Category Archives: Childcare

Providing care for newborns and infants is one of the most rewarding and delicate roles in childcare. As a caregiver, your presence, attention and responsiveness make a lasting impact on both baby and family. Here is a helpful checklist when caring for an infant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an infant is defined as a child from birth up to 12 months old.

🕚 1. Presence & Patience

☐ Learn baby’s cues: crying, rooting, eye rubbing, arching back
☐ Use a calm voice and slow, gentle movements
☐ Expect fussy periods, cluster feeding and growth spurts
☐ Stay calm to lower stress for both baby and parents

🍼 2. Feeding & Burping

☐ Follow family’s feeding plan exactly (breast milk, formula or both) and heat up as directed by the parent—everyone does this differently
☐ Hold semi-upright for all feedings—never flat
☐ Burp every 2–3 oz (bottle), ask the mom how to burps to keep consistent (hold baby’s jaw or lay on shoulder)
☐ Watch hunger cues: rooting, sucking hands, smacking lips
☐ Watch fullness cues: turning away, slowing down
☐ Wash/sanitize bottles thoroughly
☐ Track times and amounts if requested
☐ Never prop a bottle or put baby to bed with one

💤 3. Safe Sleep Practices (AAP)

☐ Always place baby on their back (“Back to Sleep”)
☐ Use a firm mattress with fitted sheet only—no blankets, pillows, bumpers or toys
☐ Supervise naps frequently: check breathing, color, comfort
☐ Dress baby in one light layer more than you’d wear

👶 4. Diapering & Hygiene

☐ Check diapers every 2–3 hours and after feedings
☐ Wipe front to back for girls
☐ Clean under folds for all babies
☐ Apply diaper cream only as directed by parents
☐ Track wet/dirty diapers for health monitoring (type into your phone and send to mom after they happen or add to notebook if mom asks)
☐ Wash hands before and after every change

💗 5. Soothing & Bonding

☐ Swaddle for security (stop once baby shows signs of rolling, usually around 2 months old)
☐ Rock, gently bounce or baby-wear (if approved)
☐ Use white noise, humming or shushing sounds
☐ Offer pacifier (if allowed)
☐ Mirror parents’ soothing techniques for consistency

🧠 6. Support Development

☐ Talk, sing and read in a calm, expressive voice
☐ Provide supervised tummy time (2–3 min, several times daily)
☐ Offer safe visual/tactile experiences (soft toys, black-and-white books, gentle music)
☐ Encourage eye contact and respond to coos/babbles

🚩 7. Recognize Red Flags

☐ Call parents if fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (rectal)
☐ Watch for difficulty breathing, wheezing or grunting
☐ Notice unusual lethargy or extreme irritability
☐ Report refusal to feed for multiple feedings
☐ Track wet diapers—fewer than 4 in 24 hours is concerning
☐ Watch for blue, pale or blotchy skin

💬 8. Communication With Parents

☐ Share feeding, nap and diaper logs daily
☐ Give short updates on mood, milestones or sweet moments
☐ Stay calm and reassuring with new or nervous parents
☐ Send photos only if pre-approved
☐ Listen carefully and respect parents’ requests

🛡️ 9. Overall Safety

☐ NEVER leave baby unattended on couch, bed or changing table—even if they can’t roll yet
☐ Always use rear-facing, properly installed car seat when traveling
☐ Keep small objects, cords and hot liquids out of reach
☐ Know infant CPR & choking procedures — watch the Red Cross Child & Baby CPR Video
☐ Keep emergency contacts & pediatrician info accessible

Based on AAP® (American Academy of Pediatrics) guidelines. For resources: www.aap.org

Childcare

Family Mental Health: How Bell Family Can Support With Newborn and Infant Care

July 21, 2025 bellfamilycompany

Caring for a newborn or infant is a full-time responsibility, and without regular breaks or support, it can quickly take a toll on a parent’s mental health. Bell Family’s on-demand babysitting and nanny placement services are designed to provide that essential relief by connecting families with experienced, trusted caregivers who can step in when parents need time to rest, work or simply regroup. Whether it’s a few hours during the day to jump into work, catch up on sleep or take a quiet moment for yourself, our caregivers help create breathing room in the often-overwhelming early months of parenthood. We help with in-home infant care that is geared for daytime hours or even overnight needs to ensure care is provided around the clock.

Prioritizing mental health is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. By making it easier to access quality newborn or infant care during the day, our services support healthier routines for both parent and child. When caregivers are emotionally and physically supported, they show up more present, patient and engaged. With our flexible, vetted childcare options, we’re proud to help families build a foundation of balance and well-being from the very beginning.

