The feeding & caring of baby Roboto: don't forget to plug me in!

BaSo, my friend and I are taking care of a Baby. It starts crying and screaming and such, so we put the bottle up to it’s lips and it won’t start drinking. We’ve tried everything and if we rock it, it stops crying after a few minutes. What do we do now?  Help!

- signed, Real Student

Here's what to do when Baby starts crying!

Step 1: Make contact so the baby can recognize you

Pick Baby up and listen for the chime sound. If Baby chimes, that means it recognizes you as the parent. The best areas for ID recognition are upper chest, upper back, diaper front, diaper back.

Step 2: Try feeding, burping, rocking, or changing diapers.

  • To Feed: Hold the bottle or breastfeeding device to Baby's mouth. Baby makes feeding sounds and coos when done. Hold Baby while feeding or Baby cries.
  • To Burp:  Pat Baby's back. Baby makes small whimpering sounds and then burps after several minutes.
  • To Rock: Provide constant, gentle rocking motion. Baby makes soft whimpering sounds and coos when done.
  • To Change a Diaper: Take Baby's diaper off. If Baby still whimpers. Put the OTHER diaper on. Baby coos. 

Step 3: If you heard the chime and Baby is still crying: Pick Baby up and try rocking for 1 minute.

Note: Baby's head may have been unsupported, it may have been roughly handled, or Baby may just be fussy. Rocking helps Baby quiet down .. Fussy crying lasts for 3 MINUTES and then Baby coos.

Step 4: If you did not hear the chime and Baby is still crying:  Double-check the ID.

Hold your ID next to Baby's diaper area and listen for the chime again. If Baby still does not chime, make sure Baby is being held on its back.

................................................................................................................................................................

What do those Baby sounds mean?

  1. Breathing sounds mean Baby is sleeping or being rocked.
  2. Coughing or cooing (happy) sounds means Baby is awake.
  3. Hearing the ID chime but not being able to quiet Baby for a few minutes means Baby was just fussy.
  4. Baby cries if it is upside down or on its tummy for five or more seconds.
  5. If you are feeding, burping, rocking, or changing Baby when the head falls back or you roughly handle Baby, Baby cries loudly. Rock Baby until it is quiet. You don't need to care for Baby until it cries again.


Caution: You have 2 minutes to start caring for Baby before missed care is recorded.

When crying really bothers you. . .

Frustration-reducing measures for when Baby is crying

  • Take several deep breaths and count to ten.
  • Say the alphabet.
  • Put Baby in a safe place, then leave the room for a few minutes.
  • Close your eyes and think of something pleasant.
  • Ask someone else to help.
  • NEVER take out your frustration on Baby. NOTE: Shaken Baby Syndrome will be recorded if Baby is shaken (head moves back, forward, and back again in two seconds).

Be considerate of others

  • Loud crying near people with potentially serious physical conditions, such as those susceptible to heart attack or stroke, should be avoided.
  • Baby's crying or other sounds may cause pets to become agitated or aggressive. Keep Baby
    out of the reach of pets or other animals.
  • Do not allow small children to play with Baby.
    Baby'S hands and feet could be a choking hazard.

 

What to do when Baby starts crying!

Step 1: Make contact so the baby can recognize you

Pick Baby up and listen for the chime sound. If Baby chimes, that means it recognizes you as the parent. The best areas for ID recognition are upper chest, upper back, diaper front, diaper back.

Step 2: Try feeding, burping, rocking, or changing diapers.

  • To Feed: Hold the bottle or breastfeeding device to Baby's mouth. Baby makes feeding sounds and coos when done. Hold Baby while feeding or Baby cries.
  • To Burp:  Pat Baby's back. Baby makes small whimpering sounds and then burps after several minutes.
  • To Rock: Provide constant, gentle rocking motion. Baby makes soft whimpering sounds and coos when done.
  • To Change a Diaper: Take Baby's diaper off. If Baby still whimpers. Put the OTHER diaper on. Baby coos. 

Step 3: If you heard the chime and Baby is still crying: Pick Baby up and try rocking for 1 minute.

Note: Baby's head may have been unsupported, it may have been roughly handled, or Baby may just be fussy. Rocking helps Baby quiet down .. Fussy crying lasts for 3 MINUTES and then Baby coos.

Step 4: If you did not hear the chime and Baby is still crying:  Double-check the ID.

Hold your ID next to Baby's diaper area and listen for the chime again. If Baby still does not chime, make sure Baby is being held on its back.

................................................................................................................................................................

What do the Baby sounds mean?

  1. Breathing sounds mean Baby is sleeping or being rocked.
  2. Coughing or cooing (happy) sounds means Baby is awake.
  3. Hearing the ID chime but not being able to quiet Baby for a few minutes means Baby was just fussy.
  4. Baby cries if it is upside down or on its tummy for five or more seconds.
  5. If you are feeding, burping, rocking, or changing Baby when the head falls back or you roughly handle Baby, Baby cries loudly. Rock Baby until it is quiet. You don't need to care for Baby until it cries again.


Caution: You have 2 minutes to start caring for Baby before missed care is recorded.

FYI

Bath or Shower

  • Do not place Baby in or near water.

Cooking

  • Do not place Baby on or near a stove, especially while cooking.

Driving

  • Use an infant car seat or carrier to transport Baby rather than holding Baby at all times.
  • Baby may cry while you are driving. Please be aware that the crying may start unexpectedly, and you should be prepared.
  • Failure to install Baby in a car seat in a motor vehicle could result in Baby or the seat becoming projectiles in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
  • Bring your vehicle to a complete stop in a safe location before caring for Baby, or to retrieve a piece of Baby's equipment that falls.
  • Do not feed, burp, rock, change diapers, or otherwise care for Baby while driving.
  • Do not operate any type of equipment or attempt tasks requiring the use of both hands while holding Baby.

Emergencies - when you must delay care of Baby

  • Make a note in your diary where you had to delay care of Baby because your safety or that of others may have been compromised.
  • Never leave Baby unattended in a public place given the potential for misunderstanding.

Posture

  • Baby weighs 6.5 to 7 pounds and could cause discomfort for individuals with back pain

Sleeping

  • Baby should sleep somewhere close to your sleeping quarters, but not in bed with you. Baby may fall out of the bed or you could roll over on it, causing damage to Baby and discomfort to you.

Wristband Rules

  • Never take your wristband off. Not only will you be deducted points, but you may lose the ID or stumble around in the dark looking for it if Baby cries during the night.

 

How to hold Baby

At your shoulder

Cradle Hold

Football Hold

Using a Carrier