Infant Care
Specialized, responsive care for the youngest children. Understanding that infants develop rapidly and benefit from consistent caregiving, our infant program is designed to meet the unique physical, emotional, and developmental needs of children from birth through approximately 12 months.
Why specialized infant care matters
This page outlines our approach to infant care, health and safety practices, feeding and sleep protocols, caregiver qualifications, family communication, developmental tracking, and enrollment considerations to help families choose quality infant care in Mount Horeb, WI.
Infancy is a critical period for brain development and attachment formation. The quality of caregiving infants receive shapes their emerging sense of security, language development, and regulation of stress responses. Responsive, consistent care—where caregivers notice and respond sensitively to cues—supports healthy neurodevelopment, emotional regulation, and early social skills. In a licensed home-based setting, infants receive predictable routines, individualized attention, and a calm environment conducive to secure attachments.
Our caregiving philosophy for infants
Responsiveness
Responsiveness
Caregivers promptly attend to feeding, comfort, and sleep cues to build trust.
Individualization
Individualization
Each infant’s schedule is respected—feeding, diapering, and nap routines align with family preferences and infant needs.
Safety
Safety
Practices prioritize safe sleep, secure environments, and prevention of illness and injury.
Enrichment
Enrichment
Developmentally appropriate sensory experiences, early communication, and gentle play support growth.
Family partnership
Family partnership
Parents are central partners—sharing routines, preferences, and milestones.
Feeding and nutrition
We support feeding practices that respect family choices and infant needs:
- Breastfeeding-friendly: We accommodate expressed breast milk with secure labeling and storage procedures.
- Bottle feeding: Staff follow safe preparation, warming, and feeding techniques with proper hygiene and documentation.
- Solid foods: Introduction of solids follows family guidance and pediatric recommendations; we document new foods and monitor for reactions.
- Feeding logs: Detailed records of feeding times, amounts, and infant cues are shared daily with families.
Safe sleep practices
Safe sleep is a top priority for infant health. We adhere to evidence-based safe sleep protocols:
- Infants sleep on their backs on firm surfaces free of loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys.
- Individual sleep plans document family preferences and pediatric recommendations.
- Staff monitor infants visually and document sleep intervals and behaviors.
- Safe sleep training for staff ensures consistent adherence to guidelines.
Health, hygiene, and illness prevention
We follow strict hygiene and health practices:
- Handwashing protocols for caregivers and visitors.
- Regular sanitization of feeding utensils and toys.
- Clear illness policies aligned with licensing recommendations and pediatric guidance.
- Immunization record-keeping and documentation for each child.
Contact and next steps
To enroll in our Infant Care program or to schedule a visit, call (608) 712-0488. We'll discuss current availability, your infant's specific needs, and the next steps to begin care.