How to Bottle-Feed a Baby

Bottle-feeding an infant is not rocket science, but it’s not necessarily easy either. Some babies take to the bottle like champs, while others require a bit more coaxing. In fact, introducing a bottle can be a process of trial and error.

This seemingly simple undertaking is made exponentially more challenging by the staggering plethora of bottle options, varying nipple flows, different formula types, and multiple feeding positions.

Step-by-step guide to bottle-feeding a baby

Once your bottle is prepared and at the ideal temperature (find more details on these below), it’s time to start feeding your baby.

>First, find a position that’s comfortable for you and safe for your baby.

>Hold the bottle at a horizontal angle so that your little one has to gently suck to get the milk.

>Be sure that the milk fills the entire nipple so that your baby isn’t gulping lots of air, which may result in gas and fussiness.

>You’ll want to take breaks every few minutes to gently burp baby. If they seem particularly squirmy during a feeding, they may have a gas bubble; take a pause and gently rub or pat their back.

>Use this opportunity to bond with your baby. Hold them close, look into their wide eyes, sing soft songs, and make feeding time a happy time.

>Be sure to pace your feeding. You can’t expect — nor do you want — a new baby to chug a bottle down in 5 minutes flat. It may take a while, and that’s a good thing.

What are good positions for bottle-feeding a baby? 

There are several positions you can try for bottle-feeding. Make sure you’re both comfortable so it’s a pleasant experience. Find a suitable place to sit comfortably, use pillows to support your arms if needed, and cozy up together during feeds.

Here are a few options to try:

Cradle your baby

When you think of holding a newborn baby, you probably envision yourself cradling them in the nook of your arm. This is a great position for feeding your wee one a bottle. Rest their head in your elbow bend, and tilt them up so they’re at a comfortable angle. This position is ideal for some bonus skin-to-skin contact.

Sitting position

Sit down and place baby upright in your lap with their back against your stomach and chest. This position is especially encouraged for infants with reflux. Just be sure that you’re tipping the bottle to completely fill the nipple with milk.

Rest baby on your legs

Sit or lay down, and prop your baby on your legs with their back against your thighs and their head near your bent knees. This position allows for eye contact and interaction.

Use a feeding pillow

Nursing pillows aren’t just for breastfeeding. Some babies enjoy being positioned on a pillow for mealtime. A traditional C-shaped nursing pillow works great for this purpose, allowing baby to relax and be comfortable during a feed.

While this option frees up your arms, you’ll still need to hold the bottle for your baby. Propping or rigging a hands-free situation has potentially dangerous consequences.

Once a baby is old enough and expresses interest in holding the bottle themselves (somewhere around 6–10 months of age), you can let them try. Just be sure to stay close and monitor them carefully.

Whatever position you try, make sure that your little one is angled, with their head raised. You don’t ever want your baby to be lying down flat while eating. This could enable milk to travel into the inner ear, potentially causing an ear infectionTrusted Source.

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PARENTHOODBABY

How to Bottle-Feed a Baby

Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R.N., CCRN, CPN — Written by Lauren Barth on September 29, 2020

Step-by-step guide

Positions

Preparing bottles

Feeding schedule

Bottles for breastfed babies

Other tips

Takeaway

Bonnin Studio/Stocksy United

Bottle-feeding an infant is not rocket science, but it’s not necessarily easy either. Some babies take to the bottle like champs, while others require a bit more coaxing. In fact, introducing a bottle can be a process of trial and error.

This seemingly simple undertaking is made exponentially more challenging by the staggering plethora of bottle options, varying nipple flows, different formula types, and multiple feeding positions.

Yes, there’s a whole lot more to bottle-feeding than what meets the eye, so don’t be discouraged if your wee one is a bit fussy at first. You’ll soon find the routine — and products — that work for your little one. In the meantime, we’ve got you covered with all the bottle basics.

Step-by-step guide to bottle-feeding a baby

Once your bottle is prepared and at the ideal temperature (find more details on these below), it’s time to start feeding your baby.

