The first time you meet the baby you are adopting is an exciting, emotional moment. It helps to come prepared with a list of questions you want to ask the baby's foster family. Here are some questions you may want to include on your list.
Baby's Schedule
- What is the baby's schedule during the day? Wakeup time? Snack times? Meal times? Bathtime? Bedtime?
- When does the baby nap? How long are the naps?
- How do you get the baby down for a nap? (Bottle, rocking, singing?)
- Where does the baby nap? (Crib, in bed with you?)
- How do you get the baby to sleep? (Bottle, rocking, singing?)
- Where does the baby sleep? (Crib, in bed with you or another family member?)
- How does the baby like to sleep? (Side, back, tummy? With or without a blanket?)
- Does the baby have a favorite toy or blanket for napping and sleeping?
About Baby Bottles
- How often does the baby take a bottle?
- How much does s/he drink?
- What brand of formula does the baby drink?
- How do you prepare it?
- Do you use tap water or bottled water to prepare the bottle?
- Does the baby like the bottle warm, room temperature, or cold?
- Do you do anything special to prepare a bottle the way the baby likes it, like add sugar?
- Do you add rice cereal to any bottles during the day?
- Does the baby like to be held when drinking a bottle, or hold his/her own bottle?
- Does the child need to be burped? If so, what's the best way to burp him/her?
Foods -- For Babies Eating Solids
- What sorts of snacks does the baby like best?
- What sorts of foods does the baby like best -- breakfast, lunch, dinner?
- Does the baby have a favorite type of fruit?
- Does the baby have a favorite type of juice?
Personality
- What makes him/her laugh?
- What does he/she like to do the most?
- What does he/she dislike?
Comforting the Child
- Does the baby use a pacifier?
- Does the baby suck his/her thumb?
- What does the baby do to comfort himself/herself?
- What do you do to calm the child down when he/she is crying?
Books, Songs, Videos, TV Shows, Characters?
- Are there any books, songs, videos, tv programs or popular characters (i.e., Barney, Winnie the Pooh, Dora, etc.) that the baby likes?
The Child's History
- Do you know if the baby was full term?
- At what age was the child when he/she came to live with you?
- Have you met the child's birth mother?
- What was the child's birth mother like?
- What do you know about her? Did she share any of her story?
- How has the child's health been?
- Does the child have any ongoing medical problems?
- Are there any allergies to foods, animals, etc.?
- Does the child get fevers?
- When he/she has a fever, does it get particularly high?
- How can you tell that the child isn't feeling well? How does he/she act when sick?
- What symptoms does the child have when teething?
Milestones
When did the following major events take place?
- Rolled over?
- Sat up?
- Crawled?
- Started babbling?
- Said a word? What was the word?
- Got his/her first tooth?
- Had solid food?
- Drank from a sippy cup?
Fears
- Is he/she afraid of animals like cats, dogs, horses, etc.?
- Is there anything he/she is afraid of? (I.e., loud noises, water, etc.)
About the Foster Mother & Foster Family
- What would you like us to call you?
- Do you have children?
- How old are they and what are their names?
- How many other children have you fostered? How long has it been since you started as a foster mother?
- Do you have any other foster children currently? Hold old is that child?
- Who does the baby spend time with during the day besides you?
- Where do you live?
- Do you have any pets?
- Are there other children his/her age in the neighborhood?
- How does he/she get along with other children?
- How have you celebrated holidays/birthdays with the child?
Continuing Relationship
- Do you want to stay in contact with us while you are still fostering?
- What is the best way for us to stay in touch? Phone, letters, photos, email?
- Is there anyone in your family who speaks, reads or writes in English?
- Do you want to stay in any kind of contact with us after we bring home the child?
- What is the best way for us to stay in touch?
- Do you have access to email?
- What is your address, phone number, email address?
DO YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS TO ADD TO THIS LIST? If you have any feedback or additional questions that you want to see added, please email me now.
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