Lucas Bottelier, Junior
September marks the start of Baby Safety Month where many raise awareness of the importance of having a healthy baby. This month also represents the parents that are trying to educate or should educate themselves on this topic. The way a child is cared for in their early stages of life is very important because any wrong or uneducated decision that is made can lead to things like the development of allergies, immune system function, and overall physical health problems. Although this is very important, many get too caught up in the physical needs of a baby but overlook the importance of good mental health.
There are many things you can do to keep your baby happy and healthy. Many of these topics are very often overlooked, one of them being things that should, and should not do during pregnancy. Keeping the baby healthy in the womb is key to having a healthy birth. Some things to avoid are ingesting any form of non-medically provided drugs, smoking, vaping, or eating foods that lack nutritional value. These are all things that raise the likelihood of a miscarrage or a faulty birth. The food that a baby ingests should meet certain nutritional expectations. It should have enough protein for the baby to build healthy muscles and tendons, th
e essential vitamins to keep the mind clear and immune system healthy, and some fibers for their teeth and digestive system. Natural food items like avocados, bananas, berries, and potatoes are much better than processed baby foods and store bought packaged items. It is also very important to breastfeed a baby if possible; breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies; studies show that most babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and diarrhea.
Keeping a baby in a happy, stress free mindset is very important. Doing fun activities on a regular basis and having a daily connection and routine is critical when raising a baby. Although it most likely cannot be proven, according to health experts babies can develop depression when they do not feel included and are unoccupied for long periods of time. It is important to acknowledge the parents that are working full time jobs and those who do not have a family member, trustworthy friend, or spouse to help raise and provide attention to their child. Not being able to spend the desired amount of time with a child can be frustrating; to ensure the child has something to do during the periods of time that the caretaker(s) are away it is a good idea to hire a babysitter. With COVID-19 being so infectious, it would not be a great idea to send them to something like a day care where they are highly susceptible to catching the virus. It is also proven that children under the age of one are at much higher risk of developing more severe symptoms than almost any other age group.
As we approach the end of Baby Safety Month, it is important to spread this information to anyone that could be uneducated on the topic and to raise awareness to any family and baby that has suffered from an unfortunate birth accident or misscarrage. Families deserve to live a happy life with their child. Every child deserves a quality life with their family, one that is memorable and can be cherished forever.
Sources:
https://www.jpma.org/page/baby_safety_month
https://www.kinsahealth.co/blog/kinsa-blog/10-tips-for-keeping-baby-safe/
https://www.babycenter.com/baby/solids-finger-foods/age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680
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