Caring for You and Your Baby

8/6/2019 Caring for You and Your Baby

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Caringfor you and your baby


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Welcome...Caring For You and Your Babyis a practical guide for new mothers with babies from infancy

through to toddler age. It provides information that can help keep you and your baby happy

and healthy. This guide was developed by public health experts with a focus on raising healthy

babies and protecting them from injury and illness.

Babies and young children have unique needs. For example, they are more likely to get

infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing and they have not yet

learned about hygiene.

Caring For You and Your Babycovers these basic topics:

A healthy diet and lifestyle, which will help the whole family combat infections and feel

good.

Breastfeeding, which helps babies get the best nutrition and their mothers antibodies

while their immune system develops.

Immunizations, which protect your baby from serious and sometimes fatal diseases,

including polio, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis. Cleaning and hygiene, including diapering, bathing, and laundry, to help prevent the

spread of disease-causing germs.

Household safety, with a focus on your babys environment.

Caring For You and Your Babyspeaks directly to new moms but theres a lot of useful

information here for your partner and everyone who is helping out during this exciting time.

This guide also includes Internet references and suggestions about where you can get more

details on certain subjects

...so, please read on!


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Table of Contents

A Healthy Mom

Rest and Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Nutrition and Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Your Feelings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Your Personal Hygiene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Oral Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Smoking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Your Healthy Baby

Bath Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Changing a Diaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Babys Laundry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Feeding Your Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Introducing Solid Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Food Allergies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Babys Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Your Healthy Home

Setting Up the Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Safe Sleeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Where to Change Diapers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Safe Toys and Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Germs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Healthy Food, Clean Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

In the Bathroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Floors and Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Animals and Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Beyond the Home

Car Safety: Travels With Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Child Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Child Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Preparing for Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Emergency Contact Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Caring for You and Your Baby | 3


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A Healthy Mom

Taking care of your new baby is easiest when youre feeling your best. Itsimportant to take care of your own health and well-being, as well as your

babys. Here are some tips for rest, exercise, and healthy eating.

Rest and Exercise

All new parents soon learn that babies have different internal clocks than adults. Most

newborns wake up about every three hours and need to be fed, changed, and comforted.

It is easy for you to become overtired. While a solid eight hours of sleep may not be possible

for the next few months, here are some ways you can get more rest now.

Tips for Getting More Rest

In the first few weeks, focus on feeding and caring for the baby and taking care of

yourself. Ask for support from your family and friendsand dont be shy about telling

them that you need help.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. This may be only a few

minutes of rest at a time, but these minutes can

add up during the day.

Save steps and time. Have your babys bed

near yours for feedings at night.

Dont feel that you must entertain guests.

Many new parents enjoy visits from friends

and family, but new mothers should not

have to play hostess. Feel free to excuse

yourself for a nap or to feed your baby.

If you are breastfeeding, you may be able to pump

milk and have your partner do some of the feedings at

night so you can sleep. After the first two to three weeks,

introduce a bottle to breastfed babies for an occasional nighttime feeding.

4 | Canadian Public Health Association


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Continuing to Exercise

Sleepless nights and changes in your routine due

to the baby will happen, and can make you

feel tired and tearful. In addition to trying toget enough sleep, keeping active can help.

Try to make time for exercise. Even 10

minutes a day will help you feel more

relaxed and able to cope.

At the same time, dont do too much too

soon.

Exercise outdoors if you can. For example, go for a

walk with your baby. A breath of fresh air can make you

feel great.

Begin postpartum exercises, as advised by your health care provider.

Nutrition and Diet

Your body went through a lot of changes during pregnancy

and childbirth. A healthy diet is one of the best ways

to promote your recovery.

The weight gained in pregnancy helps build

energy reserves for your recovery and for

breastfeeding. After delivery, good nutrition

helps you to stay healthy, active, and feeling your

best. Whether you breastfeed or formula feed,

you need to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Canadas Food Guide

Canadas Food Guide explains the amount and types of food you need, as well as the

importance of physical activity in your day. Following Canadas Food Guide will help you to

make good choices from four food groups:

vegetables and fruit

grain products

milk and alternatives

meat and alternatives.



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The Food Guides tips will help you to:

reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and

osteoporosis

contribute to your overall health and vitality

meet your needs for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Losing Weight

Many new mothers want to lose their pregnancy weight quickly, but extreme dieting and

rapid weight loss can be hazardous to your healthand to your babys health, if you are

breastfeeding.

It can take several months to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy. Try cutting

out high-fat snacks and focusing on a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits,

proteins, and whole grains. Use Canadas Food Guide to help you create a sensible plan.

Losing 1 to 2 pounds per week for the first 6 months (or until you reach your desired

weight) is safe for both you and baby.

Vitamins and Nutrition after Pregnancy

Some women develop anemia during pregnancy and after childbirth. Anemia is a condition

in which the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around

the body to all the tissues and organs. See your health care provider to diagnose and advise

you about anemia.

Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired, weak, dizzy, short of breath, or having

headaches.

You need to eat foods with iron, protein, and other nutrients if your body is to produce

healthy blood.

You can help prevent anemia by eating more iron-rich foods, such as green leafy

vegetables, red meat, nuts, fortified cereals, or by taking iron supplements if

recommended by your health care provider.

Vitamin C helps your body to absorb the iron in foods. One way to add vitamin C to

your meals is to drink a glass of orange juice.



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Breastfeeding

Your breast milk is natures perfect recipe for your

babys growth and development.

Eat many different kinds of foods. Avoid foods with added fat, sugar, salt, and

chemicals.

Eat when you are hungry and stop when

you feel full.

Water, milk, and fruit juices are good choices

when you are thirsty.

Folate is a vitamin found in dark green vegetables,

citrus fruit, and whole grains. Ask your health care

provider if you need extra folate while breastfeeding.

Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea,cola, and chocolate.

Stay away from nicotine and other poisons. If you cannot quit smoking, try not to

smoke at least an hour before the next feeding. Breast milk is still a better choice than

formula for your baby, even if you smoke.

Talk to your health care provider if you are taking any medicine. This includes medicines

that you can buy without a prescription.

To Learn More...

Public Health Agency Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

La Leche League Canada: www.lllc.ca



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Your Feelings

Adjusting to life with a new baby can be stressful. Daily routines will change for you, your

partner, and the rest of the household. This is an important time of social and emotional

adjustment.

Your body also needs time to rest and recover from pregnancy and childbirth. In the first few

weeks after giving birth, you may feel that you are on an emotional roller coasterhappy

and elated one minute, anxious, irritable, or exhausted the next.

Many things that can affect your emotional well-being

at this time, including:

lack of sleep

changes in daily routines

changing roles at home and work

changes in your relationship with your

intimate partner

changes in self-image

anxiety about parenting a newborn

changes in your financial situation

hormonal changes.

Many new moms will experience the baby blues. This is a temporary condition, which goes

away on its own within a few weeks. It should not be confused with postpartum depression,which is serious and requires prompt medical attention.

Understanding the Baby Blues

New mothers commonly start to feel the baby blues within 3 to 5 days after giving

birth. Due in part to hormonal changes, you may experience sleeplessness, sadness,

mood swings, crying, headaches, poor concentration, and confusion. These symptoms

can come and go for a few weeks and usually disappear on their own.

Extra support and reassurance from the people around you can help you get through this

period. Talking about your feelings with your family, friends, and health professionalsalso helps.



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Postpartum Depression

Postpartum (or post-natal) depression affects about 10% to 20% of mothers. It usually

begins between 2 weeks and 6 months after giving birth, but in some cases it begins as

much as a year later. Common symptoms of postpartum depression are uncontrollable crying and feeling

worthless, guilty, unable to cope, or worried about being able to love the baby.