Looking to hire a babysitter or nanny? Bell Family Company provides fully vetted on demand babysitting, including full and part time nannies, baby nurses, temp sitters after school sitters and more! Learn why BFC is the best childcare agency, with childcare providers available across the U.S. (on-demand service available in the Tri-state & Dallas areas). Contact us today to hire!

Childcare

What Moms Are Doing for Childcare Over Summer

April 3, 2024 bellfamilycompany

We talked with some of our Bell Family moms to see what they are doing for childcare this summer. Read below and get inspiration for your summer childcare plan.

Still looking for childcare help this summer? Reach out to us and we’ll work with you to find the childcare coverage you need!

Mandy, mom of 1

I have my kiddo enrolled in full-time summer camp at the YMCA over the summer to keep him busy during the daytime. The camp is great — it has a new theme every week and a bunch of his school friends also attend. We’re sure to get in at least one family trip to the lake over the summer where we hire a BFC Travel Sitter to help and that’s a savor!

Lindsay, mom of 3

This summer will kick off with some local science and sports camps and a part time summer nanny to help me tag team the shuffling from activity to activity. After camp is complete, we are road tripping to Nashville to say howdy to my husband’s alma mater, then to Washington, D.C. to see my sister and her family. Next, we go to Ohio for 4 weeks to work on Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. The kids will have their morning brain exercises, daily chores, lots of play and cousin time, then off to Michigan for 1 week to celebrate Grandpa’s 70^th birthday before we start the journey back to Texas. Once we are back home, I will have sitters help me tag team the remaining few weeks to run errands, plan activities and swim!

Hannah, mom of 2

My 8-year-old daughter is enrolled in camps this summer. She is going to Girl Scouts, guitar camp, soccer camp, and YMCA camp. Luckily, I work from home so on the days I don’t have something lined up, she will be home with me. My 2-year-old son will split time in daycare and our part time nanny because I could not handle him solo while I work at home.

Looking to hire a babysitter or nanny? Bell Family Company provides fully vetted & FULLY VACCINATED on demand babysitting, including full and part time nannies, baby nurses, temporary care and more! Learn why BFC is the best childcare agency, with childcare providers available across the U.S. (on-demand service available in the Tri-state & Dallas areas). Contact us today to hire!

Childcare

What Is FSA and How Can It Be Used for Childcare?

February 16, 2022 bellfamilycompany

Did you know you can get reimbursed for your BFC membership and the BFC nanny placement fees under your FSA (Sometimes called a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP))?

Ask your employer if they offer FSA. If they do, ask for the form to fill in. Email the completed form to BFC and we will sign, attach a letter and invoice with the amount. Then you will need to submit the completed paperwork back to your employer. That’s it!

What is a FSA?

Some U.S. employers offer their employees a flexible spending account (FSA) or sometimes known as a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). This is an employer-sponsored plan that allows you to set aside a portion of your income on a pre-tax basis and then use that money to pay for eligible, employment-related dependent care expenses incurred for a qualifying individual.

What is the advantage of participating in a dependent care FSA?

Your contributions to these accounts are tax-free, saving you money on federal, state income taxes and Social Security taxes. These FSAs can help you save money on healthcare and dependent care expenses such as childcare.

*Ask your employer how much they will reimburse towards your FSA before you begin. Ask if there is a use it or lose it policy. Many FSA expire by the end of the year, even more reason to use those funds now towards childcare! BFC does not guarantee reimbursements, all reimbursements are determined by an employer.

Dependent Care FSA Information

Looking to hire a babysitter or nanny? Bell Family Company provides fully vetted & FULLY VACCINATED on-demand babysitting, including full and part time nannies, baby nurses, temporary care, help with virtual learning, and more! Learn why BFC is the best childcare agency, with childcare providers available across the U.S. (on-demand service available in the tri-state area). Contact us today to hire!

Childcare

The Best Baby Shower Gift

August 23, 2018 lindsay-bell

As a woman, it’s inevitable that you will host, attend, or somehow be apart of a baby shower in your lifetime. There’s often the usual suspects when it comes to gifts: diapers, clothes, stroller, bassinet. The same old gifts can become rather dull, and if you’re anything like me, you kind of want to pick out those things yourself. That’s part of the fun, right?
What if we told you that we have the new and improved best baby shower gift? After talking to local expecting moms about what is on their baby shower registry, we found that it’s not your typical ask. No more monogrammed blankets or boxes of diapers, what moms really want as a gift is childcare relief!
Moms are asking for funds to go towards babysitters, nannies, and baby or night nurses. Think of it as a GoFundMe for all things childcare.
Of course the Bell Family team fully supports this idea! If you’re looking to be apart of this one-of-a-kind gift, contact us. We can make all arrangements for your friend or family member – no stress! You can purchase a gift card, buy babysitting hours, or put money towards the mom’s future childcare provider. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Written by our Marketing & Social Media Consultant, Taylor Bell

