DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / June 30, 1999

“I’ve never babysat before,” says 12-year-old Katie Kinler of Luling. “Iliked learning things I can do with children.”Kinler is talking about a recent babysitting course provided by the American Red Cross Branch in Luling. The two-day training coverseverything from basic first aid to how to burp an infant.

Babysitting is a way many youngsters earn their first pocket money, money needed to buy a new CD or a special T-shirt.

While some have had a little experience caring for younger siblings, others, like Kinler, are starting from scratch.

To demonstrate basic skills needed to care for an infant, Debra Adams, manager of the American Red Cross St. Charles Branch, gives each of theyoung participants a life-sized baby doll to feed, bathe, dress and diaper.

It’s been a while since these girls have played with dolls. But it doesn’ttake long for them to show their enjoyment.

“It’s fun playing with the dolls,” says Jessi Briggs, 14, of St. Rose, “andlearning to take care of the baby.”Briggs and the others soon discover that a real-life baby takes a lot more care than a baby doll.

The potential sitters first learn how to prepare the formula, how to make sure there are no air bubbles in the bottle and how to burp the baby at regular intervals.

During feeding time a raucous burp interrupts the casual chitchat among the girls followed immediately by a burst of laughter. It’s laughter thatrelieves some of the stress of the more serious training in adult and child CPR, a technique most of the girls hope they will never have to use in a real situation, and first aid training on how to treat cuts, burns and broken arms until the victim can be seen by medical professionals.

“We learned that you have to treat the most serious injury first,” says 12-year-old Marissa Leonard of Luling.

The girls are taught, though, that proper care of an infant can prevent many injuries.

“You have to support the baby’s head, neck and back when you pick it up,” says Adams. “You can’t carry a baby who’s less than six months old on yourhip.”She then demonstrates two or three ways to support an infant while holding it in different positions.

When the would-be babysitters have mastered those skills, they move on to bathing and diapering techniques with emphasis on the importance of maintaining personal hygiene while caring for young children.

Adams demonstrates how to use latex gloves while bathing and diapering and how to wash their hands before and after feeding a child.

Before they accept a babysitting job, Adams urges the youngsters to interview the parents of the children they will be caring for.

“Find out the names and ages of the children you will be caring for,” says Adams. “Also, ask if there are any special instructions about care andfeeding and phone numbers where parents may be reached.”When parents return, the young sitters are encouraged to talk with the parents about any problems encountered during the time they were away.

“You need to tell them how the kids behaved,” says 12-year-old Samantha Burleigh of Luling. “If you’re a good babysitter, they’ll hire you again.”Debra Adams offers the babysitting course at least twice a year at a cost of $45 per participant. Besides the training, those enrolled receive a”babysitting briefcase” compliments of the Red Cross. Inside the canvasbriefcase are interview sheets to take notes during parental interviews, a basic first aid workbook, a babysitting guidebook, a mini first aid kit and a flashlight.

Most of the youngsters feel they leave the course well-equipped to take on their first experience as a sitter.

“If you’re really careful, ” says Brittany Holtsclaw, 12, of Destrehan, “babysitting can be a lot of fun.”

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