by Every child is special and close to a mother’s heart. But, due to some unavoidable situations, the mother is forced to leave her little one in the hands of the best infant care near to you. The professional setup may be best and could offer good care, but the mother will always be worried about the safety of the little one. Preparing the infant and yourself will lessen the stress and make it easier for both parties (mother and child).
This blog will provide you with ways to prepare the child and mother for their first day of infant care and ways to lessen the stress for the child.
What is an infant care centre?
An infant care centre offers a caring, nurturing, and safe environment for infants and toddlers aged between two and eighteen months. These centres offer a baby development programme that aims to meet the infant’s physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs. The trained caregiver is generally sensitive to the child’s needs and cues.
Well-planned infant care provides a stimulating environment along with learning and developmental opportunities. A pleasant environment creates a sense of well-being and provides a purpose for caregivers, infants, and their families. The designers of such a setup understand its sensitivity and hence avoid bold colours, patterns, and posters. They ensure that the area is safe and pleasant for the child to grow in.
If you are still in the process of zeroing in on the best infant care in Singapore for your little one, consider if the centre is
- Safe
- Healthy
- Pleasant
- Comfortable
- Convenient
- Encourage movement
- Designed to be flexible and facilitate choice
You can also check if the infant care facility provides separate space for the following activities:
- Rest and napping
- Toileting and washing up
- Feeding and food preparation
- Learning and skill development
- Peer play
How do you prepare the child for infant care?
Preparing the child and yourself for infant care helps, as it eases out the stress. A few things that you can do for an easy transition include:
Visit the infant care centre beforehand
If you are able to, you can plan a visit to the baby development programme centre with your infant. Spend some time in the centre, at the playground, classroom, or room specified for infant care. This act will help in familiarising the place.
Meet the teacher or caregiver
You can ask the authorities to meet the primary caregiver. One-on-one interaction will help you get to know the person as an individual, thus boosting your confidence. You can also discuss your concerns and share a few tips for better infant care.
An interaction with the caregiver will help them be prepared for the major change in their life.
Read about the first day of school
You can pick up books about infant care preparedness, or you can search the internet for ways to prepare yourself and the infant. It will help you make the transition fun and enjoyable.
Go shopping together
During the discussion with the primary caregiver, you can make a list of items that you would need for your infant. You can shop with your little one; it will help them become familiar with the things they carry to their care centre.
Share your experience
You can read stories to your infant, irrespective of their age. You can share your experience too. This will help the infant or toddler understand that it is normal for the child to be in infant care. They will be able to relate that it is part of a growing process.
Roleplay
During their playtime, you can practise roleplay with your child, if the infant is big enough to do so. You can also be the child and ask your little one to be the caregiver. It will help them understand the process and feel comfortable in the professional care centre.
Plan a playdate
If possible, you can get in touch with other infants’ parents at the same infant care centre. Plan a playdate for the kids so they can spend time with each other. Staying together will help them settle down in the centre.
You should pack milk (breast or formula), solid food (if you have started solids), and their favourite toy. You can look for ways to prepare yourself for infant school.
Prepare yourself and your infant for an easy transition. You need to lay strong foundations for them to be happy and confident. The best infant care in Singapore will teach them life skills, which are the foundation for their lives.