First, find a position that’s comfortable for you and safe for your baby.

Hold the bottle at a horizontal angle so that your little one has to gently suck to get the milk.

Be sure that the milk fills the entire nipple so that your baby isn’t gulping lots of air, which may result in gas and fussiness.

You’ll want to take breaks every few minutes to gently burp baby. If they seem particularly squirmy during a feeding, they may have a gas bubble; take a pause and gently rub or pat their back.

Use this opportunity to bond with your baby. Hold them close, look into their wide eyes, sing soft songs, and make feeding time a happy time.

Be sure to pace your feeding. You can’t expect — nor do you want — a new baby to chug a bottle down in 5 minutes flat. It may take a while, and that’s a good thing.

You want a baby to regulate their own hunger, so slow down and allow an infant to go at their own speed. Be sure to follow their cuesTrusted Source, pause to burp or reposition them, and put the bottle down if they seem bothered or disinterested. You can try again in a few minutes.

And if they seem to want a top off? Go ahead and offer a free refill if it seems necessary.

What are good positions for bottle-feeding a baby? 

There are several positions you can try for bottle-feeding. Make sure you’re both comfortable so it’s a pleasant experience. Find a suitable place to sit comfortably, use pillows to support your arms if needed, and cozy up together during feeds.

Here are a few options to try:

Cradle your baby

When you think of holding a newborn baby, you probably envision yourself cradling them in the nook of your arm. This is a great position for feeding your wee one a bottle. Rest their head in your elbow bend, and tilt them up so they’re at a comfortable angle. This position is ideal for some bonus skin-to-skin contact.

Sitting position

Sit down and place baby upright in your lap with their back against your stomach and chest. This position is especially encouraged for infants with reflux. Just be sure that you’re tipping the bottle to completely fill the nipple with milk.

Rest baby on your legs

Sit or lay down, and prop your baby on your legs with their back against your thighs and their head near your bent knees. This position allows for eye contact and interaction.

Use a feeding pillow

Nursing pillows aren’t just for breastfeeding. Some babies enjoy being positioned on a pillow for mealtime. A traditional C-shaped nursing pillow works great for this purpose, allowing baby to relax and be comfortable during a feed.

While this option frees up your arms, you’ll still need to hold the bottle for your baby. Propping or rigging a hands-free situation has potentially dangerous consequences.

Once a baby is old enough and expresses interest in holding the bottle themselves (somewhere around 6–10 months of age), you can let them try. Just be sure to stay close and monitor them carefully.

Whatever position you try, make sure that your little one is angled, with their head raised. You don’t ever want your baby to be lying down flat while eating. This could enable milk to travel into the inner ear, potentially causing an ear infectionTrusted Source.

What’s the best way to prepare bottles for feeding?

Of course, feeding baby the bottle might be the easy part. Picking the right vessel to hold your breast milk or formula can be a whole other complicated story. The information below can help you master the art of preparing the perfect bottle for your baby.

Choose the right bottle for your baby

If you’ve ever browsed the feeding section of a baby store, you know that bottle options are seemingly endless.

There are bottles designed for colicky babies, gassy babies, and breastfed babies. It’s daunting. The confounding truth is that some babies will take any old bottle you throw at them, while others will be far more discerning.

You might have to try a few different brands to find “the one” for your baby. If you have a gassy guzzler, you could go with one that uses a venting system. If you’ve been exclusively nursing up until now, you can try one that more readily resembles the shape and feel of mama’s breast.

You may also want to pick a bottle that has fewer parts to clean and reassemble. You’ll appreciate the lack of steps during that 2 a.m. feeding session.

Furthermore, start with a slow-flow nipple, and upgrade when your baby seems eager to get more milk, faster.

Prepare your formula or breast milk bottle

Feeding with formula? There are three types to choose from: powder, concentrate, and ready-to-pour.

Ready-to-pour formula is the easiest (and, yes, most expensive) option of the three. It involves no preparation and is as simple as opening and pouring it. You can purchase small, individual bottles that come with nipples, which are especially useful for those early infant feedings, or opt for larger bottles that need to be refrigerated. Either way, it’s fairly foolproof.

