Caring for small babies and children

Felistas Chiundira

Description

This book provides a guide to parents and caretakers on the home management of common childhood concerns and on childcare at home. It has also highlighted relevant issues related to caring for the newborns, monitoring growth and development in children, promoting sleep and recognizing early signs of sickness in children. Management of pain that comes due to teething, colic and nappy rash has also been discussed at length. Furthermore, the book provides information to parents and caregivers on how to avoid home related injuries and accidents to ensure safety for young children. Management of common minor ailments and importance of having an emergency box at home has also been emphasized in the book.

Sujets

• African Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Women's Health
• Social Science
• Sociologie, société et politique
• Women's health

Informations

• Publié par: Horace Publications
• Date de parution: 06 décembre 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789996083457
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Caring for small babies and children: A Book for Mothers, Fathers and Child Care Takers

FirstEdition First Edition

Felistas Macheso Chiundira (Child Health Nurse Specialist) Felistas Macheso Chiundira (MSc Child Health Nursing)

H H o o r r a a c c e e P P u ub b l l i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s 2020 2023 ~i~

Published by:

Horace Publications Private Bag 140, Blantyre, Malawi.

© © H H o o r r a a c c e e P P ub u l b ic li a c ti a o ti n o s n 2 s 02 2 3 020

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

eISBN 978-99960-83-45-7

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Foreword

This book is dedicated to new and old-time mothers, fathers and

child caretakers to whom learning does not stop and who are

striving towards promoting physical and emotional development of

children.

It is also dedicated to my beloved sons Mzati and Tawina who gave

me the experience of motherhood. They taught me that parenthood

is a journey of learning, sometimes we learn through trials and

errors and from experience of other people.

This book is written based on literature from several paediatric

books,

research

studies,

interviews

and knowledge from

professional experts in child health and social fields.

Special thanks to Professor Marilyn Hockenberry for editing this

book

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Contents Foreword………………………………………………………………...………………………...iii

Caring for a new-born baby……………………………………....................................1

Things to observe after baby is born………………………………………….……….3

Exclusive breastfeeding………………………………………………….…………………...6

Reasons why babies cry and how to manage them……………..……………10

Promoting sleep and resting in children………………………..………………….13

Tips for mothers with small babies……………………………………...…………….15

Recognising signs of sickness in a baby/ child………………………………….17

Colic/abdominal pains……………………………………………………………………...19

Development of teeth in children (Teething)…………………………………….23

Tips for easing symptoms of teething ........................................................................ 25

Nappy rash and its management…………………………………………………..….27

Management of diarrhoea in children……………………………………………...29

Prevention of injuries and accidents in children………………………………..38

Managing a choking child…………………………………………………………………44

Monitoring growth and development in a child…………………………….…50

Ten ways to express love to your child………………………………………………56

Having an Emergency box at household level ........................................................ 57

Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………….58

References………………………………………………………………………………………..59

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Chapter 1

Caring for a new-born baby

Babies are special gifts therefore we need to take good care of them. As caretakers, we should make sure that they are always kept safe and away from anything that can harm them. Below are some of the important things that we should do in order to take care of babies as soon as they are born;

Bonding Make sure that the mother stays close to the baby to facilitate bonding. Babies feel good when they are cuddled (held close) by their caretakers. If the mother has not yet recovered from the birth process other caretakers should facilitate this. It is also recommended that babies should be put to the breast for feeding as soon as they are born. This also facilitates bonding.

Maintaining warmth for the babies Babies should always be kept warm by covering them from head to toe. Cover them with warm hats, sweaters, socks and warm blankets. Make sure that you close windows and doors to maintain a warm environment.

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