Introducing your baby to a new caregiver is a lifetime decision that can be scary but beneficial to the family. It's a bold step that opens your home and children to people outside the family. The experience comes with great positive aspects, especially in social life.

 The ultimate goal is getting your baby and the caregiver to bond in a big way. To help the baby build an attachment with the new person and feel comfortable. Creating a bond allows a smooth transition from mum care to caregiver care. This helps the child open up, feel secure, and free with new people.

 Adjusting to a new caregiver will take some time for both the kid and caregiver, which is basically normal. Regardless of the kid’s age, they might not cheer or warm up quickly to the new caregiver. Hiring a new caregiver is the hardest thing for a parent, especially if the children bonded well with the previous nanny.

 Learning how to hire or choose a good caregiver/nanny who will be responsible for caring for the baby is very difficult. It is okay to feel off about anyone, but it's also okay to trust and try the new experience.

How long will it take for a baby to get used to a new caregiver?

It is important to keep in mind that there is no specific age or stage when your child will automatically jump into caregivers' hands and walk together. The duration of time it takes to get the baby comfortable with the caregiver depends on the feelings of the child.

Better ways to introducing your baby to a new caregiver

Here are some tips to ensure that you, your baby, and your new caregiver are as comfortable and at ease.

• Talk to your baby before the caregiver introduction day

Communicate with your baby about the importance of bringing another person into the house to care for them. Have an open conversation with your baby about the reason for hiring a new caregiver. Mention of new caregiver as you discuss plans with your baby to ensure them feel safe and secure with the new person in the house.

• Set up a family meeting.

Once a parent hires a caregiver, it is good to have a meeting for the baby to meet the new caregiver. Let the new caregiver get the baby's information of what they like and dislike. Introduce the baby to the new caregiver and have a great time doing a walkthrough of the house.  

• Formulate fun activities for the first day.

Planning fun activities with the new nanny/caregiver shifts their worried mood to an excited one. Allow the kids to do the activity together, like watching cartons, coloring, or playing a game. This will make the child learn more about the caregiver and not feel like a stranger again.

• Engage with the baby's favorite toys.

Encourage your kid to keep their favorite toys around during time spent with the caregiver as a reminder that change does not have to be unfamiliar. Allow as much consistency in your kid’s routines as possible when you transition to having a new caregiver. Introducing your baby to a new caregiver shouldn't be burdening but fun. The toys offer a familiar and homely sense for your baby.

• Supply a variety of foodstuff.

As a parent, make sure there's a variety of foodstuff for both the baby and the caregiver. This will make the baby have the freedom of saying what they want without feeling forced. This will allow room for conversation between them as the caregiver will be able to direct the kid on what to feed.

• Have some rules

One of the difficult parts of the baby and caregiver relationship is setting rules for the baby to follow. When you give out the rules, ensure both are aware of them to help reduce resistance. Some of the rules include:

• Feeding program of the baby
• Sleeping time of the kid
• Playing time
• Cleaning hours for the baby

• Remind the baby they can communicate with you.

It is very important to remind the baby to talk to you as the baby may end up spending a lot of time with the caregiver. Let the baby tell you about the caregiver and how they feel about them. At time the baby may feel scared with the nanny and fears to open up. Most of the time, the baby may adjust to having a new person in the house and move on with life.

• Allow freedom of activities they want to do

Ask the baby the activities they would like to do with the caregiver in the house or outside the home like:

• Going shopping together
• Visiting the park

The activities should be gradual as the trust grows with children and family. The first-time activities should be within the home before setting up more outdoor activities.

• Have a bedtime routine.

Make sure to tell the caregiver the details of the baby's bedtime routine to allow them to stay consistent with what the baby has been doing. Introducing a bedtime routine will make going to bed for the baby and staying asleep easier.

• Develop a goodbye habit.

Create a goodbye habit so that your baby starts to feel comfortable with the caregiver as soon as you leave the house. Just hug or give the baby a high five before you leave, and they will be able to regulate their emotions to allow them to calm down more easily when you go.

• Share your contact details.

Let the caregiver know the easier ways of reaching you as you leave the house. Share your contact details, and also, you can leave your friends' or colleagues' contacts with the caregiver to avoid difficulties in reaching you in case of anything.

The familiarization, trust, and bonding process will set in with time. Parents need to allow the nanny to work and feel comfortable with the kids and environment. The process is a two way procedure, make them feel loved and not like just employee. Once they are happy, it becomes easy to cater to the kids and even get more.