Understanding Infant Care

[jayjayqueenie]

Due to some family issues, my boy, now 7 months, will be sent to infant care.
I am rather concerned. What are the changes in my boy that I should be expected to see?
Before that he will be happily smiling at me each time I reach home.
He is always very delighted because there will be someone at home to play with him.
He is more than half a year old now and most likely able to recognise changes in his environment.
I feel his situation would definitely be different as he is not entering as a newborn.
Dear mummies could you advise what are the common things that I would see in my boy, first few weeks after infant care? Like more tired due to crying at the centre?

 

[ML Guan]

depends on which centre youre going to put him in . whats the teacher to infant ratio like ? This is a huge issue because the amt of resources the infant care centre has will affect how your baby copes with the new environment .

i also want to suggest if its possible to put him up with a nanny you can trust instead ?

 

[jayjayqueenie]

the teacher and baby ratio at the centre is 1 teacher is to 3 babies.
i have already registered with the centre.
just wondering what are the typical changes that i should expect in him..

 

[LenaF]

My 3-yr-old boy used to be in infant care for a short period. Not much changes except he slept better at night and more regularly also.. because I think he refused to / couldn't nap in the care centre. Probably feeling scared or not used to new environment.

 

[jayjayqueenie]

LenaF how long was your boy at infant care? from how old to how old?

 

[Stephanie Lim]

I sent my girl to infant care after my maternity leave.

Now she is turning 18 months soon.

I noticed that she gets tired after coming back in the evening. So perhaps that helps her to sleep better at night.

Afternoon nap at infant care became shorter with more intervals, unlike resting at home where there is no distraction at home such as other bb crying, making noise etc.

The plus point for sending children to infant or childcare is that, they develop social skills and not so shy towards meeting new people.

The degree of separation anxiety for infant is less intense than a toddler since most of the time they are sleeping for very young infants and the caretakers tend to pay more attention to crying bbs and will carry and coax them more than the quieter ones..

 

[LenaF]

LenaF how long was your boy at infant care? from how old to how old?

After maternity leave, my son was in infant care for a little more than a year. My mother-in-law retired after that so could take care of him. Even though I try my best to trust the people there, it's always better to keep the responsibility of care within the family.

 

[jayjayqueenie]

After maternity leave, my son was in infant care for a little more than a year. My mother-in-law retired after that so could take care of him. Even though I try my best to trust the people there, it's always better to keep the responsibility of care within the family.

same feeling.
unfortunately, my mil just had a heart attack and was hospitalized a few days ago. she almost passed away if she had not reached the a&e soon enough.

doctor advise her not to take care of my baby anymore. because while taking care, she had to carry my son which requires much from the little strength she has, due to her weak heart.

my own mother had to take care of my nephew.
this is the issue i have on hand.

 

[FHan]

Does anyone knows how infant care handles the breast milk that mothers provide for the infant ? I am using Dr. Brown bottles.

 

[mawby84]

Does anyone knows how infant care handles the breast milk that mothers provide for the infant ? I am using Dr. Brown bottles.

My girl is fed FBM with formula every feed, therefore I'll pack the FBM based on each portion i.e. she consumes 145ml now (105ml FM + 40ml EBM). Therefore, about 15 mins before each feed, the teacher will thaw 1 pack of FBM (40ml) and pour into the bottle and then mix in the FM. I'm using Dr. Brown bottles too. Though it could be more costly to use 1 milkbag for each feed but it would be more hygienic and easier for the teachers to manage. Hope this helps

 

[FHan]

My girl is fed FBM with formula every feed, therefore I'll pack the FBM based on each portion i.e. she consumes 145ml now (105ml FM + 40ml EBM). Therefore, about 15 mins before each feed, the teacher will thaw 1 pack of FBM (40ml) and pour into the bottle and then mix in the FM. I'm using Dr. Brown bottles too. Though it could be more costly to use 1 milkbag for each feed but it would be more hygienic and easier for the teachers to manage. Hope this helps

Thank you mawby84 ! Exactly what I was looking for ! Did you only provide 1 Dr. Brown bottle to the infant care ?

 

[mawby84]

Thank you mawby84 ! Exactly what I was looking for ! Did you only provide 1 Dr. Brown bottle to the infant care ?

Happy to share the info I've provided 2 bottles to the infantcare (just in case the bottle nipple crack or whatever, at least you dun have to rush down the infantcare to provide them with another bottle). If you could, provide the infantcare with seasoned bottle tits so that its easier for the teachers. In fact, the tedious part about infantcare isnt only preparation of the milk for next day's feed but also keeping track of the bedsheets, blanket, clothes for 6 days (if you are putting your baby there for 5.5 days) and diapers. Other than that, its misc items like baby wipes, ru yi oil, vaseline, baby oil etc.

 

[jayjayqueenie]

can pass to infant care ru yi oil?
oh I didn't know that.

my boy just started his 1st day of infant care today.
as 1st 3 days are observation days, he just reached home.
but currently napping quite thoroughly.
is it like this even in day time that they will sleep so long once back from ifc?

