Good handovers reduce uncertainty and help recurring care stay consistent.
What to record
Families may want a simple record of:
Feed time and relevant amount
Burping or settling
Sleep periods
Diaper changes
Bathing
Mood or behaviour observations
Supplies to replace
Questions for the parent or clinician
The format can be agreed with the Care Team and caregiver.
Separate observations from diagnosis
A caregiver can report what she observed. She should not turn an observation into a medical diagnosis.
For example, “the baby took less than usual at two feeds” is a useful observation. Deciding why this happened or whether treatment is needed belongs to the appropriate clinician.
Share changes before each shift
Tell the caregiver and DarDoc about new medical instructions, medication, allergies, symptoms, access requirements, or schedule changes.
Respect privacy
Care notes can contain sensitive information about a baby and family. Keep them secure and share them only with people involved in the care.
DarDoc’s Privacy Policy explains how the company handles personal and health information.
A simple handover structure
Use the same order each time:
What happened before the shift?
What happened during the shift?
What needs attention next?
Has any instruction changed?
Consistency makes important details easier to notice.
Keep the record useful
Record information that helps care continue safely. Avoid turning notes into a running judgment of the baby or caregiver.
If an observation concerns you, contact the relevant clinician or DarDoc rather than relying only on the written log.