Baby Care Basics
During an infant and toddler's first years, major
developmental milestones are reached. In
fact, at times it seems that babies grow and
accomplish at rates incomparable to other
times of life. During the first years of life
a newborn will learn how to crawl, walk, talk,
solve problems, express themselves and create
loving relationships. Baby care during this
developmental stage becomes increasingly
important, to ensure that babies are provided
with the optimal tools necessary to grow and
flourish.
Perhaps the
most essential and overlooked baby care
necessity in early life is companionship.
Infant's minds and subsequent emotions and
attachments form at a very early age. If
children are neglected early on, they will
develop self defense mechanisms to protect
them from hurt and abandonment later in life.
Baby care during the early years must
incorporate an adequate amount of touching,
hugging, caressing and loving.
A parent truly can't spoil an infant. Infant care needs
are perhaps the greatest of all other ages.
Only during early infancy is a baby truly
helpless; they rely on their caretakers to
feed them, change them, love and protect
them.
As children grow and
develop, they begin to form opinions and
preferences of the world. They start to
understand relationships, and how their
behavior affects the behavior of others. The
more attention, love and affection infants and
young children are offered early on, the more
likely they are to form healthy and beneficial
attachments and relationships with others
later in life.
Naturally, baby care also
requires that a baby's or toddler's basic needs
are cared for. This includes the need for
proper hygiene, entertainment, stimulation and
socialization. Children who are raised at
home exclusively should be afforded the
opportunity to meet with other children to
learn how to socialize and interact with
others. Developing this skill early on will
only help your baby to develop the tools
necessary to interact with others once the
school years begin.
Young children are
impressionable and easily influenced. They
learn from observation and often will take up
the bad habits exemplified by others. Thus it
is important that babies are exposed to caring
caretakers early on, and proper role models.
Aside from the emotional
perspective, babies will, of course, need
someone to help change their diaper, feed
them, bathe them and cuddle with. These basic
necessities are often the first considered
when the concept of baby care comes to mind.
Baby care items include shampoo, soaps,
diapers, wipes, and lotions all formulated
with sensitive skin care needs in mind. Burp
cloths, bibs, endless onesies, digital
thermometers and rattles also often come to
mind as traditional baby care items. There
are even special nail clippers designed with
baby's sensitive and soft tiny nails in mind.
Among the top items that parents put on their
list of must-haves regarding baby care
include the following:
Of all of these items,
the car seat is perhaps the most essential.
You won't be able to leave the hospital
without one. No matter how short the drive, a
baby can't be toted along without being
strapped in an age appropriate car seat. Most
babies and young children should remain in
some type of car or booster seat until they
are large enough to fit in a regular seat and
use an adult seat belt. For most children
this is easily accomplished when they are 80
pounds or more.
Caring for a baby
requires much consideration and a few key
items. Be sure to consult with other parents
to gain their take on what items they found
most beneficial during baby's early years.
******* DISCLAIMER: The information on this Web site is for
reference only and is not intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. Although the
site's creators and contributors aim to provide the most
accurate information, it is your responsibility to verify the
validity of any information contained herein. Please check
with your infant's pediatrician if you suspect a health
problem or medical condition.
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