Some parents are concerned about the environmental impact of nappies. Research on this has produced varied results, some studies finding that disposables are environmentally unfriendly and others finding that they're not. Most of these studies have been done either by disposable nappy manufacturers or by interest groups promoting washable nappies — you can no doubt predict which groups reached what conclusion.
• Disposable nappies produce more waste.
• Disposables are made from pulped wood and use up a lot of trees.
• Disposables are mostly disposed of in landfill sites, which are rapidly filling up. In areas where there is no landfill site, the waste has to be transported. (Though in some areas, it's incinerated and that produces recoverable energy.)
• Washable nappies use electricity, which is produced by burning fossil fuels, which generates pollution.
• Washable nappies use detergent, which may pollute the water system.
• Washable nappies use up water.
• Growing cotton — from which most washable nappies are made — has an impact on the environment.
• Nappy services wash a lot of nappies together so use less electricity, water and detergent than individuals washing nappies at home.
What you will need
Disposables
• nappies (6—8 a day on average: more in the early days, fewer in later months)
• nappy disposal bags
• wrap and seal bin — if you want to use one
Washable nappies
• around 20-24 nappies
• pins or fasteners for terries
• nappy liners
• plastic pants
• one or two plastic buckets with lids
• nappy sterilising powder or other sterilising substance.
Monday, 20 January 2014
How to Find Your Childcare – Identifying Your Needs
Contact your local Social Services department for a list of registered childminders and nurseries.
Contact Nanny agencies and buy newspapers and relevant magazines for nannies, au pairs and mother's helps or advertise locally.
In order to make a choice about the best type of childcare for you, it is important to identify your needs, by asking yourself questions about the sort of life you lead, and how you see childcare fitting in. For example:
• Do you want childcare that is home based or do you prefer to drop her off somewhere?
• Do you want a mother-figure to care for your baby?
• Do you want some domestic help too?
• Is it important for your baby to be in a social environment?
• How much can you afford to,spend?
• Do you need flexibility in your childcare?
Whichever type of care you prefer, your baby will need:
• a special person or persons with whom she can form an attachment
• consistency of care from the same people
• and carers who will allow her to develop at her own pace.
Two heads are better than one
Your partner should be fully involved in the decision-making process, and meet any prospective carers with you. You should agree to an absolute veto if one of you doesn't like someone.
For your child's benefit and future security, all the adults in a child's life should get on well together, because there's no doubt that even if you think they don't know that your nanny or childminder grates on you or your partner, they will learn quickly and play one off against the other.
In the day nursery, look out for:
• a current certificate of registration
• a friendly, drop-in policy for parents
• plenty of evidence of productive play, such as children's pictures on the walls
• a flexible approach to your baby's routine
• a 'key worker' system
• evidence of staff with high morale, such as a low turnover and happy and motivated workers.
Contact Nanny agencies and buy newspapers and relevant magazines for nannies, au pairs and mother's helps or advertise locally.
In order to make a choice about the best type of childcare for you, it is important to identify your needs, by asking yourself questions about the sort of life you lead, and how you see childcare fitting in. For example:
• Do you want childcare that is home based or do you prefer to drop her off somewhere?
• Do you want a mother-figure to care for your baby?
• Do you want some domestic help too?
• Is it important for your baby to be in a social environment?
• How much can you afford to,spend?
• Do you need flexibility in your childcare?
Whichever type of care you prefer, your baby will need:
• a special person or persons with whom she can form an attachment
• consistency of care from the same people
• and carers who will allow her to develop at her own pace.
Two heads are better than one
Your partner should be fully involved in the decision-making process, and meet any prospective carers with you. You should agree to an absolute veto if one of you doesn't like someone.
For your child's benefit and future security, all the adults in a child's life should get on well together, because there's no doubt that even if you think they don't know that your nanny or childminder grates on you or your partner, they will learn quickly and play one off against the other.
In the day nursery, look out for:
• a current certificate of registration
• a friendly, drop-in policy for parents
• plenty of evidence of productive play, such as children's pictures on the walls
• a flexible approach to your baby's routine
• a 'key worker' system
• evidence of staff with high morale, such as a low turnover and happy and motivated workers.
Carrying Your Baby in the Right Way
If you put your finger in the palm of a new baby's hand, he will grasp it tightly. Although, unlike our early ancestors from whom this reflex is inherited, babies no longer need to be able to cling on to the hair on their mothers' bodies, they still have a strong need to be carried -something that we in our modern western society of buggies, car seats and bouncy chairs sometimes forget.
Babies are often at their most content when they're being held. Carrying your baby provides him with warmth and security, as well as giving him the reassurance of hearing the familiar sound of your heartbeat and feeling your familiar movements. It also allows him to be involved in what you're doing - even though it generally makes it more difficult to do it.
Some babies are only content when they're being held. They cry until they're picked up, and they cry again if they're put down. Swaddling them will sometimes fool them into thinking they're being held, but more often than not only physical contact will do. Parents develop their own strategies for handling a baby like this.
Many choose to do what parents have done for centuries the world over, and get a sling, so that they can give their baby the comfort of being carried while keeping their hands free to do other things.
Carrying your baby for what can seem like hours on end can undoubtedly be tiring. But if it makes your baby more content and relaxed, you're likely to feel content .and relaxed too; and at least you'll be using your energy in a positive way.
Babies are often at their most content when they're being held. Carrying your baby provides him with warmth and security, as well as giving him the reassurance of hearing the familiar sound of your heartbeat and feeling your familiar movements. It also allows him to be involved in what you're doing - even though it generally makes it more difficult to do it.
Some babies are only content when they're being held. They cry until they're picked up, and they cry again if they're put down. Swaddling them will sometimes fool them into thinking they're being held, but more often than not only physical contact will do. Parents develop their own strategies for handling a baby like this.
Many choose to do what parents have done for centuries the world over, and get a sling, so that they can give their baby the comfort of being carried while keeping their hands free to do other things.
Carrying your baby for what can seem like hours on end can undoubtedly be tiring. But if it makes your baby more content and relaxed, you're likely to feel content .and relaxed too; and at least you'll be using your energy in a positive way.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)