When using powder, you’ll need to measure out portions and mix them well with suitable water. It’s important to follow the directions and use the recommend water-to-formula ratio. Using too much water can dilute the nutrients; using not enough can cause dehydration. Both of these possibilities can have dangerous consequences, so use caution and care.

Similarly, concentrate formulas require a safe water source. Once again, measuring appropriately is key.

If you’re breastfeeding, preparing a bottle is pretty straightforward. Just pour pumped fresh or frozen breast milk into a bottle, and warm it up (if refrigerated and desired). Be sure to double-check the pump date, though; thawed and/or refrigerated breast milk has a short shelf life.

Warm your bottle

Some babies will take a bottle straight out of the refrigerator, but many prefer their milk slightly warmed.

The best way to warm up a cold formula or breast milk bottle is by submerging it in a cup of hot water for a few minutes. You can also use a bottle warmer. Test the milk temperature on your wrist before serving it to your baby.

Be sure to never microwave a bottle. This can cause an uneven temperature throughout and create hot spots that could burn baby’s mouth.

How long is a bottle good for?

It may seem painful to throw away precious pumped liquid gold or chuck expensive formula. Yet, at some point or another, you’ll probably watch wistfully as you pour some unused bottle milk down the drain.

If you’re using expressed breast milk, there are some important time frames to remember. Breast milk can be frozen for up to 6 to 12 months and refrigerated for 4 days. (If it has been thawed, though, you should use it within 24 hours.) Once you begin feeding a breast milk bottle, it’s safe for up to 2 hours.

A prepared bottle of formula can be refrigerated for 24 hours. Once baby has taken a sip from a bottle of formula, it must be used within 1 hour. Bacteria multiply quickly on milk-based products, so be sure to check the clock.

How often should you bottle-feed a baby?

It may feel like you’re constantly preparing bottles, but don’t worry, this feeding frenzy phase will soon pass.

Yes, in the early days of parenthood, you’ll be feeding your little one every 2 to 4 hours. As a newborn, your baby will likely consume around 2 ounces per feed.

As they get older, the feedings may become spaced out, and the amount in each bottle will increase. Around the 2-month mark, your baby may start drinking 4 to 6 ounces each feeding. By 6 months, they’ll probably take in about 8 ounces.

Don’t feel tethered to a strict feeding schedule. It’s best to feed a baby when they seem hungry. Babies go through rapid growth spurts and may need to feed more frequently. Look for hunger cues to determine whether your little one is hankering for a bottle.

Your baby may be hungry if they begin gumming on their hands, sucking on their tongue, or rooting. Rub your finger or a bottle nipple at the side of their cheek or mouth, if they turn toward it, they’re probably ready for a feeding. Give that bottle a go!

What Is Sensory Stimulation?

Sensory stimulation is the input and sensation you receive when one or more of your senses is activated.

This type of stimulation is important for infant development and can be used to improve the well-being of developmentally disabled adults, people with neurocognitive disorders, and older adults.

Keep reading to learn more about sensory stimulation, what exactly it is, and the benefits it provides.

The 5 human senses

Sensory stimulation is the activation of one or more of our five senses:

Seeing (visual): When light passes through your cornea (transparent eye surface) to your pupil (the opening to the inside of your eye). After passing through your pupil, it reaches your lens, which focuses it on your retina (the back of your eye), where it’s converted into a nerve signal and carried by your optic nerve to your brain.

Hearing (auditory): When sound vibrations cross your eardrum to your inner ear, change into nerve signals, and are transmitted to your brain by your auditory nerve.

Touching (tactile): When nerve endings (receptor cells located throughout your body) transmit signals to your brain and it interprets them as pain, pressure, vibration, temperature, and body position.

Tasting (gustatory): When your approximately 10,000 taste buds (receptor cells) send signals to your brain, identifying sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory) flavors. Taste is also affected by also the smell, temperature, and texture.

