Acting like a baby
Education and planning should start before birth, Khan said. If either parent-to-be is smoking, doing drugs or drinking alcohol, they need to stop.

Mothers need to seek medical attention from the onset of pregnancy rather than just showing up at the hospital with labor pains.

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas offers a free, comprehensive program designed to help expectant mothers take care of themselves and their growing babies. The program, called Special Beginnings, includes a pregnancy-risk assessment, a packet full of congratulatory gifts, pregnancy-related educational materials, and personal telephone contact with an obstetrical nurse.

To enroll in Special Beginnings, or for more information, call (800) 462-3275.

Proper care for the baby is just as important after birth. Immunizations given at the appropriate time protect children from many serious diseases, Khan said.

The first two years is when children need the most care because they develop more than during any other time after leaving the womb, he said.

Babies triple their birth weight in 12 months, and their blood has to triple in volume. That’s why infants need lots of iron in their first year.

A 10- to 12-month-old will be crawling, getting into things, and single-mindedly ignoring you when you tell her not to do something, Guliex said.

But that’s also the age when they’re developing their personality. They’re fun to play with and entertaining to watch, she said.

“They turn your gray skies blue.”

Healthy, wealthy and wise
As the child grows, parents need to provide a healthy diet and encourage exercise. Their pediatrician will help. Another resource, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommends starting new foods one at a time to make it easier to identify problem foods. Serve iron-rich foods such as grains, cereals and meats to children 2 and under, and don’t give honey to infants. Do not limit fat during the first two years, but after that encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

Khan warns parents not to give infants under 12 months cow’s milk. In 50 percent of children, cow’s milk causes ulcers in the intestines, and the children lose about one teaspoon of blood in their stool each day. This can lead to anemia. Cow’s milk has also been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and heavy mucus.

The Web site, KidsHealