What to Tell the Babysitter About Your Child’s Asthma
When your child has asthma there will always be some extra instructions you need to give when you leave him or her with a babysitter. You should make sure that your daycare centre, school and any friends or relatives who will be taking care of your child have the same information too.
Go Through the Asthma Action Plan:
Take some time to review your asthma action plan before leaving your child with a babysitter. You should make sure that the babysitter knows how to recognise the onset of an attack and how to provide asthma attack treatment. You should also leave a copy of the action plan in an obvious place and that you point it out to the sitter.
Explain What Might Trigger an Attack:
Make sure that the babysitter knows which triggers to avoid, particularly if this means avoiding playing outside when there is a high pollen count or putting a soft toy in the bed when your child goes to sleep. You should also consider your child’s asthma triggers when choosing a babysitter, particularly if your child will be going to their home, where there could be pets or other allergens.
Demonstrate How to Use the Inhaler:
Make sure that the babysitter knows which inhaler to use and how it works. It is worth going over this even if the babysitter has experience with asthma as they may not have used the same type of inhaler before.
Explain When to Use the Inhaler:
The babysitter also needs to know when your child will need medication and where the inhalers are kept. If your child has to use his or her inhaler before exercising as well as if an attack occurs, make sure the babysitter knows.
Leave Your Contact Details:
It is always important for a babysitter to be able to get in touch with you, so make sure you leave your contact details along with the asthma action plan. Even if you never need to be called, it is reassuring to know that you can be reached if your child does need asthma attack treatment.
Go Through the Asthma Action Plan:
Take some time to review your asthma action plan before leaving your child with a babysitter. You should make sure that the babysitter knows how to recognise the onset of an attack and how to provide asthma attack treatment. You should also leave a copy of the action plan in an obvious place and that you point it out to the sitter.
Explain What Might Trigger an Attack:
Make sure that the babysitter knows which triggers to avoid, particularly if this means avoiding playing outside when there is a high pollen count or putting a soft toy in the bed when your child goes to sleep. You should also consider your child’s asthma triggers when choosing a babysitter, particularly if your child will be going to their home, where there could be pets or other allergens.
Demonstrate How to Use the Inhaler:
Make sure that the babysitter knows which inhaler to use and how it works. It is worth going over this even if the babysitter has experience with asthma as they may not have used the same type of inhaler before.
Explain When to Use the Inhaler:
The babysitter also needs to know when your child will need medication and where the inhalers are kept. If your child has to use his or her inhaler before exercising as well as if an attack occurs, make sure the babysitter knows.
Leave Your Contact Details:
It is always important for a babysitter to be able to get in touch with you, so make sure you leave your contact details along with the asthma action plan. Even if you never need to be called, it is reassuring to know that you can be reached if your child does need asthma attack treatment.