Thirteen students added to list of certified baby sitters

Beginning in 2010, as part of the goal to provide health education for our community, the Odessa Healthcare Foundation has sponsored a Babysitting Basics class for youth, ages 10–18, interested in improving their skills as babysitters.

On July 11, 13 more students became certificated babysitters, bringing the total to 60 trained babysitters in our community. Katie Maisch, health educator from Inland Northwest Health Services Community Wellness, taught this year's class.

The students learned how to diaper, swaddle, and feed a baby; they pledged to never ever shake a baby; they learned appropriate food and activities for toddlers and younger children. They discussed how to keep themselves and the children they are babysitting safe; they learned first aid for cuts and burns and what to do in case of an emergency; practiced what to do if a baby is choking; discussed appropriate discipline; practiced infant and child CPR; and created a bag to take with them when they go to babysit.