The time to start planning for a baby is before you become pregnant. Women of childbearing age should take precautions, even before conception, to significantly improve the chances of having a health baby.

·         Taking the vitamin B folic acid daily
Taking folic acid before you are pregnant can cut the risks of birth defects of the brain and spine and possibly cleft lip and palate for your baby. The March of Dimes recommends that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing 400 milligrams of folic acid daily, in addition to eating foods rich in folate. These foods include: orange juice, green leafy vegetables, beans and whole grain products. In addition, some breakfast cereals, enriched grain products and vitamins are fortified with a synthetic form of folic acid that is easily absorbed by the body.

·         Adopting a healthy lifestyle
By modifying certain lifestyle behavior patterns, women can improve their chance of becoming pregnant and delivering a healthy baby. Since most women become pregnant before they are aware of being pregnant, it is important to reduce drinking alcoholic beverages, stop smoking and drug use, limit your intake of caffeine, and avoid hot tubs and saunas.

·         Achieve your ideal weight
Being overweight or underweight can cause significant problems during pregnancy.

·         Eat a nutritious and balanced diet

·         Know your family medical history

·         Have medical problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes under control before you get pregnant If you're not immune to the chicken pox and rubella, check with your health care provider about getting vaccinated before becoming pregnant.

·         Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Pre-pregnancy checkups are an important assessment for women who have had problem pregnancies and chronic health problems, not to mention those women whom have never been pregnant. During the visit, the patient's medical history and lifestyle will be evaluated with the doctor. It is a chance to discuss openly questions or concerns regarding current health conditions, medications and possible complications of pregnancy including screening for infections and inherited diseases.

Fathers should also avoid exposure to workplace hazards, stop smoking, and limit their use of alcohol. By practicing these healthier behaviors, a father can increase a couple’s chance of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby.

Make sure you have the following for your new arrival:

Other big items for your little one:

Baby's Almost Here, Get Your Booties in Gear!!
Baby's First Wardrobe

Before you know it, your little bundle of joy will be here. Ideally, you will have been showered with gifts and everything you need to make your baby comfortable. But in case you have any questions of the necessities you’ll need when the baby is born, we made up a list of the essentials. Remember, babies tend to wear several outfits a day.

Make sure you have the following for your new arrival:

Other big items for your little one:

Bathrobes and Bunny Slippers
What To Bring To The Hospital

The last thing you want to do when labor begins is rush around wondering what you’re going to pack for your big day. Here is a helpful list to get you started. Remember, some of these items you can pack now, because you won’t need them until the baby comes.

En route:

For the Labor/Delivery and Recovery Room:

A going home list for mom:

A going home list for baby:

Aerobic Exercise: Aerobic exercise stimulates your heart and lungs, improves your blood flow and expedites the use of oxygen. We recommend walking, swimming and biking to help you increase your strength. To resist fatigue, always keep a comfortable pace.

Conditioning Exercises: Conditioning exercises tone your abdominal and pelvic muscles, preparing you for childbirth. Performing these exercises will speed up your recovery.

Kegel Exercise: Lie on your back, knees bent, feet about 12 inches apart, soles flat on the floor. Your head and shoulders should be flat on the floor and your arms resting flat on your sides. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles and squeeze, as you would to stop urinating midstream, and hold for three seconds. Then slowly release the muscles and relax. Repeat groups of 10 to 12 several times a day.

What's In A Name?

Try these links for finding the perfect name for your baby:

Babyzone

This site features a Baby Name Wizard, lists of most popular names, names from around the world, and many articles on choosing the perfect name

Babynamer

This site includes a database of over 21,000 baby names as well as category lists, such as Nobel Prize Winner names, Shakespearean names, etc.

Animal Crackers
Great Sites For Pregnant Moms

NEMHS has made it easy to get free baby stuff on the Web. We've researched many sites and have come up with a great list where you can get anything from a free Web page for your baby, to magazine subscriptions, diapers and wipes, coupons, birth announcements and newsletters. You can even enter contests to win savings bonds for your child or a college scholarship. So check out these sites and let the goodies roll in.

www.babycenter.com

www.babyzone.com

www.huggies.com

www.mustela.com

www.pampers.com

www.parentstages.com

Infant Safety Precaution
Is Your Home Safe?

