An important part of helping your child be ready for school success is making sure your child gets healthy meals and snacks and regular physical activity at home and in child care. Follow the simple guidelines and tips below at home, and talk to your child’s caregiver about healthy eating and physical activity.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating means choosing foods from all the food groups that will provide the nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber) needed for strong bodies and minds. It also means paying attention to portion and serving sizes. Portion sizes and servings should be smaller for children than for adults.

The basic food groups are:

* meats and poultry,

* milk and dairy,

* grains and bread,

* vegetables, and

* fruits.

For more information on the many varieties of foods and the recommended daily requirements, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s web site that has the Food Pyramid and other helpful nutritional information. You can also ask your family physician for nutritional guidance.

Try these tips to help your children eat healthy:

* Talk about it. Teach your children about the different food groups and how important it is to eat a variety of good foods.

* Eat together as a family. Practice what you teach. Parents serve as role models for developing lifelong habits.

* Limit or eliminate foods with sugar: candies, pastries, soft drinks.

* Give younger children small portions. Let them ask for more if they want more.

* Give younger children 5 or 6 mini-meals a day. They have smaller stomachs. It may be an easier way to make sure they get a variety of foods throughout the day. The whole family may want to try this as well. Small mini-meals throughout the day can prevent overeating and high calorie snacking.

* Provide nutritious snacks: fresh fruits, low fat cheese, and cereal with low fat milk.

* Limit eating at fast food restaurants. Fast foods are typically high in fat.

* Don’t expect a clean plate. This can lead to overeating.

* Try a variety of low-fat cooking recipes. Find healthy foods your children will love.

Fitness Fun

Along with eating healthy parents will want to make sure their children are physical fit. Eating and fitness go hand-in-hand. The body was meant to be nourished and it was meant to move. Watch young children and you will see how natural it is to run, skip, and jump. If your children are already physically active every day, encourage them to continue. Try these tips to help your children get moving:

* Let your infant roam around, safely, as much as possible-limit time in strollers and playpens.

* Make sure your children get outside to play at least 20 to 30 minutes everyday.

* Plan weekly family outings that involve being outdoors: biking, swimming, Frisbee.

* Have a variety of fun equipment that promotes fitness: bouncing balls, basketballs, soccer balls, jump ropes, badminton, hula hoops, and bicycles.

Healthy Child Care

Talk to your child’s caregiver about healthy eating and fitness. First, you will want to make sure you have any dietary restrictions or requirements in writing to avoid miscommunication. In addition, you can share these kinds of articles with your child’s caregiver, and encourage practices that support health and nutrition. For example, find out if children are being fed family style. Family style eating is ideal, because it allows your child to practice pouring and serving, and enjoy social time with the caregivers and adults.

Also ask about and observe the types of physical activity your child is getting at child care. Even babies need chances to move around and be outside every day!

When you partner with your child’s caregiver for nutritious eating and fitness routines, you are giving your child a healthy start to school success.

(1). What are the common causes of newborn deaths and are they preventable?

The common causes of newborn deaths in our country are:

A. Infection - 52%

B. Asphyxia or lack of oxygen to fetus and newly born baby - 20%

C. Prematurity, babies born much before completing 9 months of pregnancy - 15%

D. Congenital malformations, birth defects and other miscellaneous causes - 13%

Most of these are preventable to a large extent.

(2). What are low birth weight babies and why are they special?

Babies born with a birth weight of less than 2500g are low birth weight babies (LBWB), those with birth weight less than 1500gms are very low birth weight babies (VLBW) and those with a weight of less than 1000gms are extremely low birth weight (ELBW). In India nearly one third of all newborn babies have low birth weight.

The common causes of low birth weight babies are:

A. Frequent pregnancies

B. Poor care during pregnancy

C. Poor nutritional status of mother

D. High blood pressure, anemia, infections

E. Tobacco use by mother

F. Low maternal literacy

G. Pregnancy at young age

A large number of the above mentioned predisposing factors for low birth weight babies can be prevented by health education. Maternal nutrition plays an important role in newborn health. Keeping this in mind the stress is on increasing awareness amongst the public, health personnel regarding the importance of nutritional status and health of the girl child, the future mother. “Every delivery to be attended by trained personnel”.

(3). What can be done to improve the outcome of newborn babies?

A. Education of expectant mothers about various problems during pregnancy which can affect the baby.

B. Basic minimum care during pregnancy, nutrition counseling and supplementation of iron and vitamins.

C. Preferably deliveries to be conducted at the institution or by trained medical personnel. All high-risk pregnancies where problems are anticipated should be conducted at hospitals or institutions.

D. Provide essential care to all newborn babies.

E. Early diagnosis of problems in newborns and early referral to hospitals for optimum care and treatment.

F. Transportation of newborn babies should be such that the baby doesn’t become cold during transfer.

(4). Essential newborn care

A. Good antenatal care, maternal nutrition, prevention and treatment of anaemia and tetanus toxoid immunization to the mother.

