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Check These Things Before Finalising a Daycare for Your Infant
Leaving a baby is never easy. No caregiver other than you seems good enough for your bundle of love. Never expect someone to take care of your baby as well as you do, not even your partner. If someone is close enough, then you are one lucky person and have found your bliss. I found my bliss the day I chose a daycare centre. Why did I choose a daycare for my baby over all the other options? That's a story for some other day. For now, if you are selecting a daycare for your little one, here's all that you should look for before finalising one.
Vacancy - Check if the daycare you are looking at has a vacancy. Most of these childcare facilities have a limit to the number of infants they can enrol, and this is necessary to ensure that there is no overcrowding and that your little one gets enough space and attention.
Fee - As Jessie J rightly said, "It's all about the money, money, money!", daycares are all about money! Jokes apart, this must be considered. If the fee is way out of your budget, then you need to rethink your options.
Timing and Operational Days - You need to check if the daycare schedules match your working hours. You might need to adjust your working hours accordingly or find some other options that match yours. Some childcare facilities don't operate on Saturdays. Run through their annual holiday calendar. The fee may vary as per timing too. So check what will it cost you if you customise the timings as per your schedule.
References and Recommendations - Do you know people who have enrolled their child/children in the daycare that you're looking at? Do they recommend it? If you don't know anyone, ask the centre to give you the contact details of a few parents who have enrolled their children. It’s always better to get feedback from other parents who have first-hand experienced.
CCTV Access - Most childcare centres are equipped with cameras to increase the level of child safety. Besides, it allows you to sneak a quick peek at your baby while you're at work.
Curriculum - Gone are the days when childcare facilities were just meant to keep your child engaged with random activities. Nowadays, daycares have a curriculum like that of a school, even for infants.
Plan Long Term - Some daycares are a part of schools that provide education from playschool to senior kg. This assures you that you will not have to go through the trouble of getting your child adjusted to new a school/surrounding later in life.
Terms and Conditions - It’s always advisable to read the fine print so that you are not caught by surprise later.
Sharing Cribs - Most daycares have cribs for infants. Sometimes, these are not specially assigned to babies; they are made to sleep in the same cribs based on their sleep schedules. Check with the centre on crib-sharing, and what do they do to maintain hygiene.
Change in Schedule – You might enrol for a schedule and then would like to change the timing. Check how that can be done and if it will incur additional costs, because the centre will have the availability of caregivers as per the schedule you enrol.
Early Drop/Late Pickup – Most daycares have a provision for an early drop or a late pick up at an additional cost, should you need it.
Child to Caregiver Ratio – There are guidelines for staff/child ratios at childcare centres. Learn a little about this before you enrol your child.
Background Verification of Employees – You are going entrust a stranger with your little one. It is a good idea to ask questions so that your mind is at ease.
Diaper Changing – Check how frequently they change diapers. If not attended in time, dirty diapers can lead to a diaper rash.
Sanitisation Schedule – Most centres get their facilities cleaned at the end of the day, and deep clean over the weekends. Check what schedule the centre follows because your child might fall ill frequently due to lack of proper sanitisation.
Handling Sick Children – You get used to common cold once your baby starts getting exposed to the outside world, and that’s how children build up their immunity eventually. Infants fall sick despite your best efforts. You might be at work when your baby gets a fever or something worse. It is important that the facility takes care of the child without creating panic, until you come to pick your little one. Also, check what is done to quarantine a sick child to ensure others don’t get affected.
Daily Reports - Daycares maintain records of the amount of food eaten, diapers changed, sleep, etc. Check how this is done and how easily can you access this.
This is a list I prepared from my experience. Have you made yours yet?
Disclaimer:The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Your Baby This Week : 17 Month Week 1 Old
” By now your child will be able to climb a flight of stairs, and scoot back down too. Uh-oh, youd think that theres scope for an accident, right? Dont worry, be on guard as your child moves around or create an obstacle course at home with cushions, where he can climb and tumble safely, without getting hurt. That way the stairs wont excite him too much too. “
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Food Play! Fun Foods For your 16 Months Old
Eating time should be fun for all involved. Kids, in particular, love creativity. Try creative presentations with their meals and you'll be amazed at how easily everything goes down. Make fun foods for toddlers to eat and even the pickiest toddler can be swayed!
To develop healthy and fuss-free eating habits in a child, parents need to start early- even as early as from the time they take their first morsel. Making food fun to eat is the first step in developing a love for food in children. Be it at breakfast, lunch or dinner, learn to make mealtime fun-time!
5 Fun Food Ideas for Toddlers
1. Add a Splash of Colour
Kids are drawn to bright colours. The same is the case with food. When making their lunch, dinner or putting together a healthy snack, try playing it up with a splash of colours. If your toddler has already started learning different colours, it’s all the better to use colourful food and flavours to her advantage.
2. Bring Creativity to Food Presentation
If you have a fussy toddler on your hands, it’s time to start using creativity on the way you present and serve her food. To begin with, get a hold of shape-cutters to cut out different forms from fruits and vegetables. Try making smiley faces out of poached eggs or make popsicles out of fresh juice. The more you think up newer ways to serve it up on a creative platter, the more your toddler will want to give it a try.
