The Infant years (Birth to 12 Months Old)

Identify specific health and safety considerations that you will have to consider during the infant years. How will you address these issues?

Example:

Hand washing

Proper hand washing is essential to keeping infants healthy as their immune system is low. “Hand washing is the most

important health practice that parents /educators and children must implement to reduce the spread of infections.”

(Pimento, Page 129) This was seen when my baby had many colds and ear infections within the first year. Although it is

common for infants to catch colds and infections, I need to use proper hand washing.

Now add your next point…

Car safety

Car seats are designed specially to protect children from injury or death during collisions. “Motor vehicle accidents are the

most common cause of accidental death in infants and toddlers.” (Chronological approach p-118) when we think about a

baby’s very first journey home from hospital, parents are responsible for ensuring their child’s safety during travel. Using

a child safety car seat, I can give the best protection for my child when travelling by car. Car seats should be suitable for

the child’s age, weight and size. Car seats also have an expiry date. So we should consider all these things when we think

about safety

Sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome is the unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS can be caused by many

different factors. (www.ncbi.nih.gov/pubmedhealth). We have to keep an eye on our babies when they are having their

nap time and sleeping through the night. We can Baby proof their crib. We have to avoid soft bedding materials to cover

the baby, and also be concerned about baby’s moving and breathing.

Breast feeding vs. bottle feeding

“Breast feeding is the easiest and the healthiest way to feed a new born , as the milk is rich in nutrients”

(http://ayurveda.iloveindia.com) I believe breast feeding prevent babies from infections because it increases babies

immunity system, and also breast milk is rich in vitamins and minerals so it is easy to digest. Breast feeding helps infants

recognize their mother; moreover, I believe it creates a strong emotional bond between a mother and her baby. I think it is

better to breast feed rather than bottle feed. I breast fed my baby almost for 18 months.

Immunization

“Immunization is one of the most important ways of promoting the health of children.” (Healthy development text book p-

123) As a parent I am concerned about the health and safety of my children. I would be happy to do anything that I can do

to protect them. I believe vaccines keep children safe from illnesses and death caused by infectious diseases. I don’t forget

to give my children’s vaccines up to date.

Introducing food

Introducing food for babies is very important, but there is no need to hurry and should be very patient. We should start

feeding baby food when they are ready for it (4-6 month). We should give one new food at a time and wait a minimum of

two to three days before starting another one. After each new food we have to watch for any allergic reactions such as

diarrhea, rash or vomiting. If any allergic reactions occur we should stop the new food and must contact our doctor.

(http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com)

The Toddler Years (2 Years Old)

Have there been any environmental events that you think might have influenced your child’s development?

Does this create any health or safety concerns for your toddler?

Nutrition

A Healthy and balanced nutrition helps growth and development for children. Feeding the toddler age of children often

can be challenging. We have to make sure that our toddlers get enough nutrition that they need. As a parent my

responsibility is providing adequate and proper nutrition for my growing child, it is fundamental for normal growth and

development. (www.cnkd.org/healthlibrary)

Toilet training

“Toilet training is teaching your child to recognize his/her body signals for urinating and having a bowel movement and

using a potty chair or toilet correctly and at the appropriate times” (www.cnkd.org/healthlibrary) We should not try to

toilet train before our child ready for that. We have to wait until the child shows signs that he/she is ready for that. Every

child is different, and they reach their developmental milestones at different range and level. So we have to be patient

until our child is ready for that.

Dental health

It is important to have healthy gums and teeth throughout our life time. So that is why we should be concerned about our

child’s dental health. We should start early with good oral hygiene and regular checkups for our children at the age of one.

Poor oral hygiene has connection between many diseases. We should direct our children to brush their teeth at least twice

a day in order to keep oral health. (http://dreamsmiledental.com)

Toddler’s tantrums

Toddlers get frustrated because of the gap between what they want to do and what they are able to do. Mostly they can

understand more than they can express. When they are not able to express or do what they want, they often respond with

tantrums. Therefore as a parent we have to understand the situation and we should distract our children with toys or other

activities. We can help them gradually by guiding them to learn about self control skills, which help for success later in

life. (http://kidshealth.org)

Disciplining toddler

When disciplining our children we have to act very important part. Toddler’s learn by imitating their surroundings. Mostly

they do what they see. Our behavior should be role model material because they learn by watching us. We should do what

we say, and we should say what we do. It is important to not spank, hit or slap a child. Toddlers don’t have the ability to

make connections between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only remain hurt because of the hit.

(http://kidshealth.org)

Bibliography

Ages and stages A Brief Overview Birth to 12 years.

Healthy foundation in early childhood settings – Barbara Pimento and Deborah Kernested – Forth edition,

Publisher and date of publication – 2010, by Nelson Education Ltd.

http://dreamsmiledental.com

http://www.safekids.org

www.cnkd.org/healthlibrary

http://www.healthcommunities.com

www.canadianparent.com