Smelling (olfactory): When specialized cells (olfactory sensory neurons) high in your nose send signals to your brain for interpretation and identification. There are also olfactory sensory neurons on the roof of your mouth.

Sensory stimulation for babies

Because babies learn about the world around them with their senses, sensory stimulation is linked to:

->emotional development

->cognitive development

->physical development

->Repetitive activities that stimulate the senses can help babies learn and reach developmental milestones.

Examples of sensory stimulation for babies include:

->rattles

->mobiles

->hearing lullabies

->toys

->peek-a-boo games

->bath time

Sensory stimulation for young children

Sensory stimulation continues to be beneficial as babies progress from infants to preschoolers. Sensory play helps children engage with the world in a way that helps them grow and develop.

For young children, sensory play includes any activity that stimulates a child’s sense of touch, smell, taste, sight, movement, and hearing. This kind of play helps create connections in the brain that allow for more complex thoughts and tasks. Sensory activities also help young brains better process and respond to sensory information.

For example, a child may find it difficult to play with another child if there are other sensory stimulations — such as loud noises — in their environment. Through sensory play activities, the child can learn to block out stimulations that are not as important and focus on ones that are, such as social interactions with another child.

Sensory play also supports language development, cognitive growth, motor skills, and problem-solving skills.

Sensory stimulation activities for children include:

->banging on drums (or anything that makes a noise)

->playing in a sandbox

->adding food coloring to water

->making smoothies

->blowing whistles

->making shadow puppets

->playing catch with a balloon

->comparing sweet and savory snacks

->finger painting. 

Takeaway

Sensory stimulation is the response to input from our environment by one or more of our five senses:

->visual (seeing)

->auditory (hearing)

->tactile (touching)

->gustatory (tasting)

->olfactory (smelling)

Sensory stimulation is very important for the development of infants and can be used effectively to improve the well-being of developmentally disabled adults, people with neurocognitive disorders, and older adults.

How To Teach Good Habits To Kids

It's never too early to start educating a child. Most parents are convinced that a child is not able to understand the rules until he speaks, but in reality as early as 6 months a child understands the meaning of a "no". Later it is good to start praising him when he does something right, to reinforce positive behaviors and to point out to him any wrong attitudes or behavior. The first rules to be taught are the fundamental ones, which will allow the child to become a responsible and respectful adult.

Some fundamentals of teaching good habits:

Greeting:

It is important to teach children to always greet the people we meet when they present themselves and when they leave, because it is important for everyone to feel welcome. More and more often, unfortunately, people enter and leave the premises and shops without saying goodbye and pupils in schools do not greet their teachers when they enter the classroom. This is the first sign of respect and must be taught since very young to become a habit for life.

To thank:

In addition to greeting, it is essential to teach children to express gratitude by saying "thank you" and "please" as a sign of respect and appreciation. The best way to do this is by setting a good example by taking advantage of the small daily gestures in the family. For example at the table when mum and dad pour each other's water or pass the dishes.

Being clean and tidy up:

Whether at home or at the home of friends, grandparents, uncles or kindergarten, children must learn to respect objects and environments even more so if they are at public places. After the game it is necessary to tidy up and if you get dirty you must clean up before starting any other activity. Like any other standard of good education, the example given by the parents is fundamental and can be helpful to turn these gestures into moments of play with mum and dad, using baskets, boxes and gift bags to reorder more easily.

Waiting for your turn:

Children should be taught not to interrupt others when they are talking, because everyone has the right to be heard carefully and this is not possible if the voices are added up. The best way to strengthen this habit is by listening carefully to the end even the youngest when we give them the word, so that they understand the importance of being heard. While the child is waiting for his turn, we can hold his hand or glance at him to make him understand that we are aware of his desire to intervene.