3. Use Fun Names for Foods
Renaming foods with cute names is another way of making food fun for toddlers. It gives items more appeal and especially attracts kids. Some funny names given to vegetables by researchers at a US Food and Brand Lab include ‘Silly Dilly Green Beans’, ‘Power Punch Broccoli’ and ‘Tiny Tasty Tree Tops’. You could also try associating the names of a particular fruit or vegetable to something that’s beneficial for them. Naming foods influences a child’s selection and her taste for it to a great extent.
4. Serve Up Variety
Serving a variety of fun and healthy foods to toddlers takes the monotony out of meals. Select different types of food that will be enjoyable for your toddler and let each meal be served with a different taste and texture, if possible. If there’s something your child doesn’t like, try serving it with another food of his or her choice.
5. Get Your Toddler Involved in Food Selection
When grocery shopping, let your toddler have the honour of selecting fruits and vegetables of their choice. Allowing them to pick out what they want to eat is going to make your job easier at the dining table. Getting them involved in meal preparations will also ensure they have a hand in what they eat and how they want to eat it.
For toddlers, food becomes fun to eat when there’s some excitement involved. You can’t give a toddler the same type of food day in and day out and expect her to relish it. Apply cute, adorable ideas to foods and see the difference it makes to your child’s appetite. Read more
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Types Of Water – Uses, Pros And Cons
One of the most important elements needed for human survival and sustenance, water is a resource found in different forms. It is important you know all about the types of water so you can segregate between what’s safe and what’s not. It is a key resource for survival, so drinking unsafe water can be detrimental to health.
Our bodies are also made of 70% water, so maintaining that balance is crucial. Most of this water ends up leaving our bodies in the form of sweat and urine, which is why you always need to remain hydrated. Drinking clean water allows your body to carry out various important functions, including aiding in digestion, fighting bacteria, carrying the various nutrients to and from the cells, maintaining the sodium balance and more.
Different Types Of Water
Water is generally distinguished based on consistency, treatment, composition and origin. There are so many different types of water, segregated according to consistency and quality. Here we presenting the most commonly used forms:
1. Tap Water
One of the most common forms of water is tap water. You can get tap water straight from your faucet and, depending on where you are, it may or may not be suitable to drink directly from.
While tap water is not safe for drinking in India, it can still be used for other purposes.
Advantages
Tap water can be used for household purposes and this includes cleaning, gardening, cooking and washing clothes amongst others. Local municipal bodies, however, have regulations where the quality of water must pass before being released for consumption.
Also, tap water is one of the cheapest and most easily available forms of water in the country.
Disadvantages
There are plenty of regulations which keep harmful substances out of water. These can include lead and disinfectants but sometimes, the regulations aren’t enough. This can lead to illnesses and other long-term effects on health. In some cases, there has been the presence of plastic particles in tap water sources across the world.
Public water from the municipality can contain residues of pesticides and aluminium, making it harmful to consume. If you’re planning to use tap water for cooking purposes, then it is always advised to check with your water supplier regarding any safety concerns you might have. It is also advised to get your own water purification system if possible, to ensure that your water is cleansed entirely before you use it to clean food.
2. Mineral Water
Mineral water is another popular form of water that is consumed by people all over the world. This is considered a safe option for consumption as the water is put through different purification methods before it is finally given to the public to consume.
Advantages
The biggest advantage of mineral water is that it comes packed with essential nutrients and minerals that keep your body healthy and fighting fit. These nutrients can include the likes of calcium, magnesium, sulphur and more, which are essential for the day-to-day functioning of the body’s various systems.
Another advantage of mineral water is that is provides your body with the necessary resources with which you’ll be able to keep fit. The added minerals play a role in aiding digestion, allowing you to break down your food much better. A lot of people also prefer the taste of mineral water as it has a small tinge of sweetness to it. It is one of the best types of drinking water available.
Disadvantages
One of the main drawbacks of mineral water is the fact that it costs much more than normal tap water. Tap water is available for free in many households. Also, if you do maintain a balanced and controlled diet, you will be able to get the necessary nutrients that your body requires.
3. Glacier Or Springs
Spring or glacier water is another one among the unique varieties of water available all across the world. It is also considered the purest form of water. Some manufacturers even claim that their water is bottled right at the source. In India, this source is in the form of a glacier or spring and they are found mainly in the northern part of the country – especially the Himalayas.
Advantages
Glacier water is considered to be a pure form of water as it is collected right at the source. This water type is believed to be free of toxins as well as being relatively clean. It also contains the necessary minerals that your body requires, sometimes more than that of mineral water.
Spring water is also easily available in stores across the world, with well-known brands such as Arrowhead and Evian providing water in both small and large quantities, making them easily accessible for those who want to upgrade.
Disadvantages
Price is a major concern for spring or glacier water when compared to tap water and mineral water. It is also important that you check if the source of water is dependable. Some knockoff brands post health risks by adding harmful contaminants within the water.
4. Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is also referred to as soda water or carbonated water as it is made by infusing water with CO2 gas under pressure.
Advantages
Sparkling water tastes completely different from normal water, by giving you a fizzy taste, which is great to have on a hot day. If you dislike artificial sweeteners used in soft drinks, then sparkling water is the best alternative to consume.
You can also find flavoured sparkling water that can be purchased. Most of them throw in health-promoting minerals as well.
Disadvantages
While the minerals present in sparkling water are good, they aren’t enough to satisfy your required input. They are also expensive compared to packaged drinking water, so it is better to have it occasionally.
5. Distilled Water
Distilled water is formed by evaporating normal water and then condensing it back from steam to the liquid state. Most of the compounds in the water tend to dissipate into the air when they are boiled, leaving behind a residue of water that is devoid of any additives.
Advantages
Distilled water is generally used in automobiles to cool engines down as it does not have any added compounds within them. They are also used to top off lead-acid batteries found in trucks and other vehicles.
Disadvantages
Since distilled water does not have any minerals added to it, it does not have any health benefits. It can also be harmful to the body and pulls minerals from wherever it can.
6. Purified Water
Purified water is one of the types of groundwater as this is generally extracted and treated to ensure that it is safe for consumption. The process to make purified water kills off substances such as parasites, fungi and bacteria.
Advantages
Purified water is a great option if any immediate water source tends to be contaminated. There are many countries across the world, which generally purify tap water, making it safe for direct consumption.
Disadvantages
As harmful substances are removed from the water, one of the substances added to aid the process is fluoride. While okay in small quantities, excess of fluoride can cause issues such as tooth decay within the body.
Purchasing purified water or installing systems at home can also be expensive.
7. Alkaline Water
Generally, alkaline water tends to have a higher level of pH compared to tap water and contains negative oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and alkaline minerals.
Advantages
Alkaline water is believed to neutralize the acid within the body and helps slow the ageing process, though this hasn’t been proven yet.
Disadvantage
Drinking alkaline water is safe as it can reduce stomach acidity and kills off any harmful bacteria. However, when consumed in excess, it can cause vomiting and nausea.
8. Well Water
Well water is taken straight from the ground and is a common source of water in many rural areas in the country.
Advantages
Having your own source of fresh water is always a great option and can help you access it whenever you need it.
Disadvantages
As well water comes from the ground, it can mix with bacteria and be harmful to consume directly. If it isn’t put through any purifying methods, it can cause difficulties for your health.
Water comes in many different forms. It is important that you choose a source that is not just safe for consumption but is also suitable for the various activities you have planned.
Also Read:
Health Benefits of Drinking Water in Copper Vessel
Effective Tips for Killing Bacteria in Water Bottles
Amazing Benefits of Drinking Hot Water
References:
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/types-of-water-7-different-types-of-waters-and-their-purposes-1770281
https://www.jainsusa.com/blog/4-types-of-water
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Rejoicing each and every day waiting for your arrival in our incomplete life.
Hello there
It was one and a half month when I first heard sound of my Little's heartbeat which revived my hope that I lost in my previous miscarriage .
With each passing day the nervousness and excitement of meeting my sunshine grew faster and faster.
The third month came I went for NT scan and quadruple test...again nervousness hovourrd in my mind after few days reports were normal..a sighs of relief.
I started some pranayam and breathing exercises followed by walking as daily morning routine ,breakfast included oats ,poha,upma wheat pastas ,bread with peanut butter followed by milk .
Meanwhile I got tetanus injections also iron and calcium tablets were continued added with multivitamin. Syrups. Having reached fourth and fifth month when next ultrasound appointment was taken by husband for fetal well being..
I got to know my baby's position is headdown required for vaginal birth as placenta was posterior and bp weight thyroid was under control chances were high of normal delivery without any complications.
That was the time I started some exercises like squatting ,butterfly and kegal which I googled ,doing household cores and keeping myself busy in activities , reading books , listening peaceful musics more two months passed .
Now eight month entered my due date was on 21st january 2020 my mother came for looking after me as my delivery date was approaching.
My ninth month was the most difficult for me as I had to rush to bathroom very frequently at day it was not a big deal bt nights were really challenging , I couldn't turn sides in bed even getting up was difficult.
On 19th January I got labour pain which I couldn't felt thinking that it is gastric problem I visited nearby hospital at morning, got admitted there and at evening my son was at my arms .
That was the most important day of my life . forgotten my labour pain. Of 7 hours I embraced motherhood. Read more
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
17 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreSwati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Do consult your doctor as soon as you can. It's important to find the real reason because without that, proper medication is not possible.
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
17 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. it's my 5 month n I still didn't went for check up yet not even once is it okay if I go now or?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. You should have started going from the very beginning itself once you get to know you’re pregnant but since you haven’t reached that now if you’re pregnancy has been healthy last five months please get it checked with your doctor also if you need to start with any supplements or diet the doctor would advise you after a ultrasound so please visit your gynaecologist
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. size chart is not correct for age of the baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. generally it is available from Indian academy growth chart download from Google. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
2 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
34 mins ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
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