Teen Pregnancy:
The care of your infant during pregnancy, before birth, and after, is crucial. Without the proper care during your pregnancy your baby will not be able to develop correctly, which could potentially impair them for the rest of their life. Children who had a mother who drank while pregnant can suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can cause deformities, learning disabilities, and heart defects. Also, the care your baby gets after birth is also extremely important. Babies who get adequate attention, and nurturing, do quite well later in life. They cognitively develop better than infants whos needs are not met. An example of this would be a parent who never tends to their baby when they are crying. This baby is abandoned, or not allowed to bond with their parents. These babies have multiple issues later in life attaching with others. The steps you take today will affect your child their rest of their life.
In Utero Care:
There are many do's and don'ts for pregnant women, here are a few of the most important.
After Birth Care:
Women must work hard throughout their pregnancy to make sure they are healthy, and their child as well. However, caring for your child doesn't end there.
- According to the Family and Youth Services Bureau, 3 out of every 10 girls will become pregnant, at least once, before age 20.
- Every year there are about 400,000 teen births, according to FYSB.
The care of your infant during pregnancy, before birth, and after, is crucial. Without the proper care during your pregnancy your baby will not be able to develop correctly, which could potentially impair them for the rest of their life. Children who had a mother who drank while pregnant can suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can cause deformities, learning disabilities, and heart defects. Also, the care your baby gets after birth is also extremely important. Babies who get adequate attention, and nurturing, do quite well later in life. They cognitively develop better than infants whos needs are not met. An example of this would be a parent who never tends to their baby when they are crying. This baby is abandoned, or not allowed to bond with their parents. These babies have multiple issues later in life attaching with others. The steps you take today will affect your child their rest of their life.
In Utero Care:
There are many do's and don'ts for pregnant women, here are a few of the most important.
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol. This can cause many severe effects in your baby, such as spontaneous abortion, low birth rate, FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), and death.
- Do take pre-natal vitamins. This will not only health the mother stay healthy, but the baby as well.
- Don't take drugs, even over the counter, unless specifically prescribed by a doctor.
- Do drink plenty of water.
After Birth Care:
Women must work hard throughout their pregnancy to make sure they are healthy, and their child as well. However, caring for your child doesn't end there.
- Don't put a child under 12 months old to sleep anywhere else BUT THE CRIB! They should always be put in their crib on their backs. Inside the crib there should be a fitted sheet on the mat, and that is it. Studies have shown that the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) greatly decreases with items, such as blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, out of the crib.
- Do breast feed. If you are having issues contact a lactation consultant.
- Don't always feel you must try to calm your baby until they stop crying. If you begin to become frustrated trying to calm your crying baby, and feel you may lose your top, lay them in their crib, and leave the room. No baby has ever been harmed from crying in their safe crib.
- Do tummy time. Putting your baby on their back helps strengthen muscles in their body, helps them learn to control their head and neck, and also decreases chances of a misshapen head.