B. Delivery conducted by trained personnel.

C. Prevention and early treatment of infections.

D. Recognition of danger signs of disease and early referral to a medical facility.

E. Stable and safe transport.

F. Resuscitation of newborn.

G. Gives warmth to the newborn baby i.e. to prevent baby becoming cold.

H. Early and elite breast feeding for 6 months.

Prenatal Period is the time from start to birth, roughly a nine-month period. Infancy is the development period that extends from birth to 18 to 24 months. They are very dependent on adults. They start to learn the language, social learning, and symbolic thought. They explore sensor motor organization like sense of touch, sense of taste, sense of sound, sense of smell and sense of sight.

Early childhood is the development period that extends from the end of infancy to about 5 to 6 years of age. This period is called the preschool years. During this time, young children learn to become more self- enough. Their language expands; they develop school readiness skills like identifying letters and to follow instructions. They spend many hours in play and with peers.

Immediate Nursing Care Of New Born

(1). Check the Apgar score at 1st minute and 5th minute

(2). Provide vitamin k 1mg intra muscularly

(3). Immunization

(4). Provide immunization card to mother

(5). First thing care is ore-nasal suctioning, clamp the umbilical cord and cut the cord

(6). Wipe the baby with clean towel

(7). Grasp the baby and keep it warmer

(8). Eye care and cord care using aseptic technique

(9). Nutrition: explain advantages and importance of breast feeding

(10). Elimination: check for passage me conium black and terry stools passing with first 24 to 28 hours after birth.

(11). New born should void within first 24hours of life

(12). Hygiene: while cleaning genital area wipe from front to back so feces do not contaminate genital area

(13). Keep diaper clean and dry which is best prevention against diaper rash

(14). Rest and sleep: provide adequate rest to new born since new born will sleep for 18 to 22hours per day

(15). Avoid sharp instrument and electrical sockets in bed

(16). Protect baby from hypothermia, infection and malnutrition.

(17). 30,000 kids die every day. Learn how you can help save them!

(18). Provide supine or side line position for sleep of infant

(19). Safety and injury prevention

(20). Side reels of baby cradle should be up

(21). Avoid over covering of new born

Parents Knowledge

Becoming a parent is a sole and happiest moment for everyone. After all the weeks of preparation and planning you can now hold your baby. The responsibilities of a ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ come with the arrival of your baby.

Some important things that parents should keep in mind

(1). Keep a supply of first aid equipment in your house.

(2). The baby must be kept warm and dry to prevent heat loss.

(3). decide cotton cloths for babies to avoid skin allergies. .

(4). Never leave a young child along with your baby; he might pick him up and drop him or give him dangerous objects to play with.

(5). Mother should eat a well balanced diet which is more important if you are breast feeding.

(6). Breast milk alone should be given till the baby is at least 4 months. Even in very hot climate there is no need to give extra water.

(7). Oil should not be put in ears or nose. It can cause serious damage and infection.

(8). Strong odoured soaps and cosmetics should be avoided rather mild soaps should be used. These may lead to skin allergies and rashes.

(9). Never leave the baby alone in the bath even for a second.

(10). No home remedies should be given even for minor problems. Consult your doctor as soon as you feel something is wrong.

Mothers Advice

Breast Feeding

Breast feeding is the natural way of feeding your baby. Nature designed human milk especially for human babies, and it has several advantages over any substitute ever developed. Feeding your baby should be a pleasure. The baby should be at the breast immediately after birth. The vast majority of newborns can be put to breast within minutes of birth. There is no substitute for the colostrums (the thick yellowish fluid) that your breasts produce in the first few days and feeding your baby this will give him with precious antibodies to help him fight infection and built up immunity in the early months. Studies have also shown that skin to skin contact between mothers and babies keeps the baby as warm as an incubator. Breast milk contains just the right balance of nutrient, and it contains them in a form most easily used by the human baby’s immature body systems.

Breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry without any restriction of time. Provide for your baby even during the night. You can breastfeed the infant even lying down although the best way is to sit upright and feed. It is a ordinary doubt for breast feeding mothers whether their baby is getting enough milk. You can find out, by checking whether the baby is passing colorless urine at least 8 - 10 times a day.

How to Breast Feed

(1). Hole your breast with your index and medium fingers.

(2). Introduce your nipple and areola (the dark circle around your nipple) inside the baby’s mouth.

(3). Feeding while lying down is more comfortable but don’t fall asleep or the child could involuntarily be suffocated if you roll over with the breast still in his mouth.

(4). After breast feeding burp up any swallowed air, giving him soft strokes on the back

(5). Wash your hand and nipples with water and soap.

(6). Sit comfortably in an upright position with your back supported and hold your baby with her head up. Put a pillow on your lap to bring the baby to the right level of the breasts.

(7). Feed at one breast at a time till it is empty (because the initial milk (foremilk) is watery (contains sugar and proteins) and quenches the baby’s thirst while the milk that is secreted later (hind milk) is rich in fats and satisfies baby’s hunger.)

(8). After the first breast is empty, burp her and shift to the second breast.

