How Can A Babysitter Care For Kids With Medical Conditions -1

When you are babysitting a child with some medical condition you may be more focused on what to do rather than having fun. It is best in the interest of the babysitter to know about the child's health condition by asking parents and others the right questions to prepare yourself for time together. I will be covering some of these conditions.

Allergies

It is found that kids could be allergic to so many things starting from food, to pets, to insect stings and pollen, with some of these allergic reactions proving to be life threatening. It will help to know in advance what is to be avoided and the steps to be taken in case of a serious reaction.

The babysitter should ask the parents the following questions: 

1) What are the things the child is allergic to and should be avoided?

 

2) What are the symptoms of the allergic reaction and has it turned serious for the child?

3) What is the treatment for an allergic reaction? Does the child have an epinephrine injector and how do I use it?

4) Is the child allergic to one food or to more than one food and what are they?

It would help to ask the parents if certain places are triggers that a child should avoid. If the child is allergic to pets it would help to ask parents if they should avoid taking them to a friend’s house that has a pet and instead ask him/her to come and play at their house. In case of seasonal allergies, it would help keeping the child indoor at those times of the year when the child is allergic to pollen and climatic changes.

The babysitter should look out for rare but serious allergic reactions that include tightness or swelling in the throat; trouble swallowing and speaking; wheezing, hives, or skin swelling; a fast heartbeat or pulse; and dizziness. Use an epinephrine auto injector immediately and call 911 right away.

Asthma

Children with asthma attacks have flare-ups that tighten the muscles around the tiny airways making it difficult to breathe; the triggers for these flare-ups could be anything from climatic changes to animals and being around with smokers.

It is best for babysitters to ask parents the following questions:

1) What are the triggers of the child’s asthma?

2) What kind of activities the child can do and what is to be avoided?

3) What are the warning signs that the child is having an asthma attack?

4) What is the course of action if the child has an asthma attack?

5) What does the child use when he has an asthma attack – does he use an inhaler or any other medication. Show me how to use any equipment that may be needed.

6) Should I call you first or give the medication to the child when the child has an asthma attack?

Ask the parent to suggest any activities that the child can engage in; it is found that even exercise can be a common trigger, while some may not be affected by running around and being active.

Look for signs of flare up like a lot of coughing, tightness or pain in the chest.

I will be soon coming out with babysitting for more medical conditions. 

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