You've waited for what seems like ages to finally be able to spoil a grandchild rotten and enjoy free time lavishing your son or daughter's new baby with love. Now that the time has arrived, you can't take your eyes off the little bundle of joy. Secretly, you're also terrified inside, dreading the day your children ask you to watch the baby alone. After all, you haven't held a newborn since your own children were little and you can't remember the do's and don'ts of childcare.



Relax! You have done this all before and while it's not quite like riding a bike, you will get the hang of it again. There are a few things you need to do to prepare yourself and your home for visits from the little one, but other than that, you will be fine.

To get ready, keep these refresher tips in mind:

Baby care basics – Give yourself a chair and about two seconds and you will remember just how easy it is to hold and love a baby. This part will come easy. Beyond that, you just need to make sure the new mother and father fill you in on sleep routines, feeding schedules and any allergies the baby might have. If they have particular instructions or do's and don'ts of their own, ask before you agree to watch the infant alone. Diapering, feeding, burping and cuddling will all come back to you quickly enough.

Preparing for the baby – If you know you'll be watching the baby on a fairly regular basis, it's best to start baby proofing your home early. Wait until your grandchild reaches the toddler stage and you will be behind the curve. While you might not remember going through so much trouble for your own children, you will appreciate taking the right steps in advance because they can help make sitting almost trouble free. Things to remember to do include putting all chemicals and medications out of reach, getting chain locks for doors that are high enough a child can't get to them, covering outlets with special plugs, putting latches on cabinets, drawers and toilet lids and closing off sources of water with special gates or secured doors. You may also want to put up your breakables and special items you don't want a baby getting into.

First aid basics – First aid for babies and toddlers isn't quite like what it used to be. Gone are the days of baby aspirin, cold medicines and other similar remedies. To prepare, ask your children what they use for fever and pain relief, for example. Also, get yourself a ready-prepared first aid kit designed for infants and toddlers. A good one will have such items as a first aid book, nose aspirator, thermometer and other basic supplies. It's also a good idea to take an infant CPR and first aid class.

Other considerations – Before baby stays at your house without Mom and Dad, you may also want to make arrangements to have a play yard or pen, bassinet or crib, swing and other items on hand. If you plan on traveling with the little one – even around the corner – invest in a child safety seat. Make sure your children leave behind contact numbers, including the baby's pediatrician in case an emergency arises.

Taking care of your new grandchild can seem quite daunting at first. Just relax, breathe and remember you've been through it all before. The ins and outs will come back to you quickly enough. Have fun and your grandchild will, too!