Postpartum depression symptoms occur every day for most or all of the day, and last two

weeks or more. Many women with postpartum depression try to hide their feelings and

withdraw from their family and friends.

Postpartum depression requires immediate medical attention. If it is not treated, it can

have a serious impact on both the mother and baby.

If you think you have postpartum depression, talk to your partner, a family member,

friend, or a member of your health care team. It is important to get help. With

treatment, most women recover within a year. A family history of depression and emotional or physical stress may increase the risk of

postpartum depression.

Symptoms of postpartum depression may include:

feeling restless or irritable

feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed

crying a lot

having no energy

eating too little or too much

sleeping too little or too much

having trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions

feeling worthless and guilty

losing interest and pleasure in things you used to enjoy

withdrawing from friends and family

having headaches, chest pains, a racing heartbeat, or fast, shallow breathing

feeling like you dont care about the baby

wanting to hurt the baby or yourself.

Treatment for Postpartum DepressionPostpartum depression requires treatment from a health professional. This usually involves:

medication (many antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding)

talk therapy with a doctor, nurse, or social worker.

Postpartum depression is not the same as baby blues. It needs to be treated by a health

professional.



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Coping with Changes and Challenges

Ask for Help

Friends and family members often want to help with new

babies. Ask for help with housekeeping and cooking. Many people feel honoured to be asked to care for the

baby for short periods of time. Let adults you trust

rock or walk the baby, give a feeding, or even change

a diaper. Dont feel you have to do it all yourself.

Have someone help with feedings at night. If you are

breastfeeding, you may be able to pump milk and have

your partner do some feedings so you can sleep.

Physical Activity

Exercising as little as 10 minutes a day can make you feel better. Try to make exercisepart of your daily routine. It can be as simple as taking the baby for a walk. Ask your

health care provider about the type of exercise thats best for you.

Stress Management

Stress can make depression worse. Can you remove any sources of stress in your life, even

for a little while?

Give yourself a break! Dont put pressure on yourself by trying to keep everything

perfect. Do what you can and leave the rest.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Try to go to bed and get up around the same time every day and develop relaxing

bedtime rituals, such as reading or having a warm bath.

Choose healthy foods and a well-balanced diet. Eating regular meals can help reduce

depression.

Spend time with people. Dont isolate yourself. Talk to other mothers and consider

joining a support group.

Make time for yourself and for activities you enjoy, even if you dont feel like making the

effort.

To Learn More...

Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca



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How to Wash

Remove all rings and wet your hands with warm running water.

Apply soap and rub your hands together vigorously to make a lather.

Continue to wash for at least 20 seconds (as long as it takes to sing your ABCs). Makesure to scrub between your fingers, under the nails, the back of hands, and your wrists.

Wash your hands longer, as needed, to get rid of all dirt you can see on your hands.

Rinse your hands well under running water and use a clean towel or your sleeve to turn

off the taps.

Dry your hands completely with a paper towel, hand dryer, or clean towel. Replace hand

towels with clean ones often.

When Soap and Water Are Not

Available

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (gels or wipes)

are an excellent choice when soap and water

are not available.

Use the gel or wipes as directed on the

product label.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers work well,

unless you have a lot of dirt or grease on

your hands.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used

by children over one-year-old while you

carefully supervise. Do not allow children to

swallow the sanitizer or to touch their

mouth, eyes, or nose before the alcohol has

evaporated from their hands.

More Handwashing Tips

Hand lotion can help prevent chapped skin. When using lotions, avoid touching the

spout of the container, as this can spread germs to the lotion inside the container.

Consider giving everyone in your home their own hand towel to use during cold and flu

season.

To help a young child with handwashing, hold the baby so that his or her hands can

hang freely under the warm running water. When you finish helping the child, wash

your own hands.


Your Personal Care

Affects Your Baby

Clean hands help prevent germs

from passing between you and your

baby. Always clean your hands

before and after handling the baby

but especially at these times:

before nursing/feeding

before holding or rocking

before dressing

after diapering


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To Learn More

Lysol Canada: www.lysol.ca

Canadian Public Health Association: www.cpha.ca

Oral Care

Good oral care is essential to your overall health.

Follow these guidelines to keep your teeth and

gums healthy.

Why Oral Care Matters

Any infection in your mouth, including

cavities and gum disease, affects the health of

your whole body.

The more unfilled cavities you have, the more cavity-

causing germs you have.

Cavity-causing germs can be passed to your baby by daily contact, such as sharing food

or letting your baby put his or her fingers in your mouth.

Consult your doctor or dentist to learn more about how oral care for you and your babycan help improve your health.

Steps for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Floss daily.

Limit the number of times you eat sweet or starchy snacks.

See your dentist regularly.

To Learn More

Canadian Dental Association: www.cda-adc.ca



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Smoking

The harmful effects of tobacco are not limited to the person

who smokes. Using tobacco during pregnancy increases the

risk of problems such as low birth weight, still births,spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and sudden infant

death syndrome (SIDS). Low-birth-weight babies are at risk

for developmental delays and learning problems at school, and

serious health problems throughout their lives.

However, even if you cannot stop smoking, breastfeeding is still the best choice for your

baby. Try not to smoke an hour or two before nursing. And never expose your baby to

second-hand smoke.

Second-hand Smoke

Second-hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a toxic

mixture of over 4,000 chemical compounds, 50 of which are associated with or known

to cause cancer.

Second-hand smoke has harmful effects on everyone but especially babies and children.

They are more vulnerable than adults because their lungs and immune systems are still

developing and they have a faster breathing rate. Be aware, too, that babies and children

cannot usually move move away from people who are smoking around them.

Tobacco smoke can trigger colds, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, pneumonia, and

breathing problems in babies and children. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke can

develop painful ear infections and some even die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

(SIDS).

If you or others in your household cannot stop smoking, restrict your smoking to the

outdoors. Opening a window, smoking in another room, or smoking in the house when

children are not present will not eliminate the risks.

Some provinces have banned smoking in a car or truck where children are present.

To Learn More

Health Canada: www.GoSmokefree.ca

Or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)

TTY/TDD: 1 800 465-7735



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Your Healthy Baby

Bath Time

Bath time can be fun for both you and your baby.Its a great opportunity to bond and interact

with each other. Your baby will enjoy your

gentle touch and a chance to splash and

play.

A little planning can simplify bath time for

you. Getting everything you need ready and

in one place before you get your baby in

place is a good way to start.

If you give your baby a bath before (rather than

after) feeding, this can help prevent spitting up during

the bath.

Babies do not need to be bathed every day. Bathing too often can cause your babys skin

to dry out. In between baths, clean your babys face after each feeding, and clean the

diaper area after every changing.

Getting Ready for the Bath

Make sure the room is warm (about 24 C or 75 F). Babies lose heat from their bodies

very quickly.

NEVER leave the baby alone in the bath or on a changing table. If youve forgotten

something, take the baby with you to get it!

Check the temperature of the water before putting the baby in the bath. The water

should feel warm but not hot on the inside of your wrist or elbow.

Be sure to clean and disinfect the tub after each bath.

Sponge Baths

Give the baby a sponge bath until the stump of the umbilical cord has healed.

Give a sponge bath to baby boys who have a circumcision that has not yet healed.

Sponge baths can be less stressful for parents than a tub bath, because it is easier to hold the

baby without worrying about slippery bathwater. Here are some tips for giving a sponge

bath:

Keep your baby wrapped in a towel, and uncover one area at a time to sponge it.



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Start from the top and work down, cleaning the diaper area last.

Holding the babys head, use a fresh cotton ball or square moistened with water for each

eye. Wipe gently from the inside corner of the eye out.

