Child Care

Child care relates to upbringing of the child after birth to few early years. A neonate is having very low immunity as immunity system is not fully developed in them. They are very susceptible for infection and so need to be taken care of very intensively. Breast feeding is the first step of child care and should be started as early as possible. Up to five months of age, the baby does not require any additional feeding. After five months, baby should be given some simple homemade food in very small quantity. The additional food should be in liquid or semi-liquid form not solid. If the child cannot be breast fed for any compulsive reasons, in such case special care should be taken to choose and prepare the milk for the child. The child should be fed in proper posture. Burping should also be ensured after every feeding so that the milk or food does not get vomited and block the respiration. If feeding is done by bottle the bottle should be sterilized by keeping it in boiling water. Also the quality of material of which the bottle is made of should be high.

Hygiene is another point in child care which is very important during the neonatal period and early few years of a child as it is a prevention mechanism for many diseases and conditions. Proper hygiene should be maintained while handling a neonatal or kid. Their clothes, toys, body, and bed, etc, should be perfectly clean. Any of the family members or friends coming from outside should not immediately touch the neonate, they should go near the neonate after washing and cleaning of their hands, face and after changing the cloth. This will help to prevent any infection to the neonate.

Next step in child care is a weight, height and vaccination chart which should be maintained for the baby. Baby should be taken for health check up frequently to avoid any complication of the developing infection or disease if any.

Baby should be ensured of proper sleep. This is very important part of child care. Room of baby should be colorful and quiet to ensure the comfort. Proper attention should be given while baby (neonate) is sleeping that any blanket or quilt should not cover the face of the baby for the baby cannot do much movement at this point of time and may get suffocated.

When the baby starts movements like crawling and walking, special care should be taken to avoid any accident such as sharp objects and medicines should not be within the reach of the baby and the electric sockets should be plugged with cotton, etc.

When the baby is having eruption of teeth, immunity is low; and also due to itching of the jaw, the baby use to put things in mouth to bite it and have some comfort. Special care should be taken that no material or toy should be within the reach of the baby who can choke the baby’s respiration. Also, baby’s hand should be cleaned frequently as babies generally put their thumb in the mouth and suck it. A toddler is a very fussy eater so special care of his/her diet should be taken to ensure proper growth and development. They should not be forced to eat instead be given many options to choose from.

Early years of baby’s life are the formative years discipline, values, habits, perception, and education so the baby should always be handled gently and properly. Proper child care is necessary not only to prevent present problems but also to prevent the future problems if any by giving the child inner strength.

Pregnancy Kit