Saturday, August 21, 2010

Any and all advice for someone who recently and unexpectedly came to care for a nine month old?

I am somewhat familiar with him and some of his habits, and know the basics of baby care, but this isnt like starting with a new baby and learning as you go...he has his own ideals already of how things should go and doesnt like for me to change them! I have so many questions to ask...but thought it might be best to simply ask for general advice and go from there.Any and all advice for someone who recently and unexpectedly came to care for a nine month old?
You really need to be more specific. There are so many things to say. He should be eating solid foods, three times a day. Baby food sweet potatoes, peas, apple sauce, etc. He should still be drinking formula as well. Naps can vary from once to twice a day from 30 min. to 1 hour long. He is starting to get more independent now so get have some safe baby toys for him to play with and let him explore. Make sure he spends time on his tummy so he learns to crawl. Read to him for 30 min. a day. Talk to him constantly (even if you feel silly) he needs to learn to talk. Get some kiddy CDs and sing and dance with him. THESE ARE JUST BASICS, there is so much more.





You should pick up the book, What to Expect the First Year.


link:http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-First-鈥?/a>


This book has helped me out tremendously. It take you month by month and tells you what your baby should be doing.





Good Luck, if you have any more questions feel free to email me.Any and all advice for someone who recently and unexpectedly came to care for a nine month old?
first of all, God bless you! you are in the middle of a serious life change and you can do it.





second of all, remember: you are the adult. the baby is the baby. he may not like 'change', but you get to make the rules based on what is best for him and your new family. once he realizes who is really in charge, he'll roll with it.





and plenty of hugs never hurts either. good luck to you both
If you are somewhat familiar with the child and his habits then all you really have to do is ease new ideas around him I bet he'll catch on quick. I do in home child care and it simply amazes me at the differences in children. When I get a new child I nuture them gently as I watch and learn there ways and I am always able to work with the child.
Kids thrive on routine. He has one already that he's used to, but as long as you set up one and stick to it, he will soon adhere to it as well.





He will feel disoriented and upset for a while, but in a few days, or a couple weeks, that same routine will kick in, and he will be all better.





Same stuff, same time, same way, even the same smells. It really helps them more than anything else.
What you should do is try and get him on a routine similar to yours its going to be tough considering you haven't had him since day one. It may take several weeks but get him up in the morning try to at the same time if you can.. Try to feed him at the same time each day like 8 for breakfast 12 for lunch 4 for a snack 730 for dinner. 8 or 9 abath and then like 10 for bed. you kind of have to compromise. When he gets into stuff that you don't want him to tell him no untill he knows what the word means if he already doesn't. Bottle to bed rule is very hard to break period. I suggest giving him a sippy cup and trying to break him all together. If you can get him in a routine which is a little tough then you can break him from habits and other things that he does that you don't want him to. Good luck hope it all works out for you.
Relax and take your time getting to know each other better as you spend more time together. It's almost like when a newborn comes into the family--you all need time to adjust to each other (whether we think about it or not, that baby was perfectly happy with their own life and routine in utero before we met them).





If there are things you know that the baby already prefers, go ahead and do those the way he's used to them to help him adjust. Otherwise, have fun discovering the best way for the two of you to operate, it will go fine.
Remember that whatever brought him to your care had to have been traumatic for the baby, who is old enough to realize that someone is missing who was there before. Stick to familiar routines for now. As he gets older and is ready for change you can do things your way. Your role right now is to make him feel as secure as possible.
Nine months old is still very, very young. Don't be shy to change his habits, particularly if they are not very good ones or even if they just don't fit in with your parenting style. He is probably trying to stand up on his own already or soon. Baby-proofing your environment will be a big thing.





If changing something is your issue, then add something positive (a toy, extra affection and verbal praise or a baby cookie once in a while) with the changed behaviour. The child has to adapt to you as much as you have to adapt to him.





Oh, and I imagine you are probably having to deal with such things as diaper rash and fevers sometimes, as well as what vaccinations he may still be needing. Read up on all those things or talk to the child's doctor. Actually, there are some really great books out there on what to expect at each stage of a baby's / child's life. I would encourage you to buy some books or check some out the local library.
Make gradual changes. That will be easiest for him to adapt, and you will get things running smoothly eventually.
From experience...a 9 month old doesnt care who is loving him, as long as he's being loved. He wont miss his former parents...ive seen this too many times. Even after parental visitations, babies this age could care less that their parents are gone, as long as they have a loving person there for them.





First of all, dont think a 9 month old is set in his ways. In a couple days, he'll be doing things the way you want him too. You can make the schedule for the most parts.





He should be on 1-2 naps a day.





Bath every other day or so, unless hes sweaty or some other way obviously dirty. I still bathe mine every day, but most dont.





Formula: about 32 oz a day.





He can eat baby food, or you can puree your own food, finely in a chopper or blender. (non spicy, not high in fat)





He is probably teething, have teething rings, oragel (most babies hate it), infant tylenol. Know his weight for when he needs the infant tylenol.





My babies liked holding onto a cold pickle to chew on, felt good for their gums...hehe





Let him fall asleep on his own. Dont get in the rut of rocking or bottles to sleep.





And now im lost for ideas. I know how you are feeling, I was a foster parent for 13 kids, 4 of which were under 12 months when I got them...but I had no idea of them at all. It'll be ok...
yeah just swing it...he wants it the way he is used to...you just need to figure out what works for the both of you..every kid is different..but most babies at nine months love to play patty cake and have you tickle them etc..so cuddle him..the serious stuff is..make sure you have an appropriate carseat..a highchair..watch him when he is in the tub at all times..give him a popsicle with just a small corner cut so he cant choke on the ice..but yet gets just a little taste if he is teething..try to make a nighttime routine with him...and stick too it..read him a book in the same seat with the lights a little lower..so he gets into a routine with you...and most importantly good luck

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