Be careful with the soft spot on the babys head, but dont be afraid to touch it.

Use a soft washcloth and plain, warm water

to gently wipe your babys entire face. Pay

attention to the skin behind the ears and to

creases in the neck, which can easily be

overlooked.

Clean the outside of the babys nostrils and

ears by gently wiping with a damp

washcloth. Be careful not to drip water into

the babys nose or ears and do not use

cotton swabs. Gently pat dry with a softtowel before moving on.

Unwrap and remove the babys diaper. Use a mild, moisturizing soap only if your baby is

smelly or dirty. Be sure to rinse well.

Wet your hand or a washcloth and wash the rest of your babys body

To clean the genital area, always wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria

from the bowel.

Rinse and gently pat dry. The best way to avoid rashes is to gently dry the folds of your

babys skin with a soft towel after cleaning.

Cotton swabs, powders, and lotions are not recommended.

Shampooing

In general, shampoo your babys hair once or twice a week. If giving a tub bath, wash

your babys hair last. A wet head loses body heat quickly.

Hold your baby at your side in a towel, supporting the head with your hand. With the

babys head over a basin, use your free hand to wet the babys hair, then lather with a very

small amount of mild soap or shampoo. Rinse completely and rub dry.

Cradle Cap Waxy scales or greasy skin with flaky white or yellow scales on a babys scalp are called

cradle cap. This is a common condition in newborns. Cradle cap is not harmful and it

usually goes away on its own in a few months.

If your baby has cradle cap, you can shampoo more often. Rub a small amount of non-

perfumed oil, such as mineral oil, into the babys scalp before shampooing. Rub gently to

loosen the scales, then shampoo as described above.


Pay special attention to the stump of

the umbilical cord as it heals.

Keep the skin around the cord

clean and dry.

Keep the diaper folded under

the cord to allow it to dry.

Clean the cord area with water if

it becomes soiled.


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Tub Baths: When Is Baby Ready?

Sponge-bathe your baby until the stump of the umbilical cord and the circumcision have

healed.

When baby is ready, you can use a plastic tub or basin in the sink or bathtub, or line aclean kitchen or bathroom sink with a towel or rubber mat.

Babies are not ready for the big bathtub until they are able to hold their heads up and

keep their backs straight.

Bath-Time Safety

Gather all your supplies, including a clean towel, diaper, and fresh clothes.

Fill the tub or basin with a few inches of warm water. Always test the water temperature

yourself before putting the baby in.

Carefully watch babies and young children in the bath at all times. Always keep themwithin arms reach. And if the phone rings during bath timeignore it!

Put a non-slip rubber mat on the bottom of the tub.

Health Canada recommends that you NOT use baby bath seats. Because they give adults

a false sense of security, bath seats can lead to drowning.

Cover the bathroom floor with non-slip rugs.

For older children, never fill the bath more than waist-high (in the sitting position).

Take care with the taps to prevent bumps and burns.

Clean and disinfect the tub after every bath.

Bath-time Supplies

mild soap

clean washcloths

diaper and diapering supplies

large soft towels

cotton balls

a change of clothing

a pad or cloth diaper to lay the baby on after the bath.

For More Information...

Invest In Kids: www.investinkids.ca



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Changing a Diaper

As a new mother, feeding and changing can seem to

take up most of your time. Its not your

imagination: babies may use as many as 10diapers a day. Changing a diaper may seem

complicated at first, but all you need is a little

practice, and youll be getting plenty of that!

General Guidelines

Before you begin, gather your supplies within easy reach:

a clean diaper

fasteners (if needed)

cotton balls (for newborns or babies with sensitive skin) a clean washcloth or diaper wipes (for older babies who arent sensitive to wipes)

an extra washcloth for patting baby dry after wiping

diaper ointment (if needed for rashes)

changing pad or a spare cloth diaper to place under your baby.

Optional supplies:

a spare diaper to place over your little boys penis

sanitizing wipes or a disinfectant spray to clean and sanitize the changing surface after

each use.

Babies should never be left alone when you are changing a diaper, even for a second.

Since a baby who has something to focus on will wiggle and squirm less, give the baby

something to look at while being changedsuch as an unbreakable mirror or a colourful

picture. Later on, when baby is able to grasp objects, keep favourite toys close at hand.

Once you are ready, unfasten the soiled diaper and hold your babys legs up by grasping both

ankles with one hand. Remove the soiled diaper and set it aside, out of babys reach.

Clean the baby completely. (See Tips for Proper Wiping, below.) For boys, its a good idea to

place a clean diaper over the penis while you change the diaper. Exposure to air often causes

baby boys to peeon you, the walls, or anything else within range. When you have cleaned

the baby, place the penis in a downward position before fastening the clean diaper. This will

help prevent leaks at the waistline.



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If your babys umbilical cord stump has not fallen off yet, fold down the waistline of the

diaper to keep that area dry.

Tips for Proper Wiping Using cotton balls, a wet washcloth, or baby wipes, gently wipe your baby clean from the

front to the back. Never wipe from back to front, especially on girls, or you could spread

bacteria and cause a urinary tract infection.

You may want to lift the babys legs so you can see and reach all areas. Dont forget the

creases in the thighs and buttocks.

Once youve finished wiping, pat your baby dry with a clean, dry washcloth.

Apply lotions or creams only on buttocks or upper thighs and not on the genitals, unless

your health care provider has told you it is okay to do so.

If you find any marks around your babys legs or waist, the diaper was too tight.

Disposable wipes, disposable diapers, laundry soap, bleach, and fabric softener that you

use to launder cloth diapers can irritate your babys skin.

Completely clean and disinfect the changing surface with a sanitizing wipe or

disinfectant spray.

Always wash your hands well after changing your babys diaper to prevent the spread of

germs.

Odour Control Tip

To neutralize odours from used diapers, sprinkle baking soda on them in the diaper pail.

Disposable Diapers

Open the diaper and slide it under your baby while gently lifting the legs and feet. Pull

the diaper up between babys legs, making sure its on straight, so it will wrap evenly

around babys hips. The back part with the adhesive strips should be about level with the

babys belly button.

Raise the front part of the diaper the rest of the way up between your babys legs, and

onto his or her belly.

Next, open the adhesive tabs, place them over the front of the diaper, and press themfirmly in place. Be careful not to let the tape stick to your babys skin.

For a snug fit, fasten the side closest to you first. Then roll your baby gently toward

you to tighten and fasten the other side.

Try to keep the overlap of front and back as neat as possible, so the diaper will hug

babys waist comfortably.



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Dispose of stool in the toilet, and then throw the diaper in the trash.

Empty the garbage regularly (about once a day). This reduces smell and also prevents the

growth of bacteria.

Cloth Diapers

There are many kinds of cloth diapers, including all-in-ones (which include the cover),

pre-folded, fitted, or flatwith or without fasteners, Velcro, or snaps.

New diapers and covers need to be laundered at least once before using them. Follow the

manufacturers directions.

Cloth diapers are less expensive than disposables in the long-run, especially if you

launder them yourself.

If you hire a diaper service to pick up your dirty diapers and drop off clean ones once a

week, this becomes much less expensive per child when you have two or more in diapers.

If the cloth diapers you use do not have snaps or Velcro fasteners attached, you can use

diaper tape or oversized safety pins with plastic heads. If you decide to use pins, keep

your hand between the pin and your babys skin to prevent pricking.

Wet diapers can be tossed right into the diaper pail, but soiled diapers should be emptied

into the toilet first.

Sprinkle the diapers in the pail with baking soda for odour control and keep the pail

covered.

Cleaning Cloth Diapers

Always wash diapers separately from other laundry.