While eating:

As for eating habits, many may seem obvious but according to data that are regularly disseminated on childhood obesity. It is not always good to repeat them: feeding the baby must be simple and nutritious and rich in noble proteins, so the snacks of any kind are to be avoided. The same goes for carbonated and very sugary drinks so better a few centrifuged fruit and vegetables that will also be useful to bring the child to new tastes. Do not be afraid if the child will make some resistance: this will be linked more to the novelty of taste than to any other so with a little 'insistence, you will get the desired result. Furthermore, it is good to remember that, especially in the field of nutrition, children learn by imitation rather than by imposition: therefore, as parents we must be the first to set an example.

Mother’s role:

The mother must always be encouraging and collaborative without ever going to criticism.So remembering that good habits are not acquired overnight and that putting excessive pressure can be counterproductive. The best thing is to make yourself part of the game, joining your child in learning good habits and showing commitment and interest in order to maintain focus and inner motivation to improve. The celebrations for the progress achieved must be often and frequent even for minimal things, to make the child understand that the achievement of the objectives can be a great feeling. 

To these fundamental rules, later in the growth can be added more complex habits such as learning to have a sporting spirit, to respect the animals, to be kind to everyone, to accept the differences of culture, race or religion, etc., But if your child has learnt the first four then you are already at a good point with his education

what is tummy time and why it is so important in infants?

Tummy time happens when your baby lies on his tummy with weight on his forearms. Tummy time builds head, neck and upper body strength. Your baby should do it often each day

Start tummy time soon after birth. In the first few weeks, try tummy time for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Your baby can build up to 10-15 minutes, several times a day.

Back to sleep, tummy to play. While asleep, baby spends a lot of time on his back with his head in one position. This can cause flat spots on the back of his head. Tummy time helps prevent this.

How to do tummy time?

       Place safe objects and toys close to your baby. Move them from side to side in front of her face. This encourages her to move, lift and turn her head.

     Get down on the floor next to your baby. Turn pages in picture books or magazines. This develops baby’s eye strength and keeps her interested.

 

    Put a non-breakable mirror next to your baby so she can see her reflection. Try tummy time in different places, like outdoors on a blanket.

Making tummy time interesting, fun and safe

      Let your baby know you’re there by talking and singing, stroking his back or tickling his hands

      If your baby doesn’t like tummy time on the floor, try tummy time on a rolled-up towel, your lap or large ball.

Supervise baby during tummy time. As he gets stronger and starts moving more, clear away dangerous things.

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Benefits of skin-to-skin contact with your newborn.

 

How do I do skin-to-skin contact with my baby?

Ask for your baby to be placed directly on your chest right after birth, with a cap on her head and a warm blanket across her back. It's best if this can happen as soon as your baby is wiped off, even before the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and before your baby is cleaned, checked, and weighed.

But even if it takes a few minutes for this to happen, it's now well understood that skin-to-skin contact can make your baby's early moments in the world smoother and less traumatic. Skin-to-skin contact is also called "kangaroo care," because it mimics what kangaroo mothers do: hold their newborns in a pouch attached to their bodies for safety, warmth, and ease of feeding.

What are the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with my baby?

Skin-to-skin contact offers several benefits for newborns and their moms:

• Warmth. Newborns can't regulate their body temperature well (such as by shivering to keep warm). Your body heat keeps your baby warm and cozy.
• Comfort. Researchers have found that newborns who had more skin-to-skin contact cried less.
• Easier breastfeeding. Newborns who are placed on their mother's chest immediately after birth often begin "crawling" or nudging themselves toward the breast to begin nursing. Some studies have shown that babies who get plenty of skin-to-skin contact latch on easier and nurse for longer.
• Stable heart rate and other health markers. Researchers have found that newborn babies who had more skin-to-skin contact had more stable heart rates, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels than babies who had less.
• Protection against infection. If skin-to-skin contact with your newborn happens before the baby's even cleaned off, there's evidence that he'll be less prone to infection because he has more time in contact with the beneficial bacteria you transmit to him during a vaginal birth.

