Year 10
Child Development
Lesson 5 ~
Preparing for the Baby
Lesson Objectives
• During this lesson you will learn about the
range of essential clothing and equipment
needed for a baby.
• During this lesson you will understand
about how important it is to prepare for a
baby.
Choosing equipment
• The parents budget and lifestyle will
influence the choice of equipment.
• It is always important for equipment to be
kept hygienic and for it to be cleaned
regularly.
• New equipment should have the correct
safety labels.
Baby carriers
• Baby slings are strapped to the
body allowing the child to be carried
indoors and out.
• The slings ensure that the baby will
enjoy the close physical contact of
the parent
• They leave the parent/s hands free.
• Care should be taken to adjust
straps correctly.
• They are suitable from birth.
Baby carriers
• Back carriers are suitable for
babies who can sit unaided.
• Especially useful for outdoor
use.
• The frame is made from light
weight metal.
• They can have detachable
bags, canopies or rain shields.
• They are carried on the back.
Prams, pushchairs, etc
Brakes
Comfort
Good suspension
Ease of folding
Sturdiness
Handle height
Storage size
Weight
Ease of adjustment
Tyres and wheels
Cost
Stability
Weather resistance
Style and colour
New or second hand
Safety
Accessories available
Age range
Ease of pushing and
steering
Adjustable seat position
Manoeuvrability
Versatility
Front or rear facing
Town or country use.
Walking reins
• Walking reins should be used
for toddlers
• They assist in control of
energetic toddlers and prevent
them from falling.
• As the child gets older reins
can be replaced by a strap
attached to the child's wrist.
In the car
• Sunshades protect from bright glare of the sun.
• Seat belt adjusters give extra room if needed to
adapt to the car seat.
• Booster cushions should be used on children up
to 11 years old.
• Seat belt cushions stop the seat belt rubbing on
the child body.
• Bottle and food warmers are handy for a long
journey.
• A range of car seats are available for different
ages of children
Task!
• What sort of baby carrier would be useful if you
wanted to keep your hands free whilst carrying a
three month old baby?
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a
baby carrier?
• What factors should be taken into consideration
whilst choosing a new born baby pram?
• Explain when and how walking reins can be
used!
Movement exercise and play
• Bouncing cradle are suitable for babies
up to six months old.
• They are easily transported around the
home.
• Toys can be attached on to the front of
the bouncing cradle.
• They should only be used for short
periods of time
• They should always be placed on the
floor.
• Babies should never be left unattended in
them.
Movement exercise and play
• Baby bouncer attaches to a door
way or a stand.
• Allows the baby to move their arms
and legs freely
• They can be used from
approximately four months until the
baby begins to walk.
• Babies should never be left
unattended in the baby bouncer.
Movement exercise and play
• Play pens are available in different
shapes and sizes.
• Babies can see out of them so they
will usually play happily.
• Some babies dislike them because
their freedom is restricted.
• Babies do not like to be left alone for
more than a few minutes so they
should not be left unattended for long
periods of time in a play pen.
Feeding time
• Highchairs can be used from about six
months old.
• They should be stable
• Have fitted safety harness
• Be easy to clean
• Have an adjustable tray with rounded
corners.
• Some highchairs fold flat to save space.
• Some can be attached to normal table or
chair.
Bedtime
• Cots can be used from birth.
• Babies should be placed in the feet to foot position to
prevent SID.
• Bars should be 45mm-65mm apart.
• Should have child proof safety catches.
• Some cots have detachable sides for easy access.
• Some cots may convert in t o a child’s bed as the child
grows.
• Adjustable mattress height avoids unnecessary bending.
• If a child can crawl out of the cot they should be put into
a normal bed with safety sides.
• Moses baskets, carry cots and swinging cribs are only
useful for a few months.
Bedtime
• Travel cots are useful when
visiting people or for holidays.
• They are made from light weight
metal and fabric
• They fold to a compact size.
• Some can also be used as a
play pen.
Bedtime
• Pillows should not be used
• Duvets, cots quilts and baby nests should not be
used under 12 months old as they can lead to
over heating
• Blankets are best made from cellular, acrylic
material which is warm and light weight.
• Sheets should be cotton, which is cool in the
summer and warm in the winter
• All bedding should be washed regularly
• Cot mattresses should fit snugly in the cot with no
gaps where the baby could become trapped.
• Some mattresses have ventilation holes at the
head end.
• Whilst research continues into the link between
SIDS and used mattresses some experts say that
a new mattress should be purchased with every
new baby.
Baby monitors
• These maintain contact between the
parent and the child when they are not
in the same place.
• Some electrical or battery operated
transmitters and receivers can check
the room temperatures
• Some can sound an alarm to alert the
parent if the baby’s breathing stops.
• Special TV monitors can also enable
the parent to see the child.
Task!
• Write an advice sheet for a new parent
about buying a cot or any other equipment
relating to keeping the baby safe at
bedtime and play time.
• For example, look at all the safety aspects you
need to consider before buying a cot and it’s
bedding. You could also look into cost, hygiene,
suitability and environmental issues.
Finish off sheet for homework
Clothes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Newborn baby clothes (layette) should be……
Lightweight
Soft
Non irritant
Non flammable
Appropriate for the weather
Easy to put on and remove
Easy to wash/dry/iron
Newborn clothes shouldn’t have ribbons on
them or open weave which may trap fingers.
Clothes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Older children’s clothes should be…….
Suitable for the weather conditions
Hard wearing
Easy to wash/dry/iron
Fastened with Velcro or large buttons
Elasticated waist
Big enough to allow for growth and movement
Brightly coloured/could be chosen by the child.
Shoes
• ‘Padders’ (pre-walkers) protect babies feet
when they’re crawling.
• They don’t need shoes until they are walking.
• Feet should be measured regularly by trained
fitters and when buying shoes, to make sure that
the shoes fit well.
• Features of a good children’s shoe are that
they’re lightweight, have no inside seams,
have a low heel, flexible slip-resistant soles,
adjustable fastening, and growing room.
Nappies
• Nappies can be disposable or reusable. Both
types are available in a wide range of sizes.
• Over a period of time reusable nappies are
cheaper even when you take into consideration
of washing them every day.
• Traditional terry towelling nappies have to be
folded and pinned, more modern nappies are
shaped to fit and are fastened using Velcro.
• Disposable nappies are convenient, absorbent,
east to use and store but are not
environmentally friendly, because they are not
bio-degradable
Terry Towelling Nappies
• Use the internet to find out how terry
towelling nappies are put on to a baby.
Write a step by step instruction guide, add
images to help you explain.