Can You Choose to Foster Just Babies?
When people begin exploring what it takes to become a foster parent, one of the first questions they often ask is whether they can choose the age group they want to care for—especially infants. Baby-only fostering is a common interest, and in many parts of California, the need for infant foster homes is significant. But how does it actually work? Can you truly specify that you only want to foster babies?
The short answer is yes—you can express a preference for infants when you join foster parenting programs. However, understanding what that means in practice, how placements are determined, and what California foster care requirements involve can help you prepare for the journey ahead.
This blog breaks down everything you need to know about fostering infants in California, how to become a foster parent near you, and what the process looks like for families working with a Redding foster family agency or Chico foster family agency.
Choosing to Foster Infants: Is It Allowed?
Foster parents are encouraged to share their preferences regarding age, gender, sibling groups, and care needs. When you begin the approval process, you’ll discuss the ages you feel best equipped to care for—including infants.
Many families choose infants because:
They feel confident caring for newborns or babies
They want to support early childhood development
They hope to provide stability from the earliest stages of life
They feel their home environment is best suited for a very young child
Foster care agencies do their best to honor these preferences. However, it’s important to remember that placement also depends on availability and the needs of local counties. Infant placement requests may take time because the number of newborns entering care varies.
What Infant Fostering Typically Involves
Caring for infants in foster care can be incredibly rewarding, but it also requires commitment. Babies often enter care due to neglect, medical needs, exposure to substances, or lack of parental support. As a result, infant fostering may include:
Frequent medical appointments
Working with social workers, resource family workers, and pediatric specialists
Supporting visitation schedules with biological parents
Providing emotional regulation and bonding opportunities
Maintaining detailed care documentation
This level of support is why infant foster parents must meet specific requirements to become foster parents in California and participate in foster care training designed to prepare them for the unique needs of young children.
California Foster Care Requirements
Whether you want to foster babies, toddlers, teens, or sibling groups, California’s expectations for foster families are the same. These requirements help ensure that every child enters a safe and supportive environment.
Common California foster care requirements include:
Being at least 21 years old
Passing a background check
Completing foster parent training
Maintaining a safe and stable home environment
Completing a home study assessment
Demonstrating reliable income
Being physically and emotionally capable of caregiving
Your marital status, homeownership status, or income level does not automatically prevent you from fostering. California focuses on whether you can provide safety, stability, and compassion to a child.
If you’re exploring the process in Shasta or Butte County, you can learn more in the linked guide:
Qualifications To Be A Foster Parent In Redding & Chico Explained.
Qualifications to Be a Foster Parent in California
Families often ask what makes them “qualified” to foster. Beyond the basic state standards, the qualities that matter most include:
Patience
Flexibility
Understanding of trauma
Willingness to work with a child’s case plan
Ability to collaborate with social workers and biological families
Agencies also look for families who can create a nurturing, structured, and loving environment—something especially important for infants who need consistency and secure attachment.
Steps to Become a Foster Parent in California
Becoming a foster parent is a structured but supportive process. Foster parenting programs guide you through each step so you never feel alone in the journey.
Typical steps include:
Initial Inquiry
Contact a Redding or Chico foster family agency to ask questions and attend an orientation.Application
Submit a formal application and complete background checks.Foster Care Training
Participate in pre-approval courses that cover infant care, trauma-informed support, CPR/First Aid, and foster care regulations.Home Study
Meet with a social worker who assesses your home environment, lifestyle, and readiness to foster.Approval & Certification
Once approved, you become eligible for placement.Placement Matching
Share your age-group preference—including infants—and wait for a placement that fits your home.
You can review a local guide specifically created for North State families here:
Steps To Become A Foster Parent In Redding & Chico, California.
Working With a Redding or Chico Foster Family Agency
If you are located in far Northern California, connecting with a local agency can make the process more personal and supportive. Whether you’re seeking help understanding how to become a foster parent near me or you’re already familiar with the approval process, local experts can walk you through every step with clarity.
A Redding foster family agency or Chico foster family agency can help you navigate:
Infant placement expectations
State and county requirements
Training schedules
Support services available to foster families
Ongoing education for infant care and trauma-informed parenting
Working with a team that understands your community can be especially helpful when navigating visitation schedules, county communication, and infant medical appointments.
Yes, you can choose to foster just babies—but the decision comes with responsibility, patience, and a willingness to learn. With the right support system, becoming an infant foster parent can be one of the most meaningful ways to provide care, stability, and love to a child at the very beginning of their life.
If you’re ready to become a foster parent or want to explore infant fostering further, Youth & Family Programs is here to help.
Call the Chico office at 530-893-1614 or the Redding office at 530-365-9197.