Skin-to-skin contact offers extra health benefits for premature babies, including:

• Improved neurological development
• Better and faster growth
• A shorter stay in the NICU

 There are also clear benefits of skin-to-skin for you:

• When it happens right after delivery, skin-to-skin contact causes your brain to release a hormone called beta-endorphin that works like a mild analgesic, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed.  
• It also causes your brain to release more oxytocin, a hormone that promotes both bonding and breastfeeding.

What if I can't have skin-to-skin contact with my baby right after birth?

Sometimes skin-to-skin contact isn't possible immediately after birth. If your baby has a health issue, seeing to his immediate medical needs is more important than skin-to-skin contact. If that's the case, don't worry – that closeness and contact can and will happen later.

If you have a c-section, you may not be able to have your newborn placed on your chest while you're on an operating table. However, many hospitals now routinely give moms the option of immediate skin-to-skin contact after c-sections. 

But if you're not feeling up to it right away, that's fine. Your partner can initiate bonding with skin-to-skin contact instead. Skin-to-skin with dad or another partner can help your baby with heartbeat and temperature regulation as well.

How long should I do skin-to-skin contact with my baby?                                                                                            Skin-to-skin contact isn't just for newborns. Holding your baby against your skin whenever you can during the first few months after birth helps you develop a close bond and makes breastfeeding easier. Your baby will be soothed by the warmth of your body, the feel of your heartbeat, and the sound and vibrations of your voice.

When will my baby see clearly?

                            

Your baby will be able to see pretty clearly by the time he's 12 months old, but his vision won't be fully developed until he's between 3 and 5 years old.

A baby's vision improves dramatically over the first year. At birth an infant can detect light and motion, then can make out faces and large shapes. By the end of the first month, a baby can make eye contact and focus on objects about 12 inches away.

By the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, he can distinguish between colors and focus on smaller objects. As his depth perception improves, he can focus on objects up to 3 feet away and watch activity around him. If you move a rattle from side to side a few inches from his face he'll follow it with his eyes – a skill known as "tracking."

If your baby doesn't watch moving objects, or if he seems to have trouble moving one or both eyes in any direction by the time he's 4 months old, talk to his doctor. His routine well-child checkups include basic vision assessments, but he probably won't have a formal vision screening until he's 3 to 5 years old.

How to help improve your baby’s eyesight?

• Chat baby up. When you’re breast- or bottle-feeding, your face is close enough for even the youngest baby to see — and it’s also conveniently one of her favorite things to observe. So talk to her while you look her in the eyes — you’ll bond and help her begin to learn language, too.
• Hang a mobile. Babies love images with contrasting colors and patterns. So until your little one is able to sit up (at about month 3 or 4), securely hang a colorful, patterned mobile high above her crib or bouncy seat. (Just make sure to remove it as soon as she can sit to prevent her from becoming entangled).
• Mirror her. Another visual hit with babies: mirrors. While they can’t recognize themselves until about month 15, they do love seeing the changing image reflected back at them as they move.
• Bring baby along for the ride. Bring baby in a forward-facing carrier as you go about your day — whether you’re taking a walk around your neighborhood, shopping for groceries or just brushing your teeth. Describe what you see to boost her verbal development at the same time she’s observing the world around her.

Signs of baby vision problems

While many infant vision problems are only detectable by a pediatrician or an ophthalmologist, you can take a few steps to ensure early intervention on any potential issues:

• Snap photos. While “red eye” isn’t the look you’re going for, this nuisance actually shows that baby’s eyes are correctly refracting light. Pictures that show whiteness in baby’s pupils, on the other hand, indicate a condition known as leukocoria, which may signal serious problems (such as a cataract or a tumor) that require attention from a pediatrician right away.
• Watch for focus. In the first few months, it’s normal for a baby’s eyes to sometimes seem like they’re looking in different directions (a condition known as strabismus). However if this continues past 4 months, take your child to a pediatrician for an evaluation. Same goes if your baby doesn’t seem to focus on your face and instead appears to be looking through or around you, or if she consistently seems to be looking off to one side.
• Check if she’s interested in objects. If by around month 4 your baby can’t track objects or by month 7 doesn’t seem interested in any new visuals you show her (like that bright new toy you just bought), check in with your doctor.
• Monitor for other eye issues. Other symptoms that needs to take to the doctor include bulging eyes, eyes that seem to quickly flutter up and down or side to side, constant redness or wateriness, sensitivity to light, itchy eyes or eye pain.

