Parents universally wish for their babies to grow up healthy, yet they may not realize that some unintentional actions could harm their child's health or even endanger their life! Here are five "fears" during a baby's development that parents should be mindful of!
1. Making babies laugh while eating
Adults sometimes want to amuse babies during mealtimes! However, eating is a time when accidents can easily occur.Especially when feeding solid foods like rice, peanuts, candies, or jellies, never make them laugh. Babies can easily choke, and if food blocks their throat, it may cause suffocation. Years ago, there were cases of babies dying from choking on jelly. Parents should be highly vigilant.
II. Bathwater Too Hot
Babies have extremely delicate skin. Bathwater that is too hot can easily cause burns. As winter arrives, some parents fear their babies will catch a chill during baths and set the water temperature higher. In reality, bathwater should only be slightly warmer than body temperature. During winter, if the indoor temperature is moderate, water around 40°C (104°F) is sufficient.
III. Belly Exposure to Cold
The baby's belly requires special protection as it governs daily nutrient absorption. As the weather turns colder, prioritizing belly warmth is crucial. Exposure to cold can easily lead to diarrhea, indigestion, colds, or fevers. At night, when babies tend to kick off blankets while sleeping, parents can wrap a blanket around their belly.Unnecessary Winter Supplements
Folk tradition includes "winter tonics" around the winter solstice, where consuming beef or mutton is believed to ward off winter's chill. This practice lacks scientific basis. Beyond three balanced meals daily, babies simply need extra vegetables and fruits—no additional "tonics" are required.
V. Ill-fitting shoes
A Swiss study found that most preschoolers wear shoes that don't fit properly, leading to numerous cases of foot injuries.Indeed, ill-fitting shoes pose real risks to babies! We recommend selecting shoes based on foot size, width, and instep height as soon as your child begins walking. Since baby feet continue growing, choose shoes slightly larger than the current size to allow room for growth, but avoid sizes that are too big.
How to determine if shoes fit properly?
The ideal fit for baby shoes is when a parent can comfortably insert one finger between the shoe and the child's foot. Generally, baby shoes should be replaced every two sizes per year. Parents should regularly observe whether the child's toes appear red from pressure, if blisters form, if the child resists wearing shoes, or if the shoes seem too large. These are crucial indicators of proper fit.