1. The Infant years (Birth to 12 Months Old)
Identify specific health and safety considerations that you will have to consider during the infant years.
How will you address these issues?
Example:
Hand washing
Proper hand washing is essential to keeping infants healthy as their immune system is low. “Hand washing is the most
important health practice that parents /educators and children must implement to reduce the spread of infections.”
(Pimento, Page 129) This was seen when my baby had many colds and ear infections within the first year. Although it is
common for infants to catch colds and infections, I need to use proper hand washing.
Now add your next point….
Effective Diapering
Following the effective 11 steps of diapering is must for an infant to avoid spread of germs. “The diaper- changing surface,
the surrounding area should always be considered contaminated. The area should never be used for anything else,
including putting a baby bottle down on the counter even for a minute.”(Pimento, Page 135) This was seen when my baby
was within the infancy stage, as I used disposable diapers and followed the steps of diapering to prevent spread of germs.
Prevention from Diarrhea
Khusii on rare occasions had Diarrhea. “Children especially infants and toddlers, can become de – hydrated quickly
because they lose more of their body fluids in Diarrhea.” (Pimento, Page 174) I along with proper cleanliness , sanitizing
and proper hand washing before and after feeding her food made sure that I gave her enough breast milk, oral
rehydration solution and liquids to prevent her from being de-hydrated and took her to the doctor. I was cautious, so I
introduced new baby food veggies and meats one at a time and for several days in a row to see if Khusii likes it, and to see
if she digests it well.
Breast milk vs. bottle feeding or formula
Ialways preferred to give breast milk to Khusii rather than bottle feeding or formula. Even when I went to work I used a
breast pump. So, I never compromised on feeding with breast milk.Compared to infant formula, breast milk is so much
better that there is no comparison! Formula-fed babies are sicker, sick more often, and are more likely to die in infancy or
childhood. Compared to exclusive/extended breastfed babies, formula-fed babies have a doubled overall infant death risk,
and 4-fold risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
(http://www.007b.com/wonders_breastmilk.php#wonders)
Choking Hazards
When Khusii started taking semi- solid and solid foods, the doctor recommended a greater variety of baby food and
ground up fruits and veggies. I made sure that I feed her in small amounts in a semi- solid texture. I grinded the food well
in a food processor and made sure to avoid the following foods can be choking hazards: Hot dogs ,Nuts and seeds ,chunks
of meat or cheese ,whole grapes hard, gooey, or sticky candy, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter , raw vegetables ,fruit
chunks, such as apple chunks ,chewing gum etc.
(http://www.thecradle.com/bringingbabyhome/infantchokinghazards)
Cleaning and Sanitizing toys:
Khusii have a habit of throwing toys from her crib and often puts them in her mouth to explore, so I make sure that I
wash and sanitize her toys daily to prevent spread of germs. I use 1 part of bleach to 100 parts of water to sanitize toys.
(Pimento, Page 142). Toys that are mouthed should be cleaned and sanitized daily.(Pimento, Page 140)

2. The Toddler Years (2 Years Old)
Have there been any environmental events that you think might have influenced your child’s development?
Does this create any health or safety concerns for your toddler?
Removing sharp objects:
Khusii learnt to walk and climb on almost everything in the house at the age of nine months and out of her curiosity she
tried to open and explore anything in the house. To prevent her from getting hurt I replaced all the sharp edged
furniture’s and objects. Cabinets and drawers contain a multitude of hazards including sharp objects, chemicals,
medications, and items that could pose a choking hazard.Install latches to the insides of drawers and cabinets
whenever possible. Use knob latches on doors with knobs, if necessary. Make sure drawers and cabinet since all
rooms are equipped with these devices.
http://babyparenting.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/babyproofing.html
Choking Hazards
I removed all small particles from the house likeballoons, coins,marbles,toys with small parts,toys that can be
squeezed to fit entirely into a child's mouth,small balls, pen or marker caps, small button-type batteries,medicine
syringes including small toys to prevent choking hazards for khusii.
http://www.thecradle.com/bringingbabyhome/infantchokinghazards)
Avoiding falls
Khusii was always had a tendency of going out in the balcony to explore the plants kept there. She loved to explore the
plants on every sunny day on the balcony. I made sure to rise up the wall of the balcony with wooden ply to prevent
danger of Khusii falling down. (Virtual Child Report at 18 months)
Safety in Toilet
Khusii have a habit of running and climbing on anything. In order to avoid accidents in the toilet I bought a separate
potty chair, training pants, and a little story book about a child learning to use the potty and all the items were age
appropriate, so that she can understand how to use a toilet step by step and not fall into the hole of the toilet seat. I also
kept the washroom dry from any spills of water so that she does not slip and fall to hurt herself.(Virtual Child Report 18
months)
Provide safe and harmless toys:
Khusiialways hit herself with the toys on her face to see and feel the effect, but in this process of exploration she often
hurt herself, so I changed all her toys into soft toys, and taught her not to hit herself with toys. I checked that the toys
had no hard texture.( .(Virtual Child Report 15months)