Editors: Samuel M. Wishik, M.D..
BABY SITTING is a phenomenon of current American life that has resulted from the urbanization of our population and the increased cost and decreased availability of domestic help.
Baby sitting has many advantageous features. Not only does it free the mother to share with her husband social activities outside the home; it also gives adolescent girls valuable experience with babies and young children that they might otherwise not obtain in the usual small family.
Are there, however, hazards both for the baby and the baby sitter? There follow two letters on this question. Pediatricians who are in a unique position to learn about current baby sitting practices have a responsibility to help determine what are good practices and to teach them to parents.