• Infant Car Safety Seat

  • The seat should be semi-reclined.

  • Install it in the car so it is facing backwards.

  • Always have your car seat in a convenient place so you can use it correctly

  • Make sure the seat is installed and anchored according to manufacture's instructions.

  • Make sure you have the car seat available for ride home from the hospital.

  • DO NOT substitute a baby carrier for a car safety seat.

   

• Crib

  • Make sure the slats are less than 2 3/8 inches apart.

  • There should be a snug fitting mattress.

  • There should be a minimum of 26 inches from the top of rail to the mattress when the rail is raised.

  • Make sure it has secure and childproof side locks.

  • There should be no sharp edges or lead paint used on the crib.

  • DO NOT leave, large, floppy toys, pillows, or loose plastic sheeting in crib.

   

• Playpen

  • Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, or small weave mesh netting.

  • Make sure the hinges lock tightly with no sharp edges.

  • Only use mesh playpens with sides up.

   

• High Chair

  • Make sure the chair has a wide base for stability.

  • Safety straps should not be attached to tray.

  • Test to make sure that tray and other hardware locks securely.

  • Chair should have a rough surfaced seat to resist slipping.

   

• General Precautions

  • Do not leave baby on flat surface above the floor (such as on a counter) or in bathtub alone.

  • Install smoke and fire detectors, fire extinguisher and rope ladders in home.

  • Use flame resistant sleepwear and clothing.

  • Poison proof your home.

  • To avoid burns from hot ashes, don't smoke when caring for your baby.

  • Never leave a child under school age alone in a room with a baby.

  • Never give medications in the dark.

  • Place safety plugs or electrical tape over unused sockets to avoid electrical shock.

  • Install safety locks/guards on all cabinets, doors and windows below waist level.

  • Keep all indoor and outdoor plants out of child's reach.

  • Have bottle of Ipecac Syrup available.

   

Choosing the Right Toys
Getting the Most for Your Toy Dollar

• Birth - Five Months

  • Mobile - Make sure it is slanted so baby can see.

  • Bold color and contrast picture or black and white geometrical shapes

  • Safe, unbreakable mirror for crib.

  • Music box

  • Crib gym

  • Teething Ring

  • Clutch ball

   

• Six -14 Months

  • Bathtub toys (plastic containers, sponges, bath toys with water wheels and squirters)

  • Toys with doors and hinges

  • Books with thick, durable pages

  • Nesting objects such as Tupperware or barrels

  • Simple mechanical toys such as Sesame Street Poppin Pals

   

• 14 - 24 Months

  • Riding toys - 4-wheel wagon or low horses (leg powered)

  • Pull and push toys

  • Stacking toys

  • Simple puzzles and shape sorters

  • Sandboxes/Wading pools - with appropriate tools

  • Toy telephones

  • Picture books

  • All kinds of balls

  • Cardboard boxes and old cushions

   

• 24 - 36 Months

  • Riding toys such as a low and sturdy tricycles, big wheel

  • Indoor/Outdoor gyms (play should be supervised)

  • Storybooks

  • Art supplies to include crayons, finger and brush paints, and non-toxic
    Play-Doh

  • Blocks wooden or new modern versions

  • Theme toys that include dollhouses, farms, gas stations, parking garages

  • Sit 'n Spin

   

Understanding the Bulb Syringe

When should I use the bulb syringe?

• A bulb syringe is used to clean your baby's nose and mouth of formula or mucus. You may use it when your baby spits up, has a stuffy nose or sneezes (this is how he clears his nose). We suggest you keep a bulb syringe close to your baby, especially during feedings.

How do I use the bulb syringe?

• To use, first squeeze the bulb until it is collapsed. Place it in one nostril and quickly release the bulb. This will bring the formula or mucus into the bulb.

• Remove the bulb syringe from the nose and squeeze the bulb quickly into a tissue to get rid of this material. Repeat for the other nostril (and mouth, if necessary).

• You may use the bulb syringe as often as needed, making sure you thoroughly clean it after use.

How do I clean the bulb syringe?

• Clean the bulb syringe daily with hot soapy water and rinse in hot water. Be sure to clean the inside of the bulb by squeezing the bulb while the tip is in the soapy water. Rinse by repeating the procedure with clean hot water.

