Infant And Toddler Care 101

Motherhood is a lifetime career and giving birth to your bundle of joy does not end your responsibility but actually signals the start of your motherhood career.  When the baby grows up, they might leave home, but your responsibility stays with them wherever they go.  Although not quite true for some, this is the exact essence of motherhood.  Being a mother requires constant love and patience and at other times, firm admonition. 

Reproches are as important as showing your child love and tenderness.  A mother and child’s relationship is sacred and you, as a mother, should feel humbled, being seen fit by God Himself to have entrusted you with the rearing of a child.  This is the same reason why you should try as much to be the best mother that you can be.  And doing research and constant learning are keys to your success. 

God has designed the mother’s physical condition after giving birth to be capable of giving natural sustenance to her baby.  Breastmilk is the purest, most natural, and one with the most complete nutritional value you can give to your baby.  Even if advertisements tell you that their infant formula is the best, no other milk can surpass or even equal the essential vitamins and minerals that can be found in breastmilk.  Experts would tell you that after years of research, they have found that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from colic. 

Breastfed babies also develop a mutual emotional bond with their mothers.  Babies that were breastfed grow up to be more intelligent than those who were not breastfed, and they are also less sickly.  This is because the immunity of the mother against certain sickness is passed on to her breastmilk which is then eventually passed on to her baby.  It has also been proven that breastfed babies sleep better and less likely to fuss in the middle of the night.

Always keep your baby safe.  Keep your baby’s things free from tiny parts which they could choke on.  For example, when choosing from an array of baby carriers from a baby depot, it is a must that you first examine the materials used.  Examine the stitching, are there any lose threads which your baby’s little fingers might get caught into?  Foreseeing danger is the best means to avoid it.  It is okay to be a safety worrier if you are a mother.

Essential Guide For Parents To Keep Newborns And Young Children Free From Harm

One of the challenges every new parent faces is how to keep the baby safe. The risk of babies injuring themselves rises as they learn new gross motor skills like crawling. Childproofing your house is a never-ending routine which begins prenatally.  

Cots are probably the first items you’re going to buy from the baby depot. Given that your baby will be spending a lot of his time in one, it is imperative that you pick out one that’s follows current safety standards. The crib must comply with recommended measurements and construction. For instance, you shouldn’t buy cribs which have gaps along the sides should be around 2-4 inches in width so that the baby’s arms, legs, and head won’t get caught in them. Manufacturers are required to furnish baby depots with a certificate proving that their products have passed current safety standards. It is essential that you request the seller for these certifications prior to purchasing.  

Old cribs sold at flea markets and hand-me-down cribs may be very enticing considering they are either for free or are sold at dirt cheap prices. When you do prefer these cribs just make sure that they are durable enough and that they aren’t covered with lead paint. The harmful effects of lead are well-documented, and children who have ingested lead-containing paint chips have developed permanent learning, behavioral, and motor disorders and at times even died prematurely. Older cribs often aren’t made according to existing product safety specifications and in some countries, like the United States, it is against the law to put them for auction or sale. 

Another hazard that parents should watch out for is accidental ingestion. You should be conscientious when buying toys for your child. For starters, you need to check if the product is suitable for your child’s age. Avoid buying toys which are too small or have detachable parts. Furthermore, never provide your babies with magnet-containing products. If the baby accidentally ingests more than one magnet, it can be fatal as these will be attracted to each other and cause his intestines to twist. In addition, put away medicines and cleaning solutions behind lock and key. 

It is likewise smart to invest in baby monitors. You can find a lot of these in your baby depot as well as online. Baby monitors can either be simple radio receivers or have cameras built into them. Nowadays, you can also get monitors that come loaded with extra capabilities like music players, and snapshot recording.