Childcare

Smooth Sailing Into Summertime

July 19, 2018 lindsay-bell

The transition to summertime can feel a little precarious for children and grown-ups alike. Schedules and routines may change. Caregivers and environments may be different. Familiarity may be less available. What to do?
The first step is get yourself comfortable with what’s to come. Solidify a plan, ask questions of new caregivers, reflect upon successful transitions from the past. Then support your child. I often recommend that parents, depending on their child’s age and need, use one (or a few) of the following:

Write a social story. This can be 4-6 pages (or so) and describes, in child-friendly language, what is ending and what is beginning. Talk about the emotions a child may be experiencing and mention the “tools” that child has for managing those emotions. Use photographs if you can to show the child in each step. For younger children, I write the story. For older children, I try to engage them in the story telling, or include fill-in-the-blank sections for them to add. There are many social stories available online as well.

Use a calendar. Some children love to have a calendar at their eye level that they can check from time to time. One week may show a small picture (photo or drawing) that depicts them and friends from school. The next might show the logo from the camp they are attending. You could also include photos of grandma and grandpa, or friends you may be visiting. Try to strike a balance between giving a general sense of where they are going to be and when, with giving too many details that can inhibit flexibility.

Write out the sequence. For many children, simply writing down what is going to happen on a piece of paper can be incredibly supportive. Recently, I used this strategy with a client who seemed to be showing some increased anxiety. Though no one was quite sure what it was about. It turned out, he had been feeling sad about leaving his current teachers but was also concerned that he would be on a bus to camp without any grown-ups. Writing down the sequence of events opened a discussion during which I explained what a counselor was and the fact that they would be on the bus.

I find that supporting transitions is helpful for all children (and most grownups too). Even when we don’t see external signs of anxiety related to transitions, children may be wondering what’s to come. Let me know how it goes!
As always, a friendly reminder that you don’t have to do it alone! Whether you have concerns about developmental delays or you’re going through some bumps you’d like to smooth out. If I can help you accomplish the goals you have for yourself and your family, please reach out. You deserve to feel competent, joyful, and EMPOWERED, when you are with your children. They should feel self-confident and have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. I can help you do that!

This blog has been repurposed from the Dana’s Kids website. To learn more about the writer, Dana Rosenbloom M.S. Ed., click here.

Childcare

Childcare Tips for Children With Behavioral Challenges

July 1, 2018 lindsay-bell

We spoke with a couple Bell Family sitters who have years of experience working with children with behavioral challenges or special needs, and wanted to share their tips, so you too, feel comfortable and confident in the same situation.
Bell Family Sitter #1: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working with children with Autism and other special needs for over nine years.
Working with children with special needs is just like working with other kids in many ways. These children need you to care for them, help them, play with them and more! I think it is important to keep in mind that these children and kids like everyone else. However, depending on their needs, it may be hard for them to communicate, follow directions, get around or tolerate less preferred things.
If you are working with a kid with special needs, always speak to the parents about their limitations so you are prepared. For example, if the child has trouble communicating, they may be more likely to have behaviors when they want to ask for things they need. The more information you can get from the parents regarding the child’s needs and routines, the better! Also, ask about any safety concerns you should be aware of. This is a very important question! You want to make sure you know what to do in case of an emergency since the child may not react like other children, or may be more prone to danger because of his or her special needs.
If you can, try to observe how the parents interact with the child before they leave you for the day. This will typically give you a good idea of the ways to communicate with the child and what the child may enjoy. It is possible the child prefers to be alone and wants to read in the corner, that’s okay too. Let the child show you what they want to do!
Always follow the child’s typical schedule and try your best not to change the routine too much. When transitioning between activities, it is often helpful to give a warning. For example, you may say “Okay, five more minutes until we eat lunch” while the child is playing a video game. Try to use simple language and be direct when you are giving instructions.
Lastly, if your child is having a tantrum, remember to stay calm. You may not always understand the reason but try not to get flustered. Make sure the child stays safe and try to redirect their attention to something else and get back on schedule. Always remember these are just kids so just have fun!
Bell Family Sitter #2: Masters from NYU in Social Work with a focus on clinical social work with children and families. Currently working as a social worker at a hospital in Manhattan.