Pre-soak heavily soiled cloth diapers and use hot water to launder them. Use a mild

detergent and do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets.

To Learn More

KidsHealth: www.kidshealth.org



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Babys Laundry

When babies arrive, they bring joyand lots of

laundry, too! Always check the care label on baby

clothes. Here are some other suggestions forkeeping babys clothes clean.

Laundry Products

Use a detergent that is colour and fragrance

free.

Wash cloth diapers separately.

Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets. These may

irritate babys skin and can lessen the flame-retardant qualities of pyjamas and other

clothing. Pre-soak stains.

Stubborn Stains

Follow these guidelines unless the care label says otherwise.

Scrape off as much of the dirt or food as you can, and soak the stain in cold water as

soon as possible.

Fill the washer with cold water and allow the clothing to agitate while the stain is fresh.

Never soak stains in hot water. This can set the stain into the fabric, making it more

difficult to remove. Dont put clothing in the dryer before you are sure the stain is gone. . If needed, soak the stained fabric in cold water with detergent for 30 minutes or longer.

If the stain has dried, soak the item in cold

water and detergent for several hours.

Wash in warm water and rinse. If the

stain remains, soak another 30 minutes

and rewash.

If you need to use bleach, be sure to

rewash, since bleach may irritate a

babys skin.

Remember: dont put the item in the

dryer until the stain is completely gone.


Tip: Safe Clothing for

Babies

Avoid cords and strings, loose

buttons, zipper pulls, and ponchos.

These can cause choking or

strangulation.


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Feeding Your Baby

Nutrition and Your Baby

Consult with your health care provider before giving your baby vitamin and nutritional

supplements.

Breastfed Babies

Breast is best! This special blend of nutrients nourishes your baby

and provides a unique balance of fats, vitamins,

minerals, sugars, and proteins. The breast milk

you produce helps your baby to fight infection

and disease. These benefits last your childs

lifetime and are particularly important

during those vulnerable first weeks of life. Health Canada recommends that babies

who are breastfed receive a daily supplement

of 400 IU of vitamin D until 1 year of age or

until you stop breastfeeding. Formula-fed

babies get the vitamin D they need through

regular feedings. After 1 year, all children should

consume 200 IU of vitamin D daily through their diets.

Alternatives to Breast Milk

Health Canada advises that commercial formulas are the most acceptable alternative to

breast milk until 9 to 12 months of age. The formula should be cows milk-based and

iron fortified.

Pasteurized whole cows milk is an important part of your babys mixed diet after 9

months of age. For infants unable to take cows milk products, commercial soy formula

should be used until 2 years of age.

Feeding and Food Safety for Baby

Youve probably heard a lot about foodborne illness and keeping food safe. Foodborne illness is

spread through the food you eat. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable,

because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off the disease-causing germs.

Its important to be very careful when you are feeding your baby. In addition to basic food

safety, keep the following tips in mind.



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Storing Breast Milk Safely

Making and Using Formula

To stay safe when making and using formula, always follow the manufacturers instructions.

Do not use formula after the expiry (use by) date on the can.

Wash your hands with soap and water before you prepare formula.

Dont make more formula than you will need because it can become contaminated with

bacteria during preparation. Make small amounts that can be used within 24 hours and

store the formula in clean containers in the fridge.

Throw away any formula that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Measure carefully when mixing water with formula and follow the manufacturers

directions. Concentrated or diluted formula may harm your babys nutritional health.

Do not dilute canned ready-to-serve formula.

Breast Milk or Formula: Heating and Handling It Safely

When heating babys milk, always shake the liquid to even out the temperature, and test

it on the back of your hand (not your wrist) before feeding. Milk thats baby-ready

should feel lukewarm.

Heating breast milk or infant formula in the microwave is not recommended.

Microwaves heat milk and food unevenly. This causes hot spots that can scald a babys

mouth and throat.

Heating in Hot Water:

Method 1: Place the bottle under hot, running tap water until the desired temperature is

reached. This should take one to two minutes.

Method 2: Heat water in a pan. Remove the pan from the heat and set the filled bottle in

it until its warm.


Guidelines for Storing Breast Milk in the Refrigerator or Freezer at Home

Location How long can I keep breast milk here?

Unrefrigerated breast milk(room temperature) Up to 4 hours

Refrigerated 24 to 48 hours

In a freezer section within a refrigerator Up to 2 weeks

In a freezer section separated from the mainrefrigerator where the freezer maintainsa temperature of at least -18 C (0 F) Up to 3 months

In a deep freezer which maintains atemperature of at least -28 C (-18 F) Up to 6 months


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Drinking Water

Ask your health professional about using tap water, well water, or bottled water for

feeding your baby or preparing formula.

Health Canada recommends that all water fed to infants under 4 months of age bebrought to a rolling boil for at least 2 minutes. Allow the water to cool before using it.

Boiled water can be stored for 2 or 3 days in the refrigerator (or for 24 hours at room

temperature) in a sterilized, tightly closed container.

Let the cold water tap run for 2 minutes to flush the pipes every day before using the

water for drinking.

Transporting Babys Food

Transport bottles and food in an insulated cooler when travelling with the baby. Cold

temperatures (4C or 40 F and below) keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying.Throw away any perishable food (including milk or formula) left at room temperature

for more than 2 hours.

Use frozen gel packs to keep food or bottles cold on long outings.

Bottles, Jars, and Utensils

Follow the manufacturers recommendations for cleaning

bottles before you fill them with formula or milk.

Make sure that the safety button on the lid of

commercial baby food jars pops when you firstopen the jar.

Throw away jars with chipped glass or rusty lids.

Use detergent and hot water to wash blenders, food

processors, and any utensils (including the can opener)

that come in contact with a babys foods. Rinse well with

hot water after washing.

Dont put a bottle back in the refrigerator if your baby does not finish it. Bacteria from

the babys mouth can get into the bottle during feeding, then grow and multiplyeven

after refrigeration.

Dont feed your baby directly from a jar and then refrigerate the jar. Why? Because

bacteria can be transferred from the spoon to the jar. Instead, put one serving in a dish

with a clean spoon, and refrigerate the rest of the food in the jar. Throw away any food

that may be left in the serving dish.

Dont place dirty diapers in the same bag with bottles or food. Harmful bacteria from a

dirty diaper can spread to babys food.



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Plastic Baby Bottles

The Government of Canada is moving to ban the sale of plastic baby bottles containing

Bisphenol A because of concerns about long-term exposure to this chemical.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate. It is also

used in a protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans, including

baby formula. The government is working with manufacturers to come up with alternatives

to BPA while ensuring that infant formula contains the lowest levels possible.

Bisphenol A can move from polycarbonate baby bottles into the liquid inside the bottle

when boiling water is added, or when the bottle is heated in a microwave.

Introducing Solid Foods

At 6 months of age, your baby is ready to start trying

some solid foods. Breast milk or formula should

continue to be an important part of your babys diet

until 9 to 12 months.

The shift to solid foods is a whole new stage of feeding.

Your baby is ready to experience new textures and new ways of

eating. The tips below will help you prepare for this exciting time,

but talk to your health care provider before you begin.

Remember to introduce all solid foods, including infant cereal, with a spoon. Babies can

choke on solid foods in a bottle.

Babies may eat less than half a teaspoon at first. Spoon a small amount into a bowl or

onto a plate with a clean spoon.

Do not feed your baby directly from the jar. The bacteria from your babys saliva will

make the unused food deteriorate, even when refrigerated.

Introduce only one new food at a time to your baby, waiting 3 to 5 days before trying

another. This helps you determine if the new food agrees with your baby.

