Child Development and Care – JSS3 Home Economics Lesson Note (First Term)

Care of the baby is the work of keeping a baby healthy, clean, well fed and protected, and it covers immunisation, feeding, clothing and health care.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. List the four areas of care of the baby.
2. State the reasons for clothing the baby.
3. Name the two methods of feeding a baby.
4. State the advantages of breastfeeding and the disadvantages of artificial feeding.
5. List the things needed for a baby’s bath and the steps in bathing a baby.
6. State the immunisations given to a baby at different stages.

What does care of the baby include?

Care of the baby includes four areas: immunisation, feeding, clothing and health care.

• Immunisation: giving vaccines so that the baby is protected against killer diseases.
• Feeding: giving the baby the right food, first by breast milk or artificial milk.
• Clothing: dressing the baby in suitable clothes for protection and comfort.
• Health care: keeping the baby clean, bathing the baby and taking the baby to the clinic.

Why do we clothe the baby?

We clothe a baby for protection, beauty and comfort.

• Protection: clothes guard the baby against cold, heat, insects and dirt.
• Beauty: clothes make the baby look neat and attractive.
• Comfort: clothes keep the baby warm and at ease.

What makes good clothing for a baby?

• Soft material: it does not irritate the baby’s delicate skin.
• Loose fit: it lets the baby move freely.
• Easy to wash: baby clothes get dirty often.
• Easy to put on and remove: this saves time when changing the baby.

What are the methods of feeding a baby?

There are two methods of feeding a baby: natural feeding and artificial feeding.

1. Natural feeding: the baby is fed with breast milk.
2. Artificial feeding: the baby is fed with processed animal milk.

What is natural feeding?

Natural feeding is feeding the baby with breast milk, and it is the natural way of feeding a baby.

• Breastfeeding: the process of putting the baby to the mother’s breast to suck milk.
• Early months: in the first few months of life the baby takes breast milk.
• Best food: breast milk is the best food for babies, so exclusive breastfeeding is always encouraged.

What are the advantages of breastfeeding?

• Protection: breast milk contains antibodies that protect the child against diseases and infection.
• Easy digestion: it is easily digested and absorbed by the baby’s body.
• Low cost: it is less expensive than artificial feeding.
• No preparation: it does not require any elaborate preparation.
• Clean: it is sterile and free from diseases and germs.
• Right temperature: it is produced at the right temperature.
• Complete food: it contains almost all the nutrients a baby needs.
• Natural immunity: it gives the baby natural immunity.
• Bonding: it brings mother and baby very close, so it promotes love and affection in both.
• Mother’s recovery: it helps the mother’s womb to return to its normal position.

What are colostrum and meconium?

• Colostrum: the milk produced in the first few days after childbirth.
• Meconium: the baby’s first sticky stool.
• Link: colostrum helps to clear out the meconium.

What is artificial or bottle feeding?

Artificial feeding is feeding the baby with processed animal milk instead of breast milk.

• Feeding tools: a cup and spoon can be used to feed the baby with this milk.
• Bottle: a feeding bottle may also be used, so the method is also called bottle feeding.

What are the disadvantages of artificial feeding?

• Cost: it is expensive.
• Contamination: baby milk can easily be contaminated.
• Constipation: it is common with artificially fed babies.
• Preparation: it requires elaborate preparation and sterilisation of eating utensils.
• Poorer quality: it is not as rich as breast milk.

How does breastfeeding compare with artificial feeding?

How do we bathe the baby?

A baby is bathed to keep the delicate and tender skin clean, and babies should be bathed at least twice daily.

• Delicate skin: a baby should not be allowed to stay dirty.
• Gentle handling: use soft towels and a soft sponge.

What things are needed for a baby’s bath?

• Bathtub: made of plastic or rubber.
• Large soft towel: big enough to cover the baby.
• Small soft towel: for drying the baby.
• Face towel (or flannel): for washing the face.
• Soft sponge: for washing the body.
• Comb and soft brush: for the baby’s hair.
• Nappies (Pampers): for the baby after the bath.
• Clean clothes: for dressing the baby after the bath.

What are the steps in bathing a baby?

1. Gather all the items needed and place them within reach.
2. Pour warm water into the bathtub and test that it is not too hot.
3. Wash the baby’s face with the clean face towel.
4. Wash the body gently with the soft sponge and baby soap.
5. Rinse the baby well with clean water.
6. Lift the baby out and wrap him or her in the large soft towel.
7. Dry the baby gently with the small soft towel.
8. Put on the nappy and clean clothes, then comb the hair.

Why is immunisation important?

Immunisation is giving a baby vaccines so that the body can fight certain serious diseases.

• Protection: it prevents diseases such as polio, measles and tuberculosis.
• Where: babies are immunised at health centres and clinics.
• Record: the mother keeps the child’s immunisation card.

What immunisations does a baby receive at different stages?

Evaluation

1. Mention the items needed for a baby’s bath.
2. State the importance of clothing the baby.
3. Name the two methods of feeding a baby.
4. State four advantages of breastfeeding.
5. State three disadvantages of artificial feeding.

Assignment

State the various immunisations that must be given to a baby at different developmental stages.