When working with children with behavioral challenges such as ADD and ADHD, certain adjustments may be necessary to your caregiving practices. Each child has their own set of needs, and what might be a useful practice with one child, might not be helpful with another, and thus it is important to gain a sense of individual differences of what has worked in the past from the parents themselves before you begin your time with families.
Providing rewards and consequences for behaviors that are either positive or negative, providing consistency in routines and expectations, and being extra diligent with safety precautions, are all things to keep top of mind. It is important that when working with children with certain differences, we do not treat them drastically different than we would treat their siblings who are without challenges. We should instead adapt certain practices in order to ensure they continue to learn, thrive, and grow in the safest environment possible. Children who are older and have behavioral challenges may require enhanced supervision, more structure in their daily routines, and more assistance with tasks such as completing their homework.
Look to think outside of the box to find ways in which we can help children – for instance – by taking breaks in between tasks and limiting electronic use until after certain items are completed.
I worked with a family where one child had both ADHD and dyslexia, and completing homework was quite the challenge after school. We initially tried to work on assignments together right when she got off the bus in order to get it out of the way, however, it was clear that wasn’t working when she could barely sit still and complete a single question on the sheet. I realized it was important to allow some time for relaxation and mind stimulation in ways other than homework after a long day in the classroom. We began to spend some time after school kicking around a soccer ball, playing board games, and engaging in other recreational activities. Then, we designated a certain time to begin homework with additional time to wind down in the evening. I found this to be an effective way to meet her halfway, and before I knew it, she was able to focus on the assignments with a clear mind.
Such practices might not be of use with all children, but this is just an example of how we can be flexible and adjust our days with little ones in the hopes that getting through the day for them is that much more feasible and pleasurable.

Written by our Marketing & Social Media Consultant, Taylor Bell

Childcare

Potty Training – What You Need to Know

November 16, 2017 lindsay-bell

The exact age that a child should be potty trained is…
There isn’t one!
Generally speaking, healthy children aren’t physically and emotionally ready to start using a potty until they are between 18 months and 3 years old.
In America and most of Western Europe, the age of potty training is all over the board. Some train at 18 months and some don’t get there until 4. With that said, training earlier will save money on diapers and wipes, will make parents lives easier, and is much kinder to the environment. Three things that will make parents think, let’s start potty training now!
However, some parents are waiting longer to potty train. Why you ask?

Disposal diapers – There isn’t much motivation to do more laundry
“Wait till they’re ready” – Most parents are under the impression that “ready” means the child will completely self train one glorious moment. Let’s just say, that’s rare.
Power of social media – The internet is a big factor. One rare potty training horror story can easily be spread, striking fear in thousands of parents.

Needless to say, parents have to decide what the best age and approach is for their child. It can have much more to do with parents and their partner’s readiness than one would think.
Allow your instinct to guide you, because after all, who knows your child better than you?

This article was repurposed from lusiceslist.com. For the full article, read here.

Childcare

Raising a Bold, Brave, and Self-Reliant Boy

November 7, 2017 lindsay-bell

Have you ever wondered what motivates and drives your son in his everyday life? Teaching empowerment and belief in oneself is important, and it’s something parent’s can learn about in an upcoming event in New York City.
Join author and psychologist Dr. Adam Price, for an event explaining how to teach your son to persist when challenged, and to develop the critical self-regulation skills necessary for success. He will also decode ‘boy world,’ explain why some bucks are “too cool for school” and give you the tools to raise confident, emotionally strong men.
On Wednesday, November 15 (6:30 PM until 8:00 PM), take part in the event by registering with HRP Mamas. Don’t wait – the Tuesday event is already sold out!
For full event and registration details, click here.

Written by our Marketing & Social Media Consultant, Taylor Bell

Childcare

Weekend with a Toddler

October 31, 2017 lindsay-bell

A couple weeks ago I journeyed to New York City to babysit my nephew for the weekend. Sadly, I don’t get to see my nephew all too often because we don’t live close by. It’s normally family outings with a dozen people around, and I’m forced to steal him away to spend some one on one time with him. Finally, I have him all to myself!
My sister put him down for his afternoon nap before they left, so I had a couple of hours until the shenanigans began. I made a gesture to my sister earlier on how the stroller could benefit from a wipe down, so that was my first target. The high chair and a few other items followed, and before I knew it, Brooks was up from his nap.
Bottle, snack, and play time consumed our afternoon. Inside play consisted of wheeling around a train, burying him in pillows and him popping out to scare me, and talking all things digger trucks. After that, we made our way to the roof top play area for some fresh air. This consisted of endless running laps and tossing a ball back and forth to support my mission of tiring him out.
We journeyed back inside for dinner and a little more play time. Lastly, it was off to the bath, to the rocking chair for reading, and then to bed.
We spent the morning together and then Mom and Dad returned. It was so great to bond with my nephew and see him play/interact with the things around him. The energy of a toddler is real, if you all haven’t heard already. I was surely tired at the day’s end, but the little rascal made it all worth it.

Written by our Marketing & Social Media Consultant, Taylor Bell