Start with nutrient rich foods containing iron. In Canada, most babies have an iron-

fortified infant cereal as their first solid food. Iron-fortified cereals can be mixed withbreast milk, formula, or water.

Meat and alternatives can also be introduced at this stage. This includes cooked meats,

fish, and poultry; tofu, cooked egg yolks; and well-cooked peas and beans. Iron from

meat sources is better absorbed than iron from non-meat sources.

Vegetables and fruits are usually added to babys diet next, followed by milk products

such as cottage cheese, other cheeses, and yogurt.



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Avoid Choking Hazards

Foods that are more likely to cause choking are:

Small and slippery, such as... grapes raisins

hot dogs hard candy

Hard to chew, such as...

popcorn chips

raw carrots nuts

chunks of meat

Sticky, such as... or...

peanut butter any food that is the size of babys little finger.

In addition, bottles should never be propped up for feeding.

Risky Foods For Young Children

For Babies Under 1 Year Old

Honey is not safe for children under 1 year old. It may contain a germ that can cause

serious illness or death.

Egg whites are not recommended for children under 1 year old, to reduce the chance of

allergic reactions. Egg yolks should be fully cooked and any foods containing raw eggs

should be avoided.

Avoid citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, and lime) until 1 year of age

because they can cause a painful diaper rash.

Cows milk is usually offered around 1 year of age. (Cows milk does not meet the

nutritional needs of infants.)

For Older Children

Children and infants are especially vulnerable to the foodborne illnesses linked with raw

(unpasteurized) milk and juice. The sale of raw milk is illegal in Canada. Unpasteurizedjuices and ciders may be sold at some farmers markets, roadside stands, orchards, and

grocery stores. Most producers voluntarily label unpasteurized juice or cider but if you

have any doubts, boil it first or dont give it to children or infants.



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Food Allergies

The foods babies are most likely to be allergic to should be avoided for the first year,

especially if other members of the family have food allergies. These foods include:

cows milk eggs peanuts soy

tree nuts wheat

citrus (such as oranges or grapefruit) gluten.

Citric acid is not the same as citrus. Citric acid is added to many baby foods to make it

easier to sterilize them.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Gluten can cause a serious

immune reaction in the small intestine. Wait until your baby is at least 8 months old before

feeding foods that contain gluten, such as bread, pasta, cookies, and some cereals.

If you see anything unusual after introducing your baby to a new food, call your health care

professional immediately. A reaction will often occur within 24 hours of eating a new food.

Look for these signs:

difficulty in breathing

constipation

diarrhea

vomiting skin rash

watery eyes

coughing

runny nose

a lot of bloating or gas

unusual crying or being very cranky during the daytime.

To Learn More

Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education:

www.canfightbac.org

Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Canadian Paediatric Society: www.caringforkids.cps.ca



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Babys Health Care

Oral Care

Good oral care is important for your baby right from

the beginning. Oral health is a key aspect of overall

health and you can begin good oral habits when

your baby is an infant. Follow these guidelines to

help your baby have a bright smile!

Age 0-6 months

Clean your babys gums daily.

Dont put your baby to bed with milk in a bottle. Sugars in milk or formula can cause

decay on teeth that have not appeared yet. Water is the best way to quench a thirst.

Plaque grows in a babys mouth even before they have teeth. The bacteria found inplaque can cause early childhood tooth decay, whether your baby feeds from the breast

or from a bottle. This painful disease can lead to an early loss of baby teeth, affecting

nutrition, speech development, and how the permanent teeth come in.

Age 6-18 months

Clean your babys teeth daily.

Avoid letting your toddler walk around with a bottle, which allows sugars to pool in

the toddlers mouth.

Serve juice and milk in a sippy cup, not a bottle.

Visit the dentist for a check-up.

How To Clean Your Babys Mouth

Wrap a damp cloth or piece of gauze around your finger

Gently wipe the gums from back to front, removing any leftover milk or formula.

As soon as teeth begin to appear in your childs mouth, use a small, soft, and wet

toothbrush to clean them.

To Learn More

Canadian Dental Association: www.cda-adc.ca



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Immunization

Babies are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases because their immune systems are still

developing. That is why its important to boost your babys immune system with timely

immunizations.

Mothers pass their immunity to their babies during the last

few weeks of pregnancy, but this begins to fade within a

few weeks of birth. If you are immune to a certain

disease, your baby will benefit from this for a short time.

In addition, breastfeeding provides some general

immunity, so your baby will have fewer colds for

example. But breastfeeding does not protect your baby

from specific illnesses such as whooping cough or diphtheria.

What Are Vaccines and Immunization?

Vaccines are made from weak or dead versions of viruses or bacteria. Vaccines may be given

as injections (also known as needles or shots) or as liquid drops that the baby will

swallow. Vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies that protect us from diseases. As

with adults, babies get vaccinated so that they will develop antibodies to protect them from

specific diseases.

A hundred years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide. In

Canada, they now cause less than 5% of all deathsthanks to immunization programs

across the country. Today, it is rare for a Canadian child to get polio, diphtheria, tetanus,

mumps, or measles. Whooping cough and rubella (German measles) are also becoming less

common as more and more children are immunized against these diseases.

The vaccines used in Canada are very safe. They are developed using the highest standards

and are continually monitored to make sure they are safe and effective.

Your health care provider can answer any questions you might have about vaccine safety.

To Learn More

Canadian Public Health Association: immunize.cpha.ca



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Your Healthy Home

Setting Up the NurseryTo ensure your babys safety, you must choose the correct kinds of equipment, supplies, and

toys. Follow these suggestions for a safe and well-equipped room for the baby.

The Crib

All cribs made before 1986 are unsafe. Check the

date on the cribs label. Do not use a crib that

does not have a label, is homemade, or was

made before 1986.

The space between crib bars should be nomore than 6 centimetres (2 3/8 inches).

The part of the crib that supports the

mattress should be attached permanently to

the crib frame.

The crib should not have any corner posts that

could catch on clothing and no design cut-outs in

the headboard or footboard.

It is important to make sure the crib does not have any loose, missing, or broken parts.

The crib mattress should be firm and free of any plastic covering. Make sure it fits tightly

within the crib and is no more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) thick.

Lower the mattress level as your baby grows, with the mattress at its lowest level by the

time your baby can sit up.

Crib Safety

Lock the sides into place after putting your baby in the crib.

Babies should sleep on their backs; never face down.

Do not let the baby wear a necklace or a soother on a cord.

Place the crib away from windows, curtains, cords, lamps, electrical plugs, and extension

cords.

Do not put soft mattresses, pillows, comforters, stuffed toys, or bumper pads in cribs.

Supervise babies when toys or bottles are also in the crib.

Remove mobiles and activity gyms by 5 months of age. Children who can lift themselves

onto their hands and knees can strangle on these items.



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Safe Sleeping

The safest place for your baby to sleep is alone

in a crib.

A cradle is also a safe place to sleep until 6months of age or until your baby can sit up.

The risk of suffocation rises when babies

sleep in a place other than a crib or a cradle.

An infant should never sleep face down

(lying on the stomach).

Bed Sharing

Bed sharing (sometimes called co-sharing or co-sleeping) is when an adult or another

child sleeps on the same surface as an infant. Health Canada advises that a baby shouldnever be placed to sleep on the same sleep surface as an adult or another child.

There is no proof that bed sharing reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

(SIDS). Research shows that the risk of SIDS is higher if the person sharing a bed with

an infant is a smoker, very tired, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Adult beds are not designed for infant safety. Babies can die if they get trapped between

the bed and the wall or other surfaces, or if a parent lies on them.

Infants can suffocate in soft bedding materials, such as pillows or comforters.

