(P4) So now you know the stages your baby is at lets look at how you can help your baby to reach these milestones;
Physical;
Theirs a lot of different things you can do to help your baby, how about you make bath time fun, as well as physical put some bath toys into the bath your baby will have great fun kicking his/her feet making the toys move!
Social;
Well social is a every day thing, but sometimes you are rushing and forget to talk to your baby, when you are changing your baby’s nappy, bathing your bath or feeding them always talk to them, as this will help them develop their vocabulary.
Emotional;
A great game for emotional is the great game ‘peak a boo’ your baby will love this game! Say it in a soft voice so your baby doesn’t get scared!
(P7) If your baby isn't able to kick about in a bath another game to stimulate their physical development is lay them on a activity mat, with toys above them for them to explore with their hands!
(P5) Your baby has a lot of physical care needs
Sleep
All babies’ sleep, some baby’s need more sleep than other baby’s, look for signs that your baby is tired, rubbing their eyes or crying! If they want to sleep lf they want to sleep let them sleep. ALWAYS put your baby’s feet at the bottom of the cot, this will avoid babies moving down their cot and suffocating themselves.
(P7) All babies’ need different amount of sleep, some will sleep for a large amount so will sleep for a little amount. So don’t worry!
Food & water;
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/children/baby/article/healthwise/ug1080 says
“The first step in the weaning process, giving your baby solid foods, can generally be started at 4 to 6 months of age. Feed your baby at the table
with the rest of the family. Follow your health professional's advice on when and what to feed your baby. At 6 months of age, iron-enriched solid foods should be introduced. 1 Usually, the more solid foods a baby eats, the less breast milk or formula he or she needs, and the easier it will be to wean” You can also give your baby boiled water. (P7) Your baby may need more food than others, your baby may need less food it all depends on your baby's weight and size!
Hygiene;
Wash your baby first thing in the morning, and last thing at night, you could top and tail your baby! If your baby gets messy or sticky throughout
the day also wash the baby then. Always change nappies every four hours, or when you know the baby has a dirty nappy! Make sure you avoid nappy rash! Wash your hands before and after doing your baby’s nappy! Always talk to your baby whilst doing his/hers nappies or bathing this should be an enjoyable time for both you and your baby!
(P6) Health
Your baby’s health is the most important thing there are a few things to help prevent anything happening to your baby;
- Wash your hands before changing his/her nappy
- Wash highchairs after use
- Wipe changing mats after your use it and sterilize it
- Toys should be sterilized on a regular basis
- Any toys that are broke throw away!
- Put your baby on their back
- Minett.P says, “ Vaccines are available for certain diseases. A special vaccine is required for each disease one or more doses of vaccine make the body produce the right types of
Antibodies to destroy the germs which cause the particular disease.”
(P6) safety;
Babies do not understand danger, so therefore they need complete protection; there are many ways you can help to prevent anything from happening to your baby;
- Stair gates
- Radiators/fire places should have a fire guard round them
- Check brakes on pushchairs work
- Close all doors
- Install operable window guards
- Never carry your baby and any hot liquids
- Do not leave any small objects in reach of your baby
- Check the age requirement on toys before you buy them!
- Check equipment for wear & tear
- If your going to buy second hand equipment always check all pieces are there, if there is not a hand book their ring up the company and order 1!
- Do not leave your baby alone
- Store any poison liquids/medicine away out of Childs reach!
(P7) if your child has a disability check that toys are suitable for them, as they still may be dangerous
to them. Check all toys for any child for the age, which there are suitable for.
(M1) If your thinking about putting your child into a day nursery, or getting a nanny or your even going out for a night and leaving your baby with family/friend, always make sure they listen to what you have to say, after all its YOU who knows your baby best. Here are some important things to mention;
- Tell the carer if you bottle or breast feed your baby, so they know what milk to give your baby, what times your baby will need feeding and what amount they usually drink. Also if your starting to wean your baby they will need to know about this
- All babies need different amount of sleep, only you know how much sleep your baby needs
If they are on any kind of medicines they will need to know the times and the amounts, to prevent any dangers occurring.
- Only you know your baby’s true personality and telling the carer a bit about your baby personality will help them look after your child better, as they will know what your baby likes best, E.G. if its crying a certain blanket will help comfort your baby
- If your baby has a certain skin condition so the carer can help prevent any discomfort for your child, and can help your child.
- (P7) if your baby has a disability tell the carer as much information as possible so they can look after your child, also sometimes you may need extra support talking to the carer may help you feel better!
- If you are worried about leaving your child talk to the carer, so they can reassure you everything is ok, giving as much information to the carer will help them look after your child, if your carer don’t know something they may become concerned about something E.G. skin condition
(D1) I have mentioned several times to stimulate your baby, this is important for many reasons. When you stimulate your baby your helping his/her development (social, physical and emotional). Also if your baby never got stimulated it would be quite and
withdrawn from others. If you never spoke to your baby, and it never heard anybody else talk to him/her, it wouldn’t learn to talk, as it wouldn’t hear it. Also its helps prevent them getting bored, a toy, a conversation or a play on the play mat will help them not get bored. In your babies first year of life they grow very quickly, so it’s a great time to play with toys, as they will learn various stuff. Even though stimulating your baby is important, be careful not to OVER stimulate your baby, Signs of doing this could be them;
- Closing eyes
- Turning away
- Tensing up
- Arching back
- Avoiding your gaze
- Irritable
- Body language