Placing your baby in an infant-care centre comes at a price – literally. But he benefits from the stimulation in a safe environment, say the experts.
Placing your baby in an infant-care centre comes at a price – literally. But he benefits from the stimulation in a safe environment, say the experts.
Isn’t infant care like hiring a babysitter or a maid, just more expensive? Many people mistake infant care for a babysitting service that provides routine care like diapering and feeding, and think it’s handled by nannies without much training, says Jamie Loh, principal of Learning Vision @ Kent Ridge infantand childcare centre. In reality, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) requires infant-care educarers to be certified in infant and toddler care, be trained in first aid and have at least two years’ experience in a childcare or preschool setting.
This gives you peace of mind at work, knowing that your little one will be in good hands, says Charlotte Wong, senior business manager of Kinderland Educare Services. There is support among the staff, compared to a babysitter or a maid who’s alone. You also won’t have to worry about how clean or safe the babysitter’s home environment is. “Centres are equipped with safe and ageappropriate play equipment or climbing structures to promote physical activities,” Charlotte adds. A bonus: You’ll make friends with other parents whose babies are enrolled in the centre.
Will my little one get enough attention? ECDA stipulates that there should be one educarer for every five children. But many centres offer more individualised attention. In fact, a key advantage of infant care is the lively and dynamic learning environment. Your child will enjoy ageappropriate activities such as stories, songs and music. This means he has the stimulation he needs to develop well. Baby will also hone social skills while playing with his peers at the centre – a plus point, since most children grow up in small families. Some parents also worry that their kid will get hungry during the day, Jamie notes, but good centres have regular feeding schedules and routines.
I heard that babies in infant care fall sick easily. What can I do to boost his immunity? Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed! The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, and continued breastfeeding while introducing solids up to age two, says Dr Natalie Epton, specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at the International Paediatric Clinic. Also ensure that your baby has good nutrition and rest. At four months, he needs around 16 hours of sleep a day (from 7pm to 7am, and two two-hour naps). Infections in early childhood are part of acquiring a healthy immune system, she points out. It is normal to have approximately 12 infections (or one a month) in his first year of life. Yet, it has also been proven that placing a baby in an infant-care centre from an early age can improve his immunity in the long-term, Dr Epton adds. This may reduce the risk of certain childhood cancers, such as leukaemia, by up to 30 per cent.
When should I start my search? From the second trimester of your pregnancy, Charlotte suggests. This is especially so if the centre is a popular one or is located in an area with high demand. Visit www.childcarelink.gov.sg to shortlist centres near your home or office. Attend their open houses or ask to visit, Jamie advises. This will give you a better understanding of the type of programmes available, so you can make an informed decision.
I’m feeling nervous about handing Baby over to strangers. How can I ease the separation anxiety? Your emotions can directly affect your little one, so it’s vital to rein in your anxiety and make sure you send him off in a happy mood. Tell yourself that infant care will benefit him, suggests Jamie. Follow these suggestions to ease the transition:
1 MONTH BEFORE Introduce bottlefeeding if you’ve not done so. Offer him milk in a bottle at least once a day Prepare the items needed. You can usually get a comprehensive list from the centre, but do also check your e-mail regularly for updates.
1 DAY BEFORE Do a final check to see that you’ve packed everything, especially his milk (whether expressed breast milk or formula), and that all items are labelled to prevent loss or confusion.
ON THE BIG DAY While the infant educarers settle Junior in, plan a short activity to keep your nerves at bay. If he’s eight months or older, plan to stay for half a day as you and your child get to know the staff better and familiarise them with his routine. Get to know at least one or two educarers by name so that you can speak directly to someone the next time or address concerns easily.
1 WEEK AFTER Pat yourself on the back and smile: you and Baby have survived a week! Check with his educarer regularly to monitor his progress in the next few months.
