HOME ECONS JSS3 WK 10 NOTE

 Date: 21st November - 25th November ,2022

Topic: Child Development and Care 

Sub - Topic: Care Required By a Child 

              The care required by a child includes love and warmth, good food, clothing ,good health, bath, play/exercises, immunization, good nutrition etc. The care given to a child influences the growth and development of the child. 

a. Good Nutrition: The baby needs good food that can promote growth and development. Poor feeding in infancy can result to retarded growth. A baby can be fed either by the breast or bottle. The breast milk is the best because it contains all the essential nutrients for the baby in natural form. As baby grows, suitable semi solid foodse.g cereal are introduced .

I. Breast Feeding : This involves the natural way to feed a baby. It can be started immediately after birth. A baby can be fed exclusively on breast milk from birth to up to six month. 

Colostrum : This is the first milk produced in the first few days by a nursing mother. It is yellowish in colour and it helps to clear the baby's first sticky stool called Meconium.

                 Advantages of Breast Feeding 

1. Breast milk contains antibodies which protect the child against disease infection 

2. Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed by a baby more than any other food.

3. It does not require any elaborate preparation.

4. It is produced in the right temperature and it is sterile and free from germs

5. It is easily digested and absorbed by the baby.

          Guidelines for Breastfeeding 

1. The mother has to wash her hands and clean her breast with water before breast feeding the baby.

2. She should sit comfortably  and carry the baby close to herself.

3. Hold the breast properly and away from the baby's nose 

4. Let the baby feed at both breast one at a time 

5. Wind the baby at the end of the feeding 

6. Clean the nipples brassiere always. 

II. Artificial or Bottle Feeding: The involves the process of feeding a baby  with artificial milk ,often through the feeding bottle. There are different types and brand of milk in the market commonly made from cow milk. It best to breast feed the baby ,however there are times when it becomes necessary to bottle feed babies. Instances such as 

a. When there are multiple births e.g triplets or twins. The mother's milk might not be sufficient. 

b. When mother is working full time  outside the home 

c. When mother is sick and cannot breast feed.

d. When mother cannot produce enough milk.

                      Disadvantages of Bottle Feeding 

1. The milk can easily be contaminated 

2. It does not not make for close contact between mother and child.

3. It is expensive and it does not make for close contact between mother and child.

4. It requires elaborate e preparation and sterilisation of feeding unit.

5. Constipation is very common with bottle fed babies.

          Guidelines and Steps for Bottles Feeding 

1. Boil the water used for preparation of baby's food.

2. Wash and sterilise baby's feeding unit before and after each meal.

3. Follow the manuals instructions found on the back of the milk container for the mode of preparation of the food.

4. Wash hands before preparing baby's food 

5. The food should only be made up when it is required. It shouldn't be made before time. The teat of the feeding bottle must also be suitable for the baby. 

          Weaning and Infant Feeding at Different Stages Of Development.

Weaning: it is the process whereby feeding baby's from the breast or a bottle is replaced with the use of unmodified cow's milk and other suitable foods. That is introducing the baby gradually to foods other than milk.

Weaning foods includes gruel prepared from cereals such as corn and millet. Weaning foods can also be prepared from meat or chicken broth, fruit,vegetables and other staple food by cooking, pulping and sieving to produce a smooth paste or puree. 

            Infant Feeding at Different Stages

1. First Six Month: breast milk and milk preparations are adequate  sources of nourishment for a baby. 

2. After four to six months and for the rest of the years of life, weaning foods are required.

3. By age of 12months, the infant should be introduced to a wider range of  suitable food. The should be well cooked and mashed. The child should be able to use spoon. 

4. By the age of two years, the child should be able to eat with other family members. He should however have the best part of the family food.

 b. Bathing the Baby: this involves caring for the baby's skin because of how delicate a baby's skin is. It should not be allowed to get dirty. It is therefore important to give the baby a regular bath.

          Materials Needed for Baby's Bath 

1. Baby's bath tub. It could plastic or enamel.

2. Large towel for covering the baby 

3. Small towel drying the baby's skin 

4. Face towel 

5. Soft sponge 

6. Baby's comb and brush 

7. Baby's oil, powder, cream or lotion.

8. Clean clothes for dressing baby after bath.

Assignments.

1.Outline the detailed procedures of bathing a baby 

2. Write out points to consider when providing clothes for a baby.

b. List 5 points on how to care for baby's clothes.