If you notice any of the above or any other visual issues that don’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate to bring baby to the doctor for an exam.

Your Child's Immunizations

Babies are born with protection against some diseases because their mothers pass antibodies (proteins made by the body to fight disease) to them before birth. Breastfed babies continue to get more antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the protection is temporary.

Immunization (vaccination) is a way to create immunity to (protection from) some diseases. Sometimes this is done by using small amounts of a killed or weakened germ that causes the disease. Other times the vaccine is simply a small piece of the germ, such as a protein or a piece of its genetic material.

Germs can be viruses (such as the measles virus) or bacteria (such as pneumococcus). Vaccines stimulate the immune system to react as if there were a real infection. It fends off the "infection" and remembers the germ. Then, it can fight the germ if it enters the body later.

What Are the Types of Vaccines?

There are a few different types of vaccines. They include:

Attenuated (weakened) live germs are used in some vaccines such as in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox vaccines.

Killed (inactivated) germs are used in some vaccines, such as in the flu shot or the inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

Toxoid vaccines contain an inactivated toxin (harmful chemical) made by the germ. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are toxoid vaccines.

Conjugate vaccines contain small pieces of the germ combined with proteins that help trigger a strong immune response. Many commonly used vaccines are made this way, including those that protect against hepatitis B, HPV, whooping cough, and meningitis.

mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines use a piece of the germ’s RNA, which is part of its genetic material. Some of the COVID-19 vaccines are this type.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends that kids get combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible. Many vaccines are offered in combination to help lower the number of shots a child gets. This has been shown to be very safe. From the day a baby is born, their immune system is exposed to countless germs every day. A few more in a combination vaccine is very easy for the immune system to handle.

What Vaccines Do Kids Need?

The following vaccinations and schedules are recommended by the IAP. Some variations are normal, and recommendations change as new vaccines are developed. Your doctor will talk to you about the right vaccinations and schedule for your child.

    Indian Academy of Pediatrics schedule

Some of the vaccine are optional which are recommended for certain high risk children's. 

Vaccine Concerns:-

      Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated. They have questions or worry that a child might have a serious reaction or get the illness the vaccine prevents. But the components of vaccines are weakened or killed. In some cases, only parts of the germ are used. So they're unlikely to cause any serious illness.

Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or a fever. But serious reactions are rare. The risks of vaccinations are small compared with the health risks of the diseases they're intended to prevent.

Immunizations are one of the best means of protection against contagious diseases.

For any queries kindly contact me. Thank you. 

Age-by-Age Guide to Toys

How They Play: 0-12 Months

baby inspecting toy

For the first three months, your baby isn't able to do much more than observe her surroundings. Because her vision is still blurry, she sees bright, boldly patterned items best. "Toys don't have to be black and white so long as the colors contrast with each other,"As your baby grows, she'll enjoy toys that engage her other senses as well. That's why so many toys are designed to promote interaction in a variety of ways: They may make a squeaking or crinkling noise, have a nubby texture, and be soft and cuddly. Infants tend to mouth toys, and textured ones can help relieve teething pain.

Top Toys:

• Brightly colored, multipatterned crib mobiles (Note: Remove from crib once your baby can sit up)

• Rattles

• Unbreakable mirrors

• Floor gyms

• Activity boards

• Soft, washable, colorful stuffed animals or dolls with a smiling face

• Small stuffed fabric balls 

How They Play: 1-2 Years

playing with toy:

"Your baby is fascinated by cause and effect and will enjoy any toy that responds to his actions and makes use of newly acquired motor skills," For instance, he'll love toys that allow him to hit a ball with a hammer as well as toys with buttons that cause music to play or characters to pop up. Some high-tech toys for this age will name a letter, a shape, or a number when your baby presses a button. He's too young to actually learn his ABCs, but he'll still enjoy interacting with these toys and being exposed to language.

