As printed in the Broward Family Resource Guide:
For many parents, a baby’s first birthday is one of the most enjoyable memories. A time to reflect on all the experiences you’ve shared from your baby’s first hug and all the way up to their first birthday. The first year of your baby’s life is filled with challenges and rewards parents never forget. There are many steps that parents can take to help their baby reach that very important milestone- their first birthday. These steps begin before the baby is even born.
A woman’s health decisions before she even becomes pregnant can impact the healthy development of her children. Preconception health is a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. One of the easiest ways women can prepare for a healthy pregnancy is to ensure they are consuming enough folic acid to aide in brain and spinal cord development. Multivitamins with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid should be taken as early as six months prior to becoming pregnant. Women should eliminate harmful substances such as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol from their bodies, make positive nutritional choices, and take steps to increase their overall physical fitness before they are pregnant to reduce the risk of developing various pregnancy complications.
Once a mom has received the wonderful news that she is expecting a new addition to the family, it is important to begin prenatal care before she is twelve weeks pregnant. Prenatal care monitors mom and baby for normal growth and development. This helps the obstetrician or midwife to identify potential problems before they become serious. In addition to medical monitoring, prenatal visits will also teach women about pregnancy and provide referrals to services for support such as WIC programs and childbirth education. Normally, prenatal visits occur once a month for the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, twice a month from 28 weeks to 36 weeks, and once a week from 36 weeks until birth. Women who have chronic medical conditions or high-risk pregnancies may be advised to visit their healthcare professional more frequently. Attending all prenatal appointments is one of the easiest steps a woman can take to help ensure her baby is born as healthy as possible.
Being healthy before conception and staying healthy while pregnant is a wonderful start to a new baby’s life. However, there are many more precautions parents can take after the birth of a baby to help them have an enriched first year of life and celebrate the 1st birthday milestone.
Hospital staff will educate new parents how to put a baby to sleep, but there are many common misconceptions that can raise risks to a new baby. The best way to remember safe sleep practices is to remember your ABC’s. Always put your baby on its’ back in a crib. Although many cultural traditions may suggest otherwise, it is important that a baby sleeps alone in a crib and not in a bed with an adult or other children. Co-sleeping can be dangerous to babies as adults or children may roll over on top of them, or a baby could suffocate because of loose blankets and pillows. The safest sleep space for a baby is in a crib with only a tight fitting crib sheet. Pillows and bumper pads also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)! Safe sleep conditions are very important to a baby’s first year of life, so remember your ABC’s!
Becoming a parent can be one of life’s greatest gifts. Give the gift of life to your baby by taking the necessary steps to ensure your little miracle is safe and healthy. While as parents there are many things out of our control, there are simple steps that one can take that may help reduce the risk that your baby may not reach their first birthday. Most importantly, the right preconception health decisions, comprehensive prenatal care and ensuring a safe sleep environment may help reduce the risk of experiencing a tragic loss. For every baby deserves to celebrate their first birthday.
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County, Inc. is a not-for-profit, community-based 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to reduce infant deaths by providing resources and education to pregnant women, parents and their families. Since 1987, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County has provided access to prenatal care, education, advocacy and public awareness for all families. |
