Child care

The child must be provided with good nutrition. Poor feeding of infancy can retard growth. A baby can be fed by the use of either the breast or bottle. The breast milk is the best.

1. The Natural Breast Feeding: Breast feeding is the natural way to feed a baby
2. Artificial Bottle Feeding: This involves giving a baby artificial milk, often through the use of feeding bottle.

1. ADVANTAGES OF BREAST FEEDING

1. Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed by the baby
2. It contains anti-bodies which protect the child against diseases and infections
3. It is sterile and free from disease germ
4. It is produced in the right temperature
5. It does not require any elaborate preparation
6. It is easily digested and absorbed by the body
7. Breast-fed babies are not easily constipated
8. Breast feeding brings mother and child very close.It makes the baby happy
9. It is cheaper than artificial feeding

Colostrum: Is the first milk produced in the first few days by a nursing mother. It is yellowish in color. It helps to clear the baby’s first sticky stool called Meconium

REASONS FOR ARTIFICIAL FEEDING

1. When the mother is working full-time outside the home
2. When there are multiple births e.g. twins
3. When the mother cannot produce enough milk
4. When the mother is sick and cannot breast feed.

1. DISADVANTAGES OF BOTTLE FEEDING

1. It is expensive
2. The milk can easily be contaminated by disease germs
3. Constipation is common with artificially fed babes
4. Artificial milk is not as rich as breast milk. It does not contain anti-bodies needed by the baby
5. It requires elaborate preparation and sterilization of feeding unit
6. It does not make for close contact between mother and child

1. BATHING THE BABY

The baby’s skin is delicate, it should not be allowed to get dirty.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE BABY’S BATH

1. Baby’s bath tub
2. Large soft towel for covering the baby
3. Small towel for drying the baby’s skin
4. Face towel
5. Soft sponge
6. Baby’s comb and brush, oil, cream and powder
7. Napkins, napkin pins and rubber pants
8. Clean cloths for dressing baby after bath

PROCEDURES FOR A BABY’S BATH

1. Shut door and windows, get everything needed for baby’s bath ready and within easy reach
2. Prepare yourself by washing your hands, remove bangles, rings or anything that can injure the baby and put on protective clothing
3. Prepare the bath water, test the temperature with your elbow
4. Undress the baby
5. Clean the baby’s face, then his head and dry with face towel
6. Wash over the entire body gently. Dry baby gently with small dry towel
7. Put a few drops of oil or lotion in your hand and gently rub it on the baby’s body. Powder can be applied
8. Dress baby up quickly to prevent him from catching cold. Put on his vest, napkin, then pant, overall e.t.c
9. Brush or comb baby’s hair

Assessment.

1. What are the advantages of Breast-feeding?
2. Mention 5 disadvantages of Bottle-feeding?
3. What are the materials needed for a baby’s bath?
4. Mention 7 procedures for a baby’s bath.