Maharashtra Board Class 11 Child Development Chapter 10 Care During Infancy PDF Download

Care During Infancy

What Is The Preparation Required Before Bringing A Neonate Home?

Infants require a lot of care and attention, especially in the first few years of life. The first few hours after birth is a very sensitive time when the parent makes a deep connection with the infant. Physical closeness can promote an emotional connection. A lack of connect and tenderness can have a long term impact on the infant. Attachment contributes to their emotional growth, which in turn affects development in other areas, such as the physical and social growth. Children thrive when caregivers love them unconditionally.

Newborn babies are completely dependent on adults for their sustenance. The physical needs of a newborn are obvious. It needs to be fed, bathed, clothed and protected from harm.

Care Of The Neonate

As the newborn baby is completely dependent for fulfilment of its needs, the caregiver has to be very cautious, prompt and vigilant while caring for the neonate. Since the neonate was in the amniotic fluid for many months, the mouth, nose and ears need to be cleaned of the fluid after birth. Secretion from nose and ears should be cleaned carefully with soft cotton cloth. The navel of the newborn should be kept dry and clean, any discharge surrounding the eyes should be gently cleaned with lukewarm water. Mouth also needs to be cleaned with a soft cloth.

Feeding

From the beginning of human history, babies are breast fed. Breast milk is known to be the best food for infants. Breast milk is produced in small sac-like glands (alveoli) in the breast. The milk is squeezed out of the milk gland into the milk ducts and then into the nipple. Regardless of size of the breasts, lactating mothers produce enough milk for their newborn baby. Milk is the main food for infant for the first six months of life.

Feeding can be of two types:

Breast feeding

Bottle feeding

Breast Feeding

The first nutrition that any child is exposed to comes from the breast milk. There is no substitute for mother's milk even though several other market products may claim to match the nutrition in breast milk. Breast milk has all the necessary ingredients in the right proportion. It is well balanced in fat, carbohydrates and proteins. Formula milk or other food supplements are no match to this. Babies who are exclusively breastfed gain weight better, have higher IQ, better immunity and are less prone to allergies and infection.

Teacher's Note

Breast milk is like pure water from a spring. Just like clean water is the best for health, mother's milk is the best for a baby in India.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mother's milk has colostrum in first days. Colostrum = immunity power. It is like a baby's first vaccine from mother.

Points to Remember

Breast milk is produced in the breast glands called alveoli.
Mother's milk is easy to digest for the newborn baby.
Colostrum is the first milk that comes after birth. It is thick and yellowish.
Exclusive breastfeeding means baby gets only mother's milk. No water, no other food.
Breastfeeding helps both the mother and baby stay healthy.

Benefits Of Breast Feeding

Mother's milk is easily digestible and contains all the nutrients which are required for the growth of the baby.

It is uncontaminated since the baby directly drinks from mother's breast, free from any kind of infection and has an appropriate temperature.

After child birth for the first few days mother's breasts produces the first milk called as Colostrum which is thick, sticky and yellowish in colour. Colostrum is higher in protein, minerals, salt, Vitamin A and E, low in fat and carbohydrates.

Colostrum is also full of unique disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulin that strengthen the baby's immune system. When neonates are fed colostrum, it acts as their first natural vaccination.

Mother's milk contains lactose sugar and therefore is naturally sweet.

Breast fed babies show signs of better growth and development.

It creates a bond of warmth, comfort, security between the mother and the baby.

It helps the uterus of the mother to contract and return to it's original size and shape.

Breast feeding delays monthly period of the mother and helps in family planning.

Studies show that mothers who breast feed are less prone to breast cancer.

Teacher's Note

In your family, grandmothers always encourage mothers to breastfeed. They know it is nature's way to keep babies healthy and strong.

Exam Trick

Remember: Colostrum = first milk = yellow and thick = full of antibodies = nature's vaccine for baby.

Points to Remember

Breast milk is the best natural food for infants for six months.
Colostrum is produced for first few days after birth.
Colostrum has special antibodies called immunoglobulin.
Breastfeeding creates emotional bond between mother and baby.
Mother's milk contains lactose which makes it naturally sweet.

Bottle Feeding

If the mother is unable to produce adequate quantity of milk or is suffering from any illness/diseases and cannot breastfeed her baby then in such circumstances infants are fed with bottles.

Powdered formula milk or diluted cow's milk can be fed as per the suitability of the baby. Formula/cow's milk can be fed to the baby by using a feeding bottle or a spoon and bowl. The bottle, nipple or spoon and bowl that are used for feeding the infant have to be sterilized properly every time before feeding to avoid infections.

Teacher's Note

When mothers are sick or cannot produce milk, bottle feeding helps the baby survive. In India, many families use both methods depending on the mother's health.

Exam Trick

Remember: Bottle = formula milk = must be sterilized = kept clean to avoid germs and infection.

Points to Remember

Bottle feeding is used when mother cannot breastfeed.
Formula milk or cow's milk is used for bottle feeding.
All bottles and nipples must be clean and sterilized.
Sterilization means killing all germs with heat.
Bottle feeding should be as hygienic as breast feeding.

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