Internet search engine. As technology has improved, it's become an integral part of school and kids' lives. But it's important to reduce risks that kids might be exposed to online. Online tools can restrict access to adult material and protect your grandchild from Internet predators. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) provide parent-control options to block certain material from coming into a computer. Software also can help block access to certain sites based on a "bad site" list that your ISP creates. Filtering programs can block sites from coming in and restrict your grandchild's personal information from being sent online. Also, it's wise to create a screen name that protects a child's real identity. And consider adding house rules for computer use, such as: never give your name or address on the computer, and never click on pop-up ads or offers to purchase things.
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- Emergency information. Be prepared in case you need to take your grandchild to the doctor or hospital. It's important to know the child's medical history, including any allergies and any medication your grandchild may be taking. Also have information about the child's insurance coverage and written permission from the parents authorizing you to seek medical care for the child.
Numbers to know:
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. If you have a poisoning emergency, call for the poison control center in your area.
- Police/Ambulance: If your grandchild has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 or local emergency numbers.
- Phone number for your grandchild's doctor.
- Parents' work and cell phone numbers.
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After raising healthy, safe, kids, now is the time to enjoy your role as a grandparent. Respecting your own child’s role as a parent, and the advice from the child's doctor, will make your visits — and your grandparenting experience — a whole lot smoother.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: May 2006
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