Promoting Optimum Health during Infancy

Nutrition Weaning Dental care Sleep and activity Immunization Injury prevention

1. Nutrition The first 6 months All babies should be on breast feeding during this period of time. "advantage of breast milk". At 4-6 months of age iron supplement may be needed. Vitamin (D) may be given. Never give solid food before 5-6 months because the baby development is not ready yet.

The second 6 months At age 6 month this is transition period, GIT more mature. Solid food can be given with breast milk, tooth eruption begins which facilitate biting and chewing. Swallowing is more coordinated. Give cereal food first because it contains high iron content.

Fruit juice can be added to solid cereal because vitamin C enhances iron absorption. By 1 year, well cooked table food can be served. Introduce different type of food but on 4-7 days interval. Don't mix food with formula in bottle. Don't prop up a baby bottle (سندها لأعلى), propping increases chances, of aspiration and otitis media.

2. Weaning The process of giving up one method of feeding for another. Mainly giving up from breast milk or bottle for a cup. There is no one time for weaning that is best for every child. Most infants show readiness during the second part of the first year when they learn that good thing come from a spoon and easily hold a cup to their lips. Weaning should be gradually by replacing one bottle or breast feeding at a time.

3. Dental care Good dental hygiene begins as soon as the first primary tooth is erupted. Teeth and gum are cleaned by wiping them with a damp cloth قماش مبلل. As more teeth are erupted, small soft bristled شعيرات toothbrush can be used with the use of water.

Fluoride, an essential mineral for bones and teeth. عصير العنب، البطاطا، وأغذية الأطفال المدعومة، والمرق ، واليخنة ، والحبوب. Foods with concentrated sugar should be restricted. Discourage use of pacifiers coated with honey اللَّهَّاية المَصَّاصَة, hard-candy pacifiers, or sweet milk that causes dental caries.

4. Sleep and activity Sleep patterns vary among infants but generally four-month infant develops nocturnal pattern of sleep lasting from 8-10 hours with daily naps, total daily sleep is 13-15 hours. The sleep position recommended by the American academy of pediatrics for healthy infants is on the back or side.

The three requisites for promoting sleep -quiet, dark and warm- need to be promoted from the beginning. Crying is the only form of communication newborns have. Crying does not always mean your baby is hungry. If the baby cries excessively, the cause is probably colic.

Sleep routines are habit routines, the longer an undesirable sleep routine has existed, the more difficult it will be to induce change, but it can be done. Do not let the baby to sleep for more than three consecutive hours during the day to eliminate night crying.

5) Immunization Immunization is crucial element for the prevention of the dangerous communicable diseases during infancy. Assure maternal adherence on the immunization schedule for her infant.

6) Injury prevention Injury are major cause of death during infancy especially for 6-12 months of age. So constant awareness and supervision are essential as child gains increased locomotors and manipulative skills that are coupled with curiosity about the environment.

Common potential injuries and prevention measures during infancy

Falls. Aspiration /suffocation /drowning. Poisoning. Burns. Motor vehicle. Bodily damage.

Falls Infant may propel forward or backward from involuntary reflexes such as the crawling reflex, and startle reflex البيبي ينقز (Any startling event…loud noise or sudden touch.. causes the arms to go straight out and hands wide open). Always raise crib rails. Never leave infant on a raised, unguarded surface.

When in doubt as to where to place child, use the floor. Restrain child in infant seat and never leave child unattended while the seat is resting on a raised surface. Avoid using a high chair until child can sit well.

Aspiration / Suffocation / Drowning Not as great danger to this age group, but should begin practicing safeguarding early. Never shake baby powder directly on infant; place powder in hand and then on infant's skin; store container closed and out of infants reach. Hold infant for feeding; do not prop bottle. Do not cover mattress with plastic ?!.

Use a firm mattress and loose blankets; no pillows. Know emergency procedures for choking. Avoid sleeping in bed with infant. Do not tie pacifier اللهاية on a string سلسلة around infant's neck, remove bibs مرابط at bedtime. Never leave infant alone in bath.

Poisoning Not as great danger to this age group, but should be in practicing safeguards early. Keep all medications stored out of infant reach. Store chemicals, detergents and any harmful fluids out of infant reach.

Burns Install smoke detectors in home. Use caution when warming formula in microwave oven. Always check temperature of liquid before feeding / check bathwater. Do not pour hot liquids, when infant is close by, such as sitting.

Beware of cigarette ashes that may fall on infant. Do not leave infant in the sun for more than a few minutes; and keep exposed areas covered. Check surfaced heat of car restraint before placing child in seat.

Motor vehicles Do not place infant alone on the seat or in the lap الحضن. They need pediatric seat with seat belt. Do not leave infants unattended in a car. Do not place stroller عربة أطفال behind parked car.

Bodily damage Avoid sharp or jagged objects مسنن. Keep pins دبابيس closed and away from infant. END