Infants are probably the most confusing children to babysit. They can’t tell you what they want, they can’t walk or talk, or if they can, they don’t do it very well. They need so much more care than other children do, and it can be very exhausting. You probably won’t be watching a baby less than three months old, so I will write in this article about babies 3 months to one year. I will tell you what they can and can’t do, and how you should care for them.
Three Months
Three-month-olds can smile, and they love to do it. Some of them can hold their head up, but others can’t, so be careful when picking them up until you are sure. Their hearing, language and smell are becoming better, to talk to the baby. They enjoy hearing human voice. Don’t feel silly because they can’t hear you. If you talk to the baby, in my experience, they are less likely to cry. They generally have to eat every three or four hours, the parents will tell you how often to give their baby a bottle.
Four Months
Four-month-olds are eating less by now. They enjoy watching other people, so if you are playing with other children, set the baby up where they can see you. They can generally sit up by themselves for a second or two, but stay right by them, don’t leave them sitting up. They will fall, and then you will have a crying baby. Most babies of this age are making lots of sounds, so you will have to listen at first to distinguish happy sounds from unhappy ones.
Five Months
By five months the baby can probably lift their head and shoulders off the ground by pushing with their arms. They enjoy being put on a blanket on the floor, and like to give and receive attention. The five-month-old is likely to make noise and wriggle to gain attention, instead of crying.
Six Months
Six-month-olds love to play peek-a-boo. They will generally play it over and over, laughing each time. This is a good way to entertain a baby, or to distract it from crying. Some of them can sort toys by size, and they like to admire themselves in a mirror. If you appear in the mirror when they are looking in it, they will probably turn to look at you, thinking you are in the mirror itself. Other skills are transferring a toy from one hand to the other, sipping from a two-handled cup with some help, banging objects together, clasping her hands, and grabbing for a toy using only one hand.