(9). You can alternately start the feeds at either of the breast.

(10). Put your small finger in the baby’s mouth in order to take out your breast easily.

A baby monitor can undoubtedly offer a great deal of assistance to both first-time and experienced parents. If you want to get things done while your baby dozes off in another room, then purchasing this nifty gadget is certainly the way to go. Concerned parents, like you, also have the option of setting up multi-room baby monitors.

Multi-room Monitoring

A good number of baby monitors only have one radio transmitter and one or more portable receivers that make it possible for parents to listen in on their babies all day and all night long. If you prefer to have one radio transmitter in every room, there are actually a smaller number of choices.

In order to set up a multi-room monitoring system, some parents purchase more than one baby monitors. By simply positioning one radio transmitter in each room, you can listen to the sounds coming from your baby’s room even if you’re busy with house chores or other stuff.

Then again, this added capability comes with a number of drawbacks. The baby monitors could interfere with each other. For that reason, you need to make sure that they are set in different frequency bands; otherwise, you will only be able to hear irritating electronic screeches. Your most excellent option these days would be to purchase baby monitors that carry features for multi-room monitoring.

Other Practical Features

Baby monitors are actually quite new. The idea behind the importance of having one is that you – as a parent – are afforded with an extra set of eyes and ears. This way, you can keep tabs on your baby even while you’re busy with something else. By listening in on your little one, you’ll be alerted each time he or she needs feeding or a diaper change.

Video Monitoring – The latest models of baby monitors also feature several other options that takes the pressure off monitoring your baby 24/7. The video monitoring capability of some model allows you to watch over your baby anytime and anywhere in your house.

You may even avail of the web cast feature that makes it possible for a parent, who’s away on a business trip, to keep track of their baby or kid at home. This is definitely an excellent alternative especially when one of the parents needs to work away from home for a certain period of time.

Walkie-talkie Features – This option provides you with the ability to talk to your little one through the baby monitor. On top of that, you can even play music or transmit almost anything you want to the baby. Some doting parents also make use of this feature to calm their babies down by talking to them over the baby monitor. Also, when your child is old enough to speak, you can surely have chats by means of this nifty device.

Other Fun Features – Newer models of baby monitors now come with a number of fun attributes. The wide range of options include rechargeable batteries for the portable receivers, remote controls, warning alerts for movements – or lack thereof, and monitors with musical capabilities.

Of course, you need to thoroughly choose features that suit you and your baby; otherwise, you’ll end up spending money for something you don’t really need. Plus, if you’re planning to set up multi-room baby monitors, make sure that they function as efficiently as they’re supposed to in order to ensure your child’s safety.

Baby monitors are big help to parents who need a lot of things to do but do not want to sacrifice the security of their baby. Baby monitors can easily be purchased online or in your local shops.

However, there are also baby monitors that are installed by professionals. Unlike the baby monitors off the shelf, professionally installed ones usually make use of high end gadgets in watching over your baby.

The Types of Baby Monitors

Basically there are two types of baby monitors: audio and video baby monitors. Audio baby monitors only make use of sounds while video baby monitors make use of a camera and transmitter to send video feeds to a LCD receiver. LCD or Liquid Crystal Display are the choice of manufacturers in video baby monitors since it is light, and is the best mobility wise compared to CRT devices.

Baby monitors that use live video feeds may only be of two things: wired or wireless. Wireless devices are convenient and are the good partners for video baby monitors that use LCD screens as the parents’ unit. They can carry it around anywhere around the house while still having the convenience of watching over the baby.

Advantages of Using Professional Wireless Baby Monitors LCD

When hiring or using professional wireless baby monitors LCD, you are assured of one thing – quality. Since this is the kind of service and specialty they provide, you can be quite sure that you as parents are given the best possible monitoring they can provide. This is one advantage of going pro.

Another advantage is that there is usually customer support that will be willing to help you in case you encounter any problems. Just a few presses on the dial pad of the phone and you will right away be presented with several solutions to the problem you are experiencing.

Installation of different baby monitors can sometimes be hassle especially if you do not know anything about gadgets and other electronic devices. Other people will do it for you while still asking for your consultation.

The quality of devices used as baby monitors will also be of high calibre. Professionals, to live up to their name, will do anything to please their customers. They will provide you with the latest in technology baby monitors. The better the technology, the better monitoring will be.

Disadvantages of Using Professional Wireless Baby Monitors LCD

The biggest disadvantage of using professional wireless baby monitors is its cost. Compared to using off the shelf gadgets, professional ones will cost way much higher. This is expected of course since you will be given the best possible baby monitoring system they can provide. Of course, if you have the money for it, then this would not be much of a problem.

Another minor disadvantage of this kind of baby monitoring is that you have to confide with the company if you want something to be changed – positions, monitoring gadget, monitoring system, etc. Unlike when using your off the shelf baby monitor which you can position to your liking anytime anywhere, you still have to wait for their personnel to come and do it for you.

In the end, choosing whether to go pro or just use what is available depends on your preference and most importantly your budget.