Caring for an Infant 7.2

Handling A Baby A baby requires a huge amount of physical care. Holding the Baby Babies need to be held for many reasons. Changing, Feeding, Bathing, Dressing, Cuddling, etc. A newborn’s neck muscles are not strong enough to support their head. Must support their head at all times By 4 months babies can hold up their head without support. Try to move smoothly and gently to avoid startling

Bedtime Routines Sleep is essential for growth and development. Necessary for the brain to work properly. Sleep releases chemicals in the body to contribute to growth. Some infants sleep more than others Generally, a baby who is active needs more sleep than an inactive baby. As harmless as sleeping may seem, there are safety precautions to follow. You need to chose a safe bed Remove pillows, fully blankets, puffy bumper pads, and stuffed toys Can cause suffocation

Bedtime Continued… Babies should be placed face up when put to bed Prevent death from sudden infant death syndrome Consistent Bedtime Routine is one of the best ways to get kids to calm down and go to sleep easily. Find a Routine that works best for you. Sleep Patterns The amount of time a baby spends sleeping decreases greatly during the first year. Newborn may sleep 12-20 hours a day By One Year 2-3 sleep periods including naps

Responding to Cries It is important to respond to a baby’s cries. Doctors say that a prompt response to a very young baby does not spoil the baby. Only time it may be advised to let a baby cry is at bedtime, when they are trying to establish good sleep habits. At other times, the reason for crying may be as simple as a wet diaper or feeling cold or hungry. Pain or Sickness may also cause crying

Shaken Baby Syndrome NO ONE should ever vigorously shake or jiggle a baby. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! Shaken Baby Syndrome: is a condition that occurs when someone severely shakes a baby, usually in an effort to make her stop crying. Can lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy, or blindness. Sometimes breaks bones, or injures neck/spine. Can even cause DEATH. What can you do to help sooth a baby?!

Feeding an Infant Mealtime provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and develop. Opportunity for babies to interact with others, learn more about their world, and practice skills. Nutritional Needs In the first year, a baby’s basic source of nutrition is break milk or formula. For the first 6 months needs can be met solely through breast milk or iron-fortified formula. At about 6 months, solid foods can be introduced. By their first birthday- most nutrition comes from solid foods.

Breast Milk If a mother is capable, nutrition experts recommend breast-feeding. There are many advantages to breast milk: It contains all the nutrients a baby needs It also contains antibodies. An antibody is a substance produced by the body to fight off germs. It is germ-free and east to digest Get fewer ear infections Breast milk lacks vitamin D, a nutrient important for bone growth. Sunlight provides this- skin produces Vitamin D.

Baby Formula Many babies are fed formula for part or all of their infancy. Not every mother is physically able to breast-feed. Or just by personal preference. Baby formula is specially made to meet babies’ nutritional needs. Milk-based formula is used most often. Formula comes in three forms: 1. Ready to use 2. Concentrated Liquid that is mixed with water 3. Powder that is mixed with water

Feeding Schedules A newborn’s schedule of eating and sleeping is unpredictable. Pediatricians recommend that newborns be fed as much and as often as they want to eat. They will generally stop eating when he or she is full. Frequent feeds are necessary because their stomach can only hold a small amount at a time. In the first few weeks; breast-fed babies may want to eat 8-12 times a day Formula –fed babies may eat every 3-4 hours By the 2nd or 3rd month- Babies are eating on a regular schedule. Wake for feeding every 3-4 Hours. Eventually they will not need to wake for a late night feeding Stomach is large enough.

Feeding Methods Most babies under the age of 6 months eat only breast milk or formula. With either method, babies should be allowed to eat until they are satisfied. Healthy babies usually eat the amount they need, so overeating is generally not an issue with young babies.

Breast-Feeding Breast-feeding is very natural It can take practice for the mother to get then hang of it. Many hospitals have consultants on staff to offer assistance if needed. They can help new mothers learn how to find the best way to hold the baby and get the baby to eat.

Bottle-Feeding There are certain guidelines for bottle-feeding. First deals with preparing the formula Usually a powdered or concentrated formula Mix it with a sterile bottled water; or water that has been boiled. Bottles should be washed in a dishwasher or with HOT soapy water followed by a boiling water rinse. Bottles with disposable liners are a popular alternative. Bottles should be warmed to about room temperature. Always test the temperature of formula before giving it to baby.

Burping the Baby Babies often swallow air as they drink whether they are breast-fed or bottle-fed. To feel comfortable, a baby must be burped from time to time. Without burping they may spit up, become irritable, or have gas. While feeding you should: Burp at least twice during a feeding Find a comfortable position Pat gently on the back Protect your clothing It is also common for babies to spit up from time to time.

Introducing Solid Foods Babies are typically given their first solid foods around the age of 4-6 months. It is not unusual for a baby to have a bad reaction to a certain food. Skin rash, digestive trouble, or an allergic reaction You should introduce new foods at least 4 days apart Easier to distinguish which foods are causing the problem.

Weaning Sometime around their first birthday, they are ready for weaning. Weaning: is changing from drinking a bottle or breast to a cup. An important sign of a baby’s increasing independence. Best to approach gradually- signs from the baby to let you know they are ready.

Self-feeding When babies can sit up steadily in a high chair, they can start to eat with their fingers and reach for a spoon. usually 8-10 months Finger Foods Help to encourage self-feeding Important to provide foods that will not get stuck in a babies throat. Foods to Avoid; Raw vegetables, hot dogs, nuts, peanut butter, whole grapes, candy, chips, pretzels, and popcorn. Foods to Encourage: Dry toast, cereal pieces, small pieces of chicken, cooked pasta, chunks of banana Break up easily.

Nutritional Concerns Just like adults, babies who are eating solid foods should eat nutritious, well-balanced meals. They should be able to eat when they are hungry; rather than on a rigid schedule. Babies have very specific nutritional needs: Enough calories to provide for activity and rapid growth Foods that provide key nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals Adequate amounts of liquids

Continued… Malnutrition in infancy can cause lasting physical problems. Malnutrition: is inadequate nutrition. Linked to poor brain development and can lead to learning difficulties

Allergies An allergy is an oversensitivity to a particular common substance that is harmless to most people. When a person has an allergy, the body’s immune system attacks the substance. The reaction may be mild as puffy, itchy eyes or as severe as anaphylactic shock-a life threatening condition which makes it hard to breath. It is important to watch for signs of allergies in babies. Signs of a food allergy: excessive crying, vomiting or 8 or more watery stools a day. Babies SHOULD NOT eat eggs, citrus fruits, honey, peanut butter, corn, shellfish during their first year. All of which are common allergy foods.

Dressing A Baby Babies lose heat more easily than adults, but they are sensitive to overheating. As a general rule, doctors recommend dressing babies in one more layer of clothing than an older child or an adult would wear. Take into account the weather conditions Example- winter vs. summer Crawling

Choosing Clothing Many clothes for infants are made of knit fabrics that are comfortable and stretch making it easy for baby to move around Clothing size is determined by a baby’s weight and age. In general; clothes should not be so snug that the baby has a hard time moving. When choosing clothes Comfort and ease in dressing are important Snaps for changing diapers, etc.

How to Dress a Baby Dressing and undressing a baby quickly takes PRACTICE! Pullover Garments: Stretchable neck- put the opening around the baby’s face first and then back over the head. Open-Front Shirt: Set the shirt out, lay the baby down on the shirt face up One-Piece Garment with Feet Easier when the zipper or snaps from the neck to toes. Lay baby down inside garment and slowly maneuver them in.