What You Should Do:
1. Always keep the baby neat and clean.
2. Cut your child's nails properly with utmost care.
3. Remove wet nappies and clean their genitals with soap or soft baby wipes (cloth wipes).
4. Take care when cleaning your child's genitals because fungal infection is common in that area. Parts should be kept dry.
5. Care of your child's scalp is very important. Fungal infections, dermatitis etc. can be prevented through proper cleaning.
6. Tight dress can cause irritation, hence clothing should be loose and should allow for air circulation.
7. Rooms should have sufficient light and ventilation. Ensure that rooms are also free from dust and insects.
8. A separate bed, preferably water proofed, is needed for kids. For very young children or breastfeeding children, position the child's bed near the mother's bed.
9. Always keep some music making toys near the baby.
10. While carrying a baby, support their head with your hand. Since a young infant's neck muscles are weak, a sudden fall of the head can be dangerous.
11. Mother's milk is the best nutrition for a baby. It also provides for their emotional needs. Breast milk should be given as per the baby's need preferably with the mother in a sitting position. Mothers should ensure proper cleaning of their nipples when breastfeeding and a good nutritious diet throughout their lactating period.
12. If there are any contraindications for breast feeding, consider cow's milk instead. Clean the feeding bottle with warm water and ensure that bottles are kept dry till next use.
13. Cow's milk should be boiled and cooled. Some diseases like bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, etc. can spread through raw milk.
14. Some children are allergic to substances found in certain foods, milk, dress, cosmetics, etc. Try to find out what's causing the allergy and avoid giving or exposing these to your child.
15. Mosquito nets should be used regularly. Diseases like malaria, dengue, filariasis, yellow fever and others can spread through mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can also produce skin eruptions with some allergic reactions and disturb a child's need for sound sleep.
16. A calm atmosphere around the house should be created and maintained for a good night's sleep. Compared to adults, infants need more sleep. Some studies suggest that growth hormone secretion is activated in children during sleep.
17. Growth development, behavioral development, motor development, personal & social development,language development, etc. should be noted down in relation to the child's age. Parent's please note, however, that you do not need to be over anxious about developmental issues, because slight variations from individual to individual are common.
18. Assess your child's growth by measuring height and weight at regular intervals.
19. In the early months of life, your child may defecate after every feed. Proper toilet training should be given when the infant grows. The infant can be placed on the toilet seat to begin potty training around the age of ten months.
20. The toilet seat (potty seat) should be cleaned with antiseptic liquid before and after use. It should not be shared by other children.
21. If the baby shows some signs of distress like excessive crying, convulsions, fever with rigor, stiffness of neck, frequent vomiting and diarrhoea, bluish discolouration of the body, difficult breathing with grunting, etc. pay careful attention, note the symptoms down and consult your doctor immediately.
22. Always keep a first aid box in your child's room. In the box, keep sterile cotton, dressing materials, antiseptic lotion and ointment and forceps. Tip: Keep a notebook inside or near your first aid box and note down important emergency phone numbers, e.g. doctors, ambulance, police, etc.
23. Children's medicines should be kept in separate, childproof storage box and out of reach. Write down important notes and information regarding dose and mode of administration in a notebook and keep it affixed on the box.
24. While driving, keep your baby or toddler in a separate seat belt.
25. When you are going out with your baby or toddler, keep an identity card with your phone number and address inside a small pocket in their clothing.
26. Always accompany your infant when they start walking to prevent any falls and/or injuries.
27. In case of emergencies, learn to use the following first aid measures and take the victim to a nearby hospital immediately.
Choking: Your baby or toddler may swallow certain solid objects that cause obstruction to their breathing (e.g. soft drink bottle tops and small round disks. Immediately lie the baby on its abdomen (tummy) in head low position and press the abdomen backwards and towards the chest. Stroking the upper back is also useful. If you do not get results shortly after commencing this procedure, do not hesitate to call a trained person to help you extract the choking material with the help of forceps or some other object.
Accidental poisoning: Try to take out the poisonous substance and induce vomiting (except for kerosene & acids). Wash the child's body with water to reduce absorption through the skin. Identify the poison and take the victim to the hospital immediately.
Burns: First of all, remove the source of heat and put clean cold water on the burned area. Burned clothes should not be removed immediately, as they may be fused with the skin. Cover the wound with sterile cotton and take the child to a nearby hospital.
Wounds: Clean the wound with clean water and stop the bleeding by compressing, raising the wound above the level of heart, or by using a tourniquet to compress blood vessels. Dress the wound with sterile cotton, bandage and consult a doctor.
Drowning in bath tub or pool: Take the baby immediately out of the water and keep them in head low position. Press their abdomen gently or give mouth to mouth resuscitation (CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation ) until their air passage is clear. Continue giving mouth-to-mouth breathing and cardiac massage and take the victim to the nearest hospital immediately.
Electric shock: Cut off the source of current immediately (note: make sure you are insulated from receiving a shock yourself). Observe the victim for signs of breathing. If no breathing is detected, give mouth to mouth breath along with cardiac massage and take to the nearest hospital immediately.
28. Last but not least, always give your child maximum care, love and support to ensure they grow up healthy, happy, confident and secure.
What You Should NOT Do:
1. Never shake a baby, it can cause brain damage. Walk away for a few moments if you are feeling distressed, angry or agitated.
2. Don't keep any small articles that can easily be swallowed near a baby or young child.
3. Sharp pointed objects like pens, pencils, scissors, etc. should never be given to kids.
4. Avoid getting water inside your child's ear while giving a bath, especially if they are a young baby.
5. Food should not be given forcibly when the baby is crying or coughing continuously.
6. Do not overfeed your child.
7. Keep objects like mosquito repellents, moth balls, ink, gum, medicines, etc. away from the reach of small children.
8. Avoid dressing your child in tight clothes.
9. Do not place babies and small children near the edge of a bed.
10. Don't give your baby to strangers and avoid close contact with others.
11. All electrical instruments should be kept away. Ensure your child's bed is not positioned near electrical sockets and wires.
12. The kitchen is a dangerous place for young children. Don't leave them unsupervised in the kitchen.
13. The water level in the bath tub should be kept to a minimum. Never leave young children unsupervised when they are in the tub (e.g. to answer a phone call or a knock at the front door). Drownings can occur very quickly.
14. Avoid smoking inside the house.
15. Do not allow pet animals to be in very close contact or proximity with the kids.(Anti rabies injections should be given to pets and their claws should be trimmed properly to avoid scratches and infections)
16. When your child starts walking, do not leave them unsupervised in upstairs areas and do not allow them to climb the steps.
17. Strong light should be avoided in the room.
18. When you are travelling don't allow children to eat food given by strangers or unknown fellow passengers.
19. Babies should not be allowed to crawl on soil, especially if there are pets or animals nearby.
20. If you are sick or someone else is sick stay away from close contact with the children as much as possible.
21. Don't take babies and young children to hospital wards, crowded market places and polluted dusty areas.
22. Table lamps should not be kept near children, as this will attract insects at night and cause problems.
23. Medicines intended for others should not be given to the children.
24. Medicine which has crossed the expiry date (use by date) should not be used.
