A Guide to Fostering Babies - Newborns, Infants and Toddlers

Recent estimates from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) report show that 7% of the children in foster care are less than one year old.

Many aspiring foster parents want to care for newborns, infants, or toddlers. And while the AFCARS data shows that the median age of the youth entering care is six years old, young children often come with their siblings.

So yes, it is possible to start fostering a baby. However, there's a lot you should consider first. Read on as we discuss it in a guide to fostering babies - newborns, infants, and toddlers.

Newborn Foster Care

Many people love the idea of fostering a baby. However, you should know what to expect, including any obstacles, if this is a path you're interested in taking.

How Likely Is It?

As you might expect, you'll face much competition if you're only interested in fostering newborns. Most people get involved in foster care with the hopes that they'll care for younger children.

The result is that you'll often have to wait much longer for a placement.

Babies are usually considered newborns from birth to around two months of age. These children enter the foster care system when their living conditions are deemed unsafe, or their parents cannot care for them.

It's possible to foster newborns and infants. However, you can increase your chances if you're also willing to accept sibling groups, as many of these children enter foster care together.

What to Consider

Although newborn babies sleep most of the time, their sleep periods are very short. Newborns sleep around eight or nine hours during the day and about eight hours at night. They'll wake up every few hours to eat, meaning you won't be able to get a whole night's sleep for a while.

Most babies will not sleep through the night until they're around three months old. This can be a difficult adjustment, especially for single parents.

It helps if you have a partner assisting you with a newborn, as you can trade off when to wake up and care for the baby. It would be best if you also had experience caring for newborns, knowing how to calm them, when to feed them, and so on.

Tips for Fostering a Newborn

Newborn foster care requires many supplies that you may not have on hand.

You won't know the baby's age until you receive the call, so you might want a crib that converts into a toddler bed. That way, you're prepared.

Having a waterproof mattress or a protector and a few sheets is also a good idea. You can line the crib or bed with two sets of bedding so that if the newborn has an accident, you can quickly remove the soiled sheet and protector pad and have clean bedding underneath.

Infant Foster Care

Infants require a lot of work and attention. You must be sure that you're ready to take on these responsibilities. For clarity, we're referring to infants as babies up to one year old.

Here are some factors to consider and tips to improve infant foster care.

How Likely Is It?

Again, many foster parents wish to care for babies, so there's competition. You can increase your chances of getting a placement by agreeing to foster sibling groups or having extensive experience fostering this age range.

Foster moms and dads often have experience with parenting after raising their birth children. This gives you an edge over individuals with little to no experience. As we said, newborns and infants require special care and attention.

If you're interested in infant foster care, speak with your child-placing agency. They can tell you more about your chances and what to expect. We can help connect you with an agency in your state.

What to Consider

Before you foster, you should consider your experience and readiness, especially if you want to care for babies or toddlers. If you have biological children, you know what to expect at this age range, which can help tremendously.

You'll have to spend time bonding with the baby and cradling them. Holding an infant against your chest helps to soothe them and regulate their heartbeat.

You should have plenty of supplies on hand, such as the following:

• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Diaper cream
• Crib with a waterproof mattress
• Extra sheets
• Bottles
• Infant formula

If you already have this on hand, that's excellent. If you don't, you'll have to find it.

Tips for Fostering an Infant

Fostering infants might be slightly different from caring for biological children. You should be adaptable, as you'll likely have to make changes and get used to new situations.

Sadly, many newborns and infants can experience withdrawal symptoms if the mother takes substances while pregnant.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a real problem, often caused by women taking drugs like opioids during pregnancy. Signs of NAS include:

• Tremors, seizures, or twitching
• Excessive crying or fussiness
• Slow weight gain
• Poor feeding
• Difficulty sleeping
• Breathing problems
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• And more

Of course, your foster agency will discuss this with you before placement. They'll go over proper care tips and obstacles that you may face.

Toddler Foster Care

Many toddlers in the foster care system require loving parents and stable homes. Of course, this is the age range where children begin to learn essential life skills, so you must understand how to teach them.

Toddlers experience many developmental milestones, like crawling, walking, and speaking. It's your job to help prepare them.

Here are some tips and considerations to help when fostering a toddler.

How Likely Is It?

Toddlers range in age from one to three years old. Many kids in foster care fall into this group, so there's a good chance you can foster toddlers.

Again, having parenting experience will significantly help your chances. The more experience you have, the more likely you will get a call from the placement office.

The broader your age range preferences, the easier to find a child or sibling group to place in your home.

What to Consider

Toddlers are much more mobile than babies, so you must child-proof the home. This includes installing baby gates, securing furniture, using safety latches, covering electrical outputs, etc.

It's a lot of work, but ensuring you're providing a safe environment is crucial.

You may need to research state laws about daycare as well. Generally, foster children can attend daycare. However, it must be approved by the state's Department of Children and Families.

Another option to consider is respite foster care when a licensed foster family helps care for your child to give you a break.

You should also consider the financial aspect, as you'll need to create a budget for clothes, toys, and supplies. You'll receive a foster care reimbursement rate from your agency, but it's likely insufficient to cover all costs.

While these maintenance payments help, you'll have to pay for certain items yourself, especially if they aren't strictly necessary. For instance, the payment and clothing allowance doesn't cover toys.

Finally, you may not have these children for long. Depending on the birth parent's situation, Foster kids may only stay in a home for a few weeks. Getting attached to young children is easy, and it can be hard to say goodbye.

Tips for Fostering a Toddler

It's easier to parent a toddler if you've done it before. You may even have toys and supplies on hand already. If not, consider asking friends and family if they have any toddler clothing, toys, etc., that they would donate.

Prepare yourself for a busy time and remain flexible. Foster parents must be highly adaptable, especially when caring for young children. You never know when you'll get a call from the placement office and may have little time to prepare.

Understand that you must put the child's needs first. After all, you'll have to guide them through many crucial developmental milestones.

Adopting a Newborn, Infant, or Toddler From Foster Care

Adopting a newborn, infant, or toddler from foster care is also possible, though it's rare for a baby to become eligible for adoption.

Most newborns and toddlers are reunited with their birth parents or family, as that's usually in the child's best interest. A birth parent may get a year or longer to work on their reunification plan. In most cases, these parents successfully meet the goals outlined for them.

That said, there is a slight chance you may be able to adopt a baby through foster care. You can always tell your agency that you're interested.

A Guide to Fostering Babies - Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers

Many babies and toddlers who enter the foster care system need a home. You can be the parent that gives them the love and attention they deserve.

We've compiled a guide to fostering babies - newborns, infants, and toddlers just for individuals like you who want to make a difference.

Let us connect you with a local foster agency so you can learn more and get started on the licensure process.