NYS Super Sitters Get Hands-On Experience

By Larissa Lytwyn

Members of Newtown Youth Services’ latest Super Sitters session enjoyed hands-on experience during their last meeting on December 9 when they got to meet 6-month-old Samantha “Sam” Merrow.

Sam is the daughter of past Bee education reporter Tanjua Damon.

“I figured [working with Sam] would be great practice for [the Super Sitters members] when they get the opportunity to baby-sit very young children, including infants,” said Ms Damon.

Super Sitters’ advisor Roseanne Loring quizzed members on various baby-care related questions, including the use and management of a teething ring and how to awaken a sleeping infant with the utmost gentility.

“The way to wake up a baby properly is simply to tap or touch its foot gently,” Ms Loring said, using a cabbage patch doll to demonstrate.

Ms Loring also discussed the phenomena of infant spit-ups and projectile vomit.

“If the projectile vomit happens when you are baby-sitting, you should definitely tell the parents,” Ms Loring advised. “Always report any unusual behavior.”

Frequent incidences of projectile vomit can signify a serious gastrointestinal condition.

Throughout the discussion, the members, all sixth graders at Reed Intermediate School, enjoyed holding and playing with little Sam.

Carolyn Fagerholm even had the opportunity to help Ms Damon change the baby’s diaper.

Both Ms Damon and Ms Loring emphasized the importance of keeping an attentive eye on a baby at all times, even when the phone rings.

“If the phone rings while you are holding the baby, either carry the baby with you to the phone or simply ignore it,” Ms Damon advised. “Let it ring or let the [answering] machine get it.”

Ms Loring also reflected on the importance of keeping a hawklike eye on a baby when bathing it, since bathrooms are one of the top sites for household mishaps.

“Babies can drown in as little as an inch and a half of water,” Ms Loring warned. “All that needs to happen is their face turning down into the water.”

It is important, she said, to keep the baby upright and use only gentle brands of soap and shampoo, such as Johnson & Johnson.

Next week, the Super Sitters will learn about proper care for toddlers.

For more information on Super Sitters, or any other information regarding NYS, call 270-4335.