 

[mawby84]

can pass to infant care ru yi oil?
oh I didn't know that.

my boy just started his 1st day of infant care today.
as 1st 3 days are observation days, he just reached home.
but currently napping quite thoroughly.
is it like this even in day time that they will sleep so long once back from ifc?

yes, in fact on the 1st day of her infantcare, her teachers (as part of orientation) shared that the school provides johnson baby shower foam and baby lotion and asked if I would prefer to use my own or use the school's. They shared that I could bring whatever I used at home such as additional nappy cream, ru yi oil and vaseline. Yeah the 1st day, keep it within half a day. I slowly lengthen the duration til the 3rd day, I left her at the infantcare till 5pm.

Well, I noticed in the infantcare that the teachers constantly engages with the child through play, songs and massages. Like while the older ones (> 1 year) are singing away, the teacher would carry my girl and sit together with the rest in a circle to sing. Though my girl (at 5 months old) is too young to sing, she will 'make noise' to stay engaged with the cohort. I guess with these activities, the child stays awake most of the time unlike being at home where we go through sleep and eat (very little play), it helps them to sleep better when they are home.

I would confess that there are certain things you have to 'close 1 eye' about infantcare such as milk bottles not cleaned thoroughly or diapers not worn properly i.e. 1 side taped up and the other left hanging or mozzie bites (the infantcare my girl goes to is on the void deck). Go with your gut feel and feedback to the teachers if you feel certain things could be done better and try to make things work

 

[MTB-2015]

yes, in fact on the 1st day of her infantcare, her teachers (as part of orientation) shared that the school provides johnson baby shower foam and baby lotion and asked if I would prefer to use my own or use the school's. They shared that I could bring whatever I used at home such as additional nappy cream, ru yi oil and vaseline. Yeah the 1st day, keep it within half a day. I slowly lengthen the duration til the 3rd day, I left her at the infantcare till 5pm.

Well, I noticed in the infantcare that the teachers constantly engages with the child through play, songs and massages. Like while the older ones (> 1 year) are singing away, the teacher would carry my girl and sit together with the rest in a circle to sing. Though my girl (at 5 months old) is too young to sing, she will 'make noise' to stay engaged with the cohort. I guess with these activities, the child stays awake most of the time unlike being at home where we go through sleep and eat (very little play), it helps them to sleep better when they are home.

I would confess that there are certain things you have to 'close 1 eye' about infantcare such as milk bottles not cleaned thoroughly or diapers not worn properly i.e. 1 side taped up and the other left hanging or mozzie bites (the infantcare my girl goes to is on the void deck). Go with your gut feel and feedback to the teachers if you feel certain things could be done better and try to make things work

Hi,

My EDD is in May, should I start to register with infantcare center now? When is the good time to send baby to IFC ? 3 months old?
TIA!

 

[jayjayqueenie]

Hi,

My EDD is in May, should I start to register with infantcare center now? When is the good time to send baby to IFC ? 3 months old?
TIA!

i remember my friend entered the waiting list since 3m pregnant. this is for the more popular centres.

my boy has been under different caregivers so he is not really shy of different faces seeing him. hence i do not regret placing him in ifc only now (9m+).

but if u r in different case from mine, i suggest the earlier the better, which is 2m onwards. so that he can get used to the environment earlier. and also i am not sure if some centres can wait for u if u register first and request to place bb in later.

ytd actually my boy had a bump on his head. my hb is very concerned. but my opinion is to continue to monitor first as i feel my boy is very active. i am not surprised about bumps here n there as long as its not at the back of his head.

 

[mawby84]

My EDD is in May, should I start to register with infantcare center now? When is the good time to send baby to IFC ? 3 months old?
TIA!

Hello, the registration process for different infantcare differs. Generally, the highly demanded privately run ones will put you on waiting list and other private (not fully subscribed ones) will request a 1 month deposit upon registration. For government run ones, normally they will allow registration 1 month before child starts infantcare. So it really depends on which infantcare you want to register with and do so accordingly. For me, I placed my girl in infantcare right after she turned 2 months old. As I found it pretty tough to manage house chores, errands and caring for her 24/7. I did not have a confinement lady and took care of her on my own. If possible, it might be good to put your child into infantcare earlier, just in case you find this centre not suitable, you will still have enough time to source for an alternative before you return to work.

 

[purplewhite]

I place my kids at ifc when they are 3 mths old. So that I can have a break for myself. They learn things very fast there. Only bad thing is fall sick easily.

 

[iamnewmummy]

Any tips to boost the kid's immune system?

 

[mawby84]

Any tips to boost the kid's immune system?

Breastmilk is the best immunity for the baby. There are oral vitamins available at pharmacies as well.

 

[jayjayqueenie]

not really. my friend's bb is on bm and still fall sick often. we just do our best. just like how a mother's job never ends.

when bb reaches home...try bathe him/her another time. i sterilize his bottles everytime.

happy baby is also a healthy baby.

of course i do suggest bf mothers to continue taking enough multi vits n minerals. for fm the powder is already very rich so tking more supps for bb might actually be harmful.