Top Toys:

• Stacking rings

• Nesting cups or boxes

• Push- or pull-toys that make noise or have pieces that pop up or move

• Hammering sets that let kids hammer pegs or balls through holes

• Simple, sturdy musical instruments like tambourines, drums, or maracas

• Shape sorters

• Large play vehicles, such as a school bus or a fire engine, plus plastic people that ride in them

• Puzzles with four or five pieces

• Rubber ducks or toy boats for bathtime.

Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers:

How They Play: 2-3 Years-

Your child's play is now more purposeful, and she has the fine motor skills needed to complete a puzzle or build with blocks by herself. She'll start to enjoy pretend play that imitates the actions of people around her. She'll like high-tech toys that make real-life sounds, such as telephones that ring or dolls that talk. No matter how politically correct you are, your child will probably play in a gender-stereotypical way—at least some of the time. A boy may use his dump truck to scoop up sand, while a girl might pretend to feed her doll and put it down for a nap. Boys and girls are both very active at this age and will still enjoy their push- and pull-toys. You can also introduce a ride-on toy: Start with one that your child can propel with both feet, and move up to a tricycle.

Top Toys:

• Dolls and stuffed animals

• Props for make-believe play, such as toy telephone, a tea-party set, a toy kitchen, or a doll stroller

• Ride-on toys and tricycles

• Musical instruments (especially popular are those with flashing lights on the keys that your child needs to press in order to play a tune)

• Large transportation toys with buttons to make a horn honk or a siren whistle

Puzzles

• Construction toys that snap together.

How They Play: 4-5 Years

 

There's a tremendous explosion in learning ability at this age, and it's a good time to introduce interactive educational toys that teach math and verbal skills, such as phonics boards or mini computers. "Choose toys that say positive things like 'Good job. Let's try again' instead of ones that make negative beeping noises whenever kids get an answer wrong,".Kids are now able to imagine that they're someone else and may fantasize about being airplane pilots, police officers, doctors, or teachers.

Top Toys:

• Art supplies and craft kits

• Blocks of different shapes

• Electronic phonics toys

• Construction sets with large pieces, such as Legos or Lincoln Logs

• Puzzles of greater complexity

• Action figures

• Barbies

• Dress-up clothes

• Transportation toys, such as parking garages, airports, and train stations.

How They Play: 6-7 Years

Your child is developing his own interests while learning from both his teachers and peers. Some kids like doing science experiments (with your help); others love making beaded jewelry or playing with dolls. Friends are becoming increasingly important, and your child will start asking for a particular toy (if he hasn't already) because "everyone else has it." This is the age when kids often become huge fans of computer games, but they also enjoy having their friends over to play sports, card games, and board games. Many like music-related toys, but the playing of actual instruments can still be difficult.

Top Toys:

• Remote-control cars

• Basic science kits

• Magnets, magnifying glasses, and telescopes

• Craft kits

• Barbies

• Game Boys

• Computer and video games

• Construction sets, such as Legos 

• Sports equipment

• Board games that involve strategy, including chess and checkers.

How They Play: 8+ Years

Kids this age enjoy outdoor sports as well as scooters, bicycles, and in-line skates. They acquire adult-like interests, abilities, and hobbies and may display a passion by becoming a collector. Girls still love doing crafts and writing in diaries, and boys find computer and video games irresistible. "These years are all about doing things that give kids a sense of mastery and competence,". "With computer and video games, kids can challenge themselves to get a better score than they did the time before," she says. "They enjoy competing with their friends, and you'll hear a lot of 'I got this score—what score did you get?' " Kids also like working on longer projects, some of which might take days to complete.

Top Toys:

• Computer and video games

• Craft kits

• More elaborate science kits

• Outdoor sporting equipment

• Intricate construction sets

• Board games like Scrabble, Monopoly. 

• Model kits