To Learn More...




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Where to Change Diapers

You dont have to buy a diaper changing station. You can use any sturdy surfacesuch as a

table or chest of drawersand add a waterproof changing mat. No matter what surface you

choose to use, keep these safety guidelines in mind: If you place your baby on any raised surface, always keep one hand on the baby.

The best place to change a diaper is on the floor, on a waterproof changing mat, or on a

clean towel.

Clean and disinfect the changing mat after each use by wiping it with hot water and

detergent and then using a sanitizing wipe or disinfectant spray.

Have diaper supplies handy, but out of your childs reach.

Safe Toys and Play

Toys and play are important to your childs development, and safety is essential. In Canada,responsibility for toy safety is shared among governments, the toy industry, safety

associations, parents, and caregivers.

Toy makers must ensure that their toys meet Health Canadas product safety regulations. Although

stores are regularly checked for unsafe toys, such toys can still make their way into your home.

Toy Safety: What You Should Know

Children under 3 years of age tend to put things in their mouths.

Keep small toys, small balls, or small loose toy parts away from children under 3 andfrom older children who still put toys in their mouth.

If the toy or any piece of it can fit inside a toilet paper tube, it could cause a child to choke.

Keep all toys, especially fabric and soft toys, away from heat sources, such as stoves,

fireplaces, and heaters.

Avoid toys with cords.

Loud toys can damage a childs hearing.

Supervise children at play and teach them how to use their toys safely.

Regularly inspect your babys toys to make sure they are not broken. Look for sharp edges.

Check the eyes and noses of stuffed animals. Broken seams in stuffed toys may reveal

small removable parts, such as squeakers in squeeze toys. Discard toys that are not safe.

Balloons

Balloons can make children choke.

Always keep balloons and pieces of broken balloons out of the reach of young children.

Supervise children when they are around balloons.



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Toy Storage

If the toy box has a lid, it should be lightweight, with hinges that

can hold the lid open and holes that allow air inside. Heavy lids

falling on childrens heads and necks can cause death.

Children should not have access to airtight storage bins, trunks, or

boxes. These could cause suffocation if a child climbs inside.

Ride-On Toys

Toys that children ride on must match the childs size and ability. Make sure the toy will

not tip when your child is on it.

Children on ride-on toys can move very quickly. Do not permit a ride-on toy near stairs,

traffic, swimming pools, or any other dangerous area.

Clear the area of lamps, cords, and anything that could be knocked over or pulled down

onto the child.

How to Buy Safe Toys

Read labels to make sure the toy is right for your childs age.

Even if your child seems mature for his or her age, remember that the age level for a

toy is based on safety.

Check for safety features.

Toys made of fabric should be labelled as flame resistant or flame retardant.

Stuffed toys should be washable.

All toys should be painted with lead-free paint, and art materials (including crayons)should say non-toxic somewhere on the package.

Look for toys that are sturdy and well constructed.

Young children like to pull and twist toys, and often try to put them in their mouths.

Make sure that eyes, noses, buttons, and other small parts of toys are securely attached.

Check toy cars to make sure the wheels are on tight.

Dont buy toys with cords or long strings for babies or toddlers. Never hang anything around

a toddlers neck and never hang toys with long strings or ribbons in a crib or playpen.

Throw away the plastic wrapping around a toy as soon as it is open. A child can choke

on this wrapping.

To Learn More


The Hospital for Sick Children: www.sickkids.ca



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Germs

What They Mean for You and Your Family

Germs are everywhere. Most germs are actually good but

some are bad. As a mother, you will want to protect your

children from the harmful germs as much as possible.

A safe, clean, and healthy home is important to your baby and the whole family. Here are

some simple guidelines.

Where Germs Grow in Your Home

The main sources of germs in your home are usually people, pets, food, and water. Some

germsespecially bacterialike to live in warm, moist places. They can grow and multiply

quickly in places where water and waste collect, such as in sinks, toilets, wet towels, and thecloths and mops you use for cleaning.

Did you know that bacteria can grow and divide every 20 minutes? One single germ cell can

become more than 8 million cells in less than 24 hours.

Bad Germs

Germs that can cause illness are called pathogens. They include the following:

Bacteriasuch as salmonella or E. coli, which cause foodborne illness.

Fungisuch as Candida albicans, which causes yeast infections; or some moulds, such as

Cladosporium, which can cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation.

Virusessuch as rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea in babies; or rhinovirus,

which causes the common cold.

How Germs Are Spread

Germs can be spread by direct contact, indirect contact, or through the air.

Direct contactis skin-to-skin contact with infected people or animals, or contact with

blood or other body fluids. This is why handwashing is so important for everyone who

comes in contact with your baby!

Indirect contactoccurs when germs that are present in raw food or water, in soil, and onanimals are picked up on your hands and transferred to the mouth, eyes, or nose.

Common contact points include:

1) Contaminated surfaces, such as dirty diapers, cutting boards, and items used to clean

these surfaces, such as cloths and sponges.

2) Pets and other animals

3) Insects, like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and spiders



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Through the air. Germs are carried on dust that your skin sheds or in tiny droplets that

leave our bodies when we are coughing, sneezing, or talking. Your baby could pick up these

germs by breathing them in. Germs that can be transferred this way include childhood

diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, and other contagious diseases like tuberculosis.

Toothbrushes can carry germs too. Replace all toothbrushes every 3 months and after any

upper respiratory, oral, or skin infection, including colds, sinus infections, and strep throat.

Controlling Germs: Cleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes germs from surfaces;

disinfecting actuallydestroys germs.

Cleaning with soap and water to remove dirt and germs is usually good enough.

However, its important to routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.

While surfaces may look clean, many infectious germs may still be lurking. In somecases, germs can live on surfaces for hoursand even days.

To Clean or To Disinfect?

When you clean, you are physically reducing dirt and the number of germs on the surface

you are cleaning. Cleaning requires soap (or detergent) and water, or a good cleaning

solution, and strong scrubbing.

When you disinfect, you are killing germs. As a general rule, disinfect those areas where large

numbers of dangerous germs may be and where there is a possibility that these germs could

be spread to others. When you disinfect with a sanitizing wipe or disinfectant spray, you are

actually killing most of the germs present on the surface you are wiping or spraying, giving

even better protection. Disinfectants are regulated by Health Canadas Health Canadas

Therapeutic Products Directorate and should be clearly labelled.

Tip: Prevent Germs by Keeping Surfaces Dry

Most germs cannot live long on a clean, dry surface. But just a few germs on a wet surface

can survive . . . and will quickly multiply. You can help prevent the growth of germs by

keeping surfaces, babys toys, and clothing clean and dry.

To Learn More

Lysol Canada: www.lysol.ca

Canadian Public Health Association: www.cpha.ca



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Healthy Food, Clean Kitchen

The Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education recommends four simple

steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often

Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before

and after handling food. Washing hands is one of the best things

parents can do to prevent foodborne illness.

In addition, wash your cutting boards, dishes, and other surfaces

with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before

going on to the next food.

Wash fruits and vegetables with cold water before using.

SEPARATE: Dont cross-contaminate

Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping,

preparing, and storing.

Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat,

poultry, or seafood.

COOK: Cook food to proper temperatures

Use a food thermometer to be sure you cook food to safe minimum

temperatures, which are listed at www.canfightbac.org.

CHILL: Refrigerate Promptly

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers

within 2 hours or sooner.



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Preventing Foodborne IllnessKitchen Tips

In addition to washing cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy

water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next, try using separate

cutting boards. Have one cutting board for fruit and vegetables, and one for raw meats,poultry, and seafood.

If you use paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces, you can then throw the germs away! If

you use cloth towels, wash them often, using hot water.

