Caring for infants and Toddlers

Core Principal # 2: Children should be viewed as a Blessing, not as a Burden!

Consider the clear message of Psalm 127:3 (KJV)

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

The implementation of this principle needs to be in place before your precious bundle comes home from the hospital or you can get into deep trouble very quick. That's because the transition from a baby in the belly to a baby in a bed is a quantum leap! Parents must be ready for the dramatic changes that will immediately take place. Yes, you are probably going to lose some sleep for the next few months and you will have many extra chores in feeding, bathing and caring for your baby. This is natural and it is part of the journey in family life. If you are having trouble handling this, you need to change your attitude and grow in patience and perseverance - that is a realistic part of being a responsible adult and parent.

A great secret to understanding life is that we don't always see our circumstances as they are - we see them as we are! That simply means if you line up with God’s word on the matter of how you view this new development in your life, things will go much better. The care, nurturance and guidance of your children is "your opportunity" not "your burden".


Core Principal 3: Celebrate this transition time of infancy & toddlerhood together with your mate.

Take every opportunity to celebrate the unique experiences.

You will be changing messy diapers and sometimes getting an unexpected shower! You will get to sing and rock them to sleep. You will joyfully bounce them on your knee while they make funny sounds. You may have to swap car seats in the rain and snow. You will have fun bathing them and feeding them. Make sure you take lost of pictures of the messes and spills - there will be plenty of them to capture on film. You will hold them up joyfully over your head when they unexpectedly puke in your hair. Believe me it's a blast!

You must realize that what happens during these months of infancy and toddlerhood is critical to your children's development. Brain research has demonstrated that it is the "joy" factor between parents and infants which stimulates mylenation of brain cells and overall healthy brain development. (Trevarthen and Aitken, 1994).

Te function and actual development of the of the prefrontal cortex of the brain has been shown to be different between healthy and neglected children. (Willis, 2008). Thus, joyfully viewing your children as a blessing will help bring the blessing of healthy brain development.

Just as few more quick tips. Infants and toddlers need an environment that is: SAFE, STRUCTURED and ROUTINE.

Be sure to take a class on caring for infants and toddlers at your local medical facility or at least talk to an experienced mom! talk to an experienced mom! Concerning safety, you will have to go around the house and anticipate dangers for crawling infants. Fill up the unused electrical outlets with baby safe plastic plugs, put child locks on low cabinets and doors, gate stairways and other areas you want to keep the child safe from, etc., etc.

Regarding structure, you want a nice colorful and interesting room for the baby crib or play pen. In a place relatively free from loud distracting noises. There should also be a distinction between "mommy & daddy's room" and "baby's room" (except for children needing special care for some medical reason). It is not good for children to get used to sleeping with mom and dad - unless you really want the emotional dependency problems that come with that! Another aspect of structure is the matter of establishing healthy routines. There should be routine times for eating, sleeping, napping, etc. Make sure you get your child on a good bedtime routine early it will become even more important at later stages.

Babies are indeed a great blessing but they do come with their own unique temperaments and thus far God has never given us a special handbook with each child. There are obviously some things he wants us to figure out on our own, so enjoy the journey!

I'll bet you just can't wait until your crib and wall get covered with fresh "diaper paint"!
Just remember, say calm and count your blessings!!!

Warmest regards,

Michael J. Miller MEd.,LPC, LCSW
christianfamilyguidancecenter.com

References:

Trevarthen, Colvyn and Aitken, Kenneth J. Developmeny and Psychopathology. Cambridge University Press, 6, 597-633, (1994)

Willis, Judy MD, MEd. Healthy Brain Development: Key Impact and Interventions. Presentation Friday October 24, 2008.