How shall I brief the babysitter?

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My 11 month old dd used to just nod off with door closed for her naps and bedtime. But recently she has been suffering from bedtime separation anxiety where I have to stay in room and comfort her before she nods off.

I don't mind doing this, but I have to go out tomorrow night and will be leaving her just before her bedtime.
What shall I tell the babysitter?

Also, shall I breast feed dd before her bedtime (as I will just have enough time to do this, but will have to rush off immediately after), or shall I let the babysitter give her milk from beaker?

btw - dd doesn't fall asleep on breast, so no chance of breastfeeding her to sleep before sneaking out.
And, dd has never met this babysitter before, though the babysitter will come an hour early to get acquainted.

Tell your babysitter your child's current routine as it were.
As this is the first time with this babysitter, the babysitter should be prepared for anything - they won't know your previously usual routine.

With regard to feeding, I would suggest you BF before you go... if your child is used to having BF at bedtime. It will help to keep some consistency. Babysitter can then give EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) or Formula from a bottle/beaker should it be needed later in the night.

Apologise for the hijack - Nick sent you an email

BTW I agree with nick about the baby/babysitter - good luck

Nannynick - thanks.
As you suggested, I breastfed dd before leaving and left some EBM in fridge. Wrote out current routine with instructions to cuddle to sleep if necessary.

But, babysitter was a bit of a flake. Turned up 30 mins late, lost my address, needed directions last minute. And finally, cut my evening short by texting me to say dd was 'happy' as opposed to 'asleep', so I rushed home instead of having a proper night out!

Having said that, although I didn't get on with babysitter, dd seemed to really like her and despite her separation anxiety, didn't even shed a tear when I left. DD fell asleep an hour and 15 minutes later than usual and babysitter told me she didn;t cry at all

Oh dear, does not sound good. Was it via an agency? If so, make sure they know what happened - a good agency won't want someone on their books who turns up late.

I would suggest trying to find a regular babysitter, who is local to you and who is likely to be available when you need them (with sufficient notice).

Texting you seems a bit odd... I was babysitting for a new child (age 2) last night and although she didn't sleep (due to not being on UK time!) I didn't text her mum to say that she was 'happy' with me - we played for a bit, watched Pooh Bear, and read lots of stories. If you had texted asking for an update that's one thing, but if they just text you and don't give any info - then I am not surprised you dashed back.
Hope the next time you have a babysitter (and I suggest not having that one, due to bad time keeping) that things go much better. If you are in my neck of the woods (Surrey/Berkshire border) feel free to get in touch - I'm always reliable... I'm rarely on time... I'm usually early

Wish I was in your neck of the woods, nannynick.
I'm in London: Tufnell Park/Holloway, so if you can recommend anyone round here ...

Babysitter was actually recommended by a parent in a local parent support group.

Well look on the bright side, at least you weren't paying agency fees

Maybe you were just unfortunate, but it seems a bit odd to me for someone to agree to babysit and for them not to drive by the location before hand, so they knew where they would be going. I meet families prior to babysitting, one reason for doing that is to find the location during daylight hours.

Not sure how a parent support group would respond to feedback... but if another member asked you how it went, then I think you should say it didn't go well. Perhaps they will know of others you can try.