Periodically disinfect the kitchen countertops, following the directions on product labels

for effective use.

Clean your refrigerator regularly. Wipe up spills immediately and clean the inside walls

and shelves with hot water and a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, then rinse. Use

sanitizing wipes to clean up spills.

Once a week, check all the food in the fridge and throw out any that has expired. Be

aware that the best before date only tells you how long the unopened product willretain its freshness and high quality. Once its opened, the best before date no longer

applies and the products storage life is now the same as if it were a fresh product.

To Learn More

Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education:

www.canfightbac.org

In the Bathroom

Toilet bowls likely contain germs, but the greatest risk

of infection actually comes from surfaces that are

we touch oftenlike the toilet flush handle,

toilet seat, taps, and door handles.

You should regularly clean and disinfect surfaces

using these guidelines:

Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl as often as

necessary to prevent the build-up of dirt and

scum that can cause odours and give germs a place

to live. If you use a toilet brush, make sure it is stored

clean and dry after you use it.



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Clean up spills immediately and disinfect surfaces if any body fluids are involved.

Rinse baths, sinks, and showers after each use and clean them regularly to remove all the

lime scale and soap scum where germs can grow.

Store toothbrushes and other personal items where germs are not likely to splash onto

them. Rinse them after each use and store them dry. Do not share personal items.

Launder and replace towels often.

Keep the bathroom clean and well ventilated to prevent the growth of moulds.

Wash your hands completely after using the toilet and after cleaning the bathroom.

For added protection, spray surfaces with a disinfectant spray.

Floors and Furniture

Floors and furniture are usually a low risk for

spreading germs. Follow these guidelines.

Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings to pick

up dust, dust mites, and other debris.

Hard surfaces, such as tile, linoleum, or

laminates are better options than carpeting

in the bathroom and kitchen. Hard surfaces

are easier to clean and do not collect debris

in the same way that carpets can.

Hard surface floorings only require

disinfecting if body fluids have spilled onto

them. Use disposable paper towels toremove body fluids before cleaning and

disinfecting the surface.

If you use a mop and bucket, disinfect them

after each use and store them dry, with the

mop head upwards instead of resting on the

floor.

Dust with a damp cloth to minimize dust

and dirt.

To prevent the growth of moulds and fungi,

clean and disinfect tiled walls and other hard

surfaces where moisture is likely to collect.

Do not use bleach on carpets, wooden

surfaces, or in confined areas where air

cannot circulate. Never mix bleach with

other cleaners.


Clean Floors for Baby

Disinfecting floors, furniture, walls,

and other surfaces should only be

necessary when body fluids, such as

vomit or feces, have spilled.

However, keep in mind that when

young children and babies crawl on

the floor, there is a higher risk of

infection. This risk increases if you

also have pets.

Before putting your baby on the

floor, check that the area has been

recently vacuumed or washed, anddisinfected if necessary. It may be

easier to cover the floor with a

play mat that you can disinfect or

launder when it gets dirty.

Make sure there are no small,

loose objects that your baby could

choke on, or any other hazards,

like open heat sources or exposed

electrical cords.

If possible, do not wait until floors

or carpets are visibly dirty to clean

them. The more often you clean

them, the easier the chore will be.


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Animals and Insects

Household Pets

Pets are valued members of many households.

However, animals can also pass germs and

diseases to humans. The chance that healthy

dogs and cats will make you sick is small, but

reptiles, such as turtles, snakes, and lizards, can

easily transmit bacteria to their owners.

You can reduce the risks by practising good personal

hygiene, keeping pet areas clean, and keeping pets vaccines

current. The following tips will help you enjoy a happy and healthy relationship with your

pets.

Pets and Cleanliness

Wash your hands often, especially after touching animals or their treats, toys, leashes,

bedding, etc.

Avoid raw animal-based pet treats (beef, pork, chicken, fish, or seafood), which carry the

risk of Salmonella bacteria.

Make sure pets have their own feeding dishes and utensils that you clean separately from

other household items.

Immediately clean and disinfect any surface contaminated with animal saliva, mucus,

feces, urine, or blood.

Regularly clean and disinfect floors, feeding areas, and the sinks and tubs you use to

wash pets.

Never allow pets onto counters or tables where you prepare food.

Dont clean pet cages and tanks in your kitchen. Use a bucket and go outside if possible.

Do not let your pet share your plate or lick youror your babysface.

Keep all exotic petsespecially ferretsaway from your baby.

Never allow turtles, snakes, lizards, and iguanas or their cages near your baby. Reptiles

can transmit Salmonella bacteria.



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Be Ready For Baby: Your Pets Health

Check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog and cat are fully immunized and

regularly treated for fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and other parasites, including

roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm, and heartworm.

Check pets regularly for signs of ill health and take them to a vet immediately if

anything is wrong.

Keep their claws trimmed to reduce the risk of scratches.

Train your pets not to jump on people.

Introducing Your Pet to Your Baby

Ask the veterinarian for tips before your baby arrives.

In the first few weeks, you will probably have a lot of visitors and the focus will be on

you and the baby, so this could be a stressful time for your cat or dog.

Give your pet time to adjust and make the introduction to your baby a positive one forthe pet.

Never leave small children and animals alone together.

Safety Tip for Pets and Toddlers

Dont let toddlers use pets as a guide for walking.

Teach your children how to handle pets, for their safety and for the animals safety.

Supervise children under 5 years of age when they are around animals.

Watch for warning signs from the pet, such as guarding its food and toys, etc.

Contact your health care provider if your child is bitten or scratched by any animal.

To Learn More

Animal Health Care Information: www.animalhealthcare.ca



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Household Pests: Insects and Rodents

In Canada, household pests range from very small insects and spiders to mice, rats, bats,

squirrels, pigeons, and raccoons.

Pests enter our homes in order to get food, water, or shelter. They can be attracted by light,

warmth, moisture, food, or smells. Prevention is the best approach. Even when pests do get

into the house, you will rarely need to use pesticides. Simply removing their food supply and

breeding sites is the most effective way to control them.

Never leave sources of food or water (including garbage) exposed.

Clean up spills immediately.

Do not leave pets water and food out 24 hours a day.

Keep food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.

Regularly clean dark and/or humid places in your house.

Clear away small branches, grass, and debris that may be around the outside of the house. Seal any entrance holes you discover on the inside or outside of your home.

Mice, rats, and other rodents can carry disease, some of which are spread by their urine and

droppings. Breathing in the dust from droppings can cause illness so follow these safety tips.

Safe Clean-up Tips

Never sweep or vacuum dry droppings.

Wet the droppings and debris with a bleach and water solution before wiping up.

Wear rubber gloves and a dust mask.

Wash your hands completely after you finish cleaning up.

Change your clothing after cleanup and launder those clothes in hot water.

Wear gloves to dispose of dead rodents.

Make sure that children and pets cannot reach poisons and traps. Follow the directions when

using pest control treatments.

Check yourself, other family members, and pets after spending time outdoors where ticks reside.

Ticks should be removed immediately with tweezers by applying gentle, steady pressure

until they release their bite.

To Learn More




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Beyond the Home

Car Safety: Travels With Baby

Car safety is very important. Because babies haveweak muscles in their necks and backs, they need

extra support when travelling in a vehicle.

For Infants

A rear-facing infant seat will support your

babys head and neck in a sudden stop or a

crash. A rear-facing car seat installed in the back

seat is needed for babys very first car ride, and any

other time the baby travelseven the shortest distancefor the first year or more.

Make sure the seat fits your babys weight and height The rear-facing car seat should be

used until your baby is at least one-year-old, weighs at least 10 kilograms (22 pounds),

and can walk.