Guidelines for Choosing Quality Child Care
for Infants and Toddlers*

More women than ever before are returning to work soon after their baby is born. Choosing just the right child care for your infant/toddler is not only a difficult task but it is also time consuming. In Alabama, parents have three basic child care options:

1. An In-Home Caregiver - the caregiver comes to the home of the child

2. A Family Day Care Home - the child is taken to the caregiver's home

3. A Day Care Center - the child is taken to a facility where groups of children are cared for.

Two of these options, family day care homes and day care centers - unless exempted by law - are required to be licensed by the Department of Human Resources. A license displayed in a center or home shows that the provider has met the minimum standards. It does not guarantee that quality child care is being offered.

In order to make the best child care choice possible, parents need to:

1. Think about the kind of quality of care they want

2. Shop early

3. Observe and ask questions

4. Compare care giving situations and caregivers

In order to help you in your search for just the right child care, consider the following questions:

1. Does the caregiver:

   • Appear to be warm and friendly?

   • Seem calm and gentle?

   • Seem to be someone with who you can develop a relaxed, sharing relationship?

   • Treat each child as a special person?

   • Understand what children can and want to do at different stages of growth?

   • Seem to have enough time to look after all the children in her care?

   • Take time to discuss your child with you regularly?

   • Have previous experience or training in working with children?

   • Seem to enjoy cuddling your baby?

   • Care for your baby's physical needs such as feeding and diapering?

   • Spend time holding, playing with, talking to your baby?

   • Provide stimulation by pointing out things to look at, touch, and listen to?

   • Provide dependable and consistent care so your baby can form an attachment and feel important?

   • Co-operate with your efforts to toilet train your toddler?

   • "Child-proof" the setting so your toddler can crawl or walk safely and freely?

   • Realize that toddlers want to do things for themselves and helps your child to learn to feed and dress him/herself, go to the bathroom, and pick up his or her own toys?

   • Follow a written schedule that meets young children's need for routine but that is flexible enough to meet the needs of each child?

   • Help your child learn language by talking with him or her, naming things, reading aloud, describing what she is doing, and respond to your child's words?

   • Have enough clean bathrooms for all the children in care?

    

2. Does the child care facility have:

   • An up-to-date license, if one is required?

   • A clean and comfortable look?

   • Enough space indoors and out so all the children can move freely and safely?

   • Enough caregivers to give attention to all of the children in care?

   • Enough furniture, cribs, play things and other equipment for all the children in care?

   • Safety caps on electrical outlets, covered radiators, and protected heaters?

   • Equipment that is safe and in good repair?

   • Equipment and materials that are suitable for the ages of the children in care?

   • A safe place to store medicines, household cleansers, poisons, matches, sharp instruments, and other dangerous items?

   • An alternate exit in case of fire? (Fire plan)

   • A safety plan to follow in emergencies?

   • An outdoor play area that is safe, fenced, and free of litter?

   • Enough heat, light, and ventilation?

   • Nutritious meals and snacks?

   • A separate place to care for sick children where they can be watched?

   • A first aid kit, fire extinguisher and smoke detectors?

   • Gates at top and bottom of stairs?

   • A potty chair or special toilet seat in the bathroom?

   • A clean and safe place to change diapers?

   • A wash basin and soap in easy access to the caregiver for hand washing?

   • Cribs with firm mattresses covered in heavy plastic?

   • Separate crib sheets for each baby in care?

    

3. Are there opportunities for infants/toddlers to:

   • Play quietly and actively, indoors and out?

   • Play alone at times and with friends at other times?

   • Use materials and equipment that help children learn new physical skills and to control and exercise their muscles?

   • Crawl and explore safely?

   • Play with objects and toys that help infants develop their senses of touch, sight, and hearing? (For example, mobiles, mirrors, etc.)

   • Take part in a variety of activities that are suited to toddlers' short attention span?

    

Once you have selected the caregiving situation/caregiver you prefer, remember to drop in periodically and to monitor the care being provided. If you observe a situation that causes you concern; talk with the caregiver. If the situation cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may want to consider making a change.

Choosing just the right caregiver is difficult and time consuming. If you need assistance in locating child care for children under age 13, Childcare Resources, a United Way Agency can assist you. CALL 252-1991