Baby care, for the most part, is routine and is best approached
in an organized way. The key to this organization is to correctly equip
and arrange the baby's room. Bathing, changing, and feeding the baby
also should follow an organized routine whenever possible. Common sense
is also essential, especially concerning the safety of the child.
Members of the family with illnesses should be kept out of the baby's
room, as should any type of pet.
The Proper Environment
The baby's Room.
A newborn infant may share the parent's bedroom for the first few months, but even if this is the case, a separate room should be planned and equipped so that everything is conveniently at hand for the main activities in the baby's life: nursing, body hygiene, and diaper changing.
The room itself should be warm and well ventilated. A
constant temperature of 68 to 72 Fahrenheit degrees (20 to 22 Celsius
degrees) is advisable for any baby who weighs less than 8 pounds (3.6
Kg), but as the baby grows and puts on weight, the nighttime temperature
may be allowed to drop slightly. It is important that the air in the
room is not dry. If possible, place a humidifier in the room to keep the
air warm and moist.
Every baby needs fresh air but should be
protected from drafts, so make sure that the crib is not next to an open
window when the baby is asleep. In cold weather, the room should be
aired when the baby is not occupying it.
Lightning.
For the convenience of the parents, the room should be well lighted, but newborn infants are unable to adjust their eyes to a bright light. A ceiling light therefore should have a low-power bulb or a dimmer attachment on the light switch. A small table lamp is useful, particularly when placed on the dresser to illuminate the contents of the drawers.
Even a small baby becomes quickly bored by having
nothing to look at. A mobile above the bassinet or crib may hold the
infant's attention, as will brightly colored pictures fixed within the
baby's field of vision.
Furniture and Equipment.
The most important piece of furniture in the baby's room is the bed. The most suitable first bed for a newborn infant is a bassinet, straw basket, or portable crib because a tiny baby feels more secure in a fairly small space. If the baby is going to sleep in a crib, put bumper pads around the edge and wrap the baby firmly so that he or she feels secure.
The mattress must be firm and smooth and should fit the
bed snugly. Never use a pillow instead of a mattress-use a foam pad at
least one inch (25mm) thick, and make sure that the waterproof cover
fits tightly over the mattress. If you are using a straw or cane
bassinet, line the inside with material to prevent the baby from
catching or scratching the fingers or face on rough edge. This also
helps to prevent drafts. A baby under the age of one year should never
be given a pillow for the head.
A low, comfortable chair with
armrests and a straight back is another important item in the baby's
room. The chair can be used for feeding with the bottle or nursing at
the breast; or the parent can sit in the chair and change the baby's
diaper on the lap instead of on a changer.
All the equipment
needed during a diaper change should be within reach so that the parent
does not have to leave an infant unattended on the changing surface. A
shelf attached to the side of the changing table is useful for storing
cream, powder, cotton, and diapers. If this is not possible, make sure
that there is a working surface at the correct height next to the
changing area. Overhead shelves are convenient, but can be dangerous
since a jar or bottle could fall on the baby.
Place two buckets
with lids for dirty diapers and clothes by the side of the changing
area. A wastebasket also should be beside the changing area for used
pieces of cotton.
There should be a plastic bathtub on a sturdy
stand in the room and a rack on which to hang towels and a facecloth. It
is more suitable to bathe a small baby in his or her room because the
temperature is more easily maintained than in an adult bathroom. Even if
the room is centrally heated, it may be necessary to boost the room
temperature with a heater before bath time. The heater can be either of
the radiator type or an electrical heater placed high on the wall.
If
parents intend always to feed the baby in his or her own room, a
separate low table or cart should be set aside for nursing and feeding
articles.
A dresser is useful for storing sheets, blankets,
towels, diapers, and clean clothing. As the baby grows out of clothes,
they should be stored elsewhere to ensure that the dresser does not
become overfull.
Safety.
When planning and equipping a baby's room, safety factors should always be kept in mind. Babies quickly become mobile; it is often not until a near-accident occurs that the parents realize how active the baby is.
All the furniture in the room should be strong and stable
so that a crawling infant is not able to overturn it. The windows
should have safety stops on them so that they cannot be opened wide
enough for the child to crawl out of. As an alternative, parents can fix
bars (vertical ones) over the window. If there are electrical outlets
at ground level, cover them with outlet covers (which are available at
hardware or department stores) or place a piece of heavy furniture in
front of them because the crawling child will soon try poking something
into the plug.
Cribs should be selected carefully. Bars should be
less than 2.5 inches (6.25cm) apart, so that the child cannot get stuck
or choke. There must be no peeling paint. Once the crib is set up, do
not tie to the bars anything in which the child might become entangled.
Never use an unguarded space heater in a baby's room. Liquid fuel heaters are also dangerous and should not be used.
You can find the first part of the original article here: The
Baby's Room
[http://hoodiagordoniisideeffects.com/baby-care-babys-room.php], and the
second part here: Baby Furniture and Equipment
[http://hoodiagordoniisideeffects.com/baby-care-furniture-equipment.php].
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