An infant wearing bulky clothing may not stay snugly in a car seat. Put your baby in the

car seat in normal clothing, and add jackets or blankets on top, if needed.

A rear-facing infant car seat can be used to carry your baby but dont use it instead of a

crib in your home.

When using an infant car seat outside the car, never place it on top of furniture or

counters. Babies can rock the car seat over the edge or get knocked off, so place the seat

on the floor.

The car seat should be firmly fastened in the back seat and should not slide from side to

side. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturers instructions.

Ask your health care provider about using car seats for premature or special needs

infants.

For Toddlers

When your baby outgrows the rear-facing seat, the new car seat should be installed in the

back seat, just as with a rear-facing infant seat.

Children should not use a car booster seat until they weigh at least 18 kilograms (40

pounds), which is generally between 4 and 5 years old. Children can be hurt during a

sudden stop or a crash if they are using a booster seat when they are too small.

Find out about and obey the laws on booster seats in your province or territory.



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For All Ages

Keep the car seats straps over your babys shoulders. Adjust the harness so that you can

only fit one finger underneath the straps at your babys chest. The chest clip should be

even with the babys armpits. Never leave a baby alone in a car and buckle the child into the car seat.

All car seats sold in Canada must be tested to meet Transport Canada safety standards.

Seats that were in a car crash need to be replaced, even if they look okay. Do not buy a

used car seat. Why? You cannot be sure it was never in a crash.

Fill in and mail the registration card that comes with the new seat. Then, if there is a

problem and the seat needs to be fixed or replaced, the company will know how to

contact you.

Read the instructions about safety seats in your car owners manual as well as those from

the car seat manufacturer.

Install the Car Seat Correctly

As many as 70% of car seats in Canada are not used correctly. Common problems

include seats that are not tightly secured to the car, loose harnesses, and chest clips in the

wrong place.

Ask your local public health unit or health care provider where you can go for a free car

seat inspection. This service is offered in many communities by hospitals and fire

departments.

To Learn More

Transport Canada: www.tc.gc.ca

Canadian Paediatric Society: www.caringforkids.cps.ca



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Child Development

Your babys growth is more than just physical.

Children grow, develop, and learn throughout

their lives.

From birth to 5 years, your baby will develop

new skills that include playing, learning, and

speaking. Smiling for the first time, making eye

contact, and pointing are a few of the milestones

along the way.

Because children usually develop in a certain way within

certain periods of time, you can predict when your baby will start to do new things.

However, all babies develop at their own pace, so there is no exact timetable for learning a

skill. For example, babies learn to walk between 9 and 15 months, so dont worry if your

baby is not walking by 12 months.

Developmental milestones are just some of the things you should be looking for as your child

grows. Use the list below as a guide, and if you have any concerns, talk with your childs

health care provider.

By the end of 3 months, many children are able to:

smile back at another person mimic some movements and facial expressions

grasp and shake small toys

follow moving objects.


turn their head when their name is called

respond to sound with their own sounds

play peek-a-boo or other social games

babble chains of sounds.


use simple gestures (waving bye-bye)

make sounds such as ma and da

mimic actions when they are playing (clap when you clap)

respond when told no.



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do simple pretend play (talk on a toy phone)

point to interesting objects

look at an object when you point and tell them to look!

use several single words unprompted.

To Learn More

Invest In Kids: www.investinkids.ca


Questions to Ask Your Childs Health Care Provider

What should I do if Im worried about my childs progress?

Where can I get more information?

Its normal to measure your childs growth in terms of height and weight. But dont

forget to look at all the other ways your child is growing, too.

From birth to 5 years, there are milestones your child should reach in terms of how he

or she plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas may signal a

developmental problem or autism. The good news is that the earlier its recognized, the

more you can do to help your child reach his or her full potential. Talk with your childs

health care provider about overall development.

From Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5by Steven Shelov, Robert E. Hannermann, (c) 1991,1993, 1998, 2004 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Used by permission of Bantam Books, a division ofRandom House, Inc.

Baird, G., Charman, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Cox, A., Swettenham, J., Wheelwright, S., and Drew, A. (2000), AScreening Instrument for Autism at 18 Months of Age: A 6-Year Follow-up Study. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc.Psychiatry, 39:694-702.


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Child Care

Infants and toddlers often spend at least some of

their time being cared for by people other than

their parents. Whether with relatives, friends, orin a child care setting, all children need a place

where they will be safe and healthy and where

they will thrive.

Choosing the best child care can be a difficult

decision for parents because there are so many factors

to consider.

Do you prefer a child care centre or a home-based setting?

Is licensed child care important to you?

Do you want child care to be close to your home or workplace?

How can you learn about the options that exist close to where you live?

Finding Child Care

Ask your local public health department for information about safe and reliable child care

and how to find out if you qualify for a child care subsidy.

Once you know what you want and how much you can afford, doing some research will help

you to choose the child care that best meets your needs and those of your child.

Research the Child Care Choices

Once you have a list of child care options, begin with telephone interviews. Write down the

questions you want to ask. If you are satisfied with the answers you receive, make a plan to

visit the centres and homes in person. According the Canadian Child Care Federation,

quality child care settings have several things in common:

clean, safe, and secure

a caring, learning environment

a small number of children with each adult

space for quiet and active times, indoor and outdoor play a balance of interesting activities

flexible, yet predictable daily routine

a variety of toys and equipment

nutritious meals and snacks.



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Dont rely on first impressions. A nice provider is not always a quality provider. Ask about

hours, fees, discipline, policies on sickness, vacations, and how parents can be involved. What

are their rules about early or late pick-up or drop-off?

Your relationship with the caregiver is also very important. Does the caregiver agree with you

on discipline? Weaning? Toilet training? Feeding?

After visiting the different child care sites, you will probably be able to narrow your list down

to just a few choices. You might want to drop in unexpectedly to see how you are greeted.

Check references before you make a final decision and make sure the child care agreement is

in writing. This can prevent misunderstandings later on.

Finally, find out if all the adults who will work with your child have had a criminalbackground check.

Questions to Ask about Activities and the Site:

Are activities and schedules explained to your child?

Are toys and materials well organized so your child can choose what interests him or her?

What program (curriculum) is used for children of different ages?

Can the caregiver and the environment accommodate any special needs?

Is the site appealing, with good lighting and an acceptable noise level?

Can a parent visit at any time?

Will your child feel good about coming here?

To Learn More

Canadian Child Care Federation: www.cccf-fcsge.ca



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Preparing for Emergencies

First Aid

Babies and young children are extremely vulnerable to accidents. They are too young to

assess safety risks they lack coordination and balance and they need to explore and learn

about the world around them. The main causes of injuries in the home are falls, burns, and

poisoning.

Its a fact of life that emergencies happen. However, you can be prepared so that youor

someone elsecan act quickly, rather than having to search for information or supplies when

action is needed.

First Aid Kits

A family First Aid kit is your first defence whenaccidents occur. Be ready for emergencies by

preparing First Aid kits in advance. That way, if an

emergency happens, you will have everything

you need at hand.

Keep a First Aid kit in your home and one

in each car. Keep them out of reach of

children.

Bring a First Aid kit on family outings and

extra prescription medication on vacations.

Check your kits every spring.

Replace any used or expired items promptly.

Read the First Aid manual and review it with the whole family before theres an

emergency.

What Goes in a First Aid Kit?

Medications

antiseptic (wipes or solution such as hydrogen peroxide)

antibiotic ointment

antihistamine anti-diarrhea medication

calamine lotion

pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophennever give Aspirin to children).


8/6/2019 Caring for You and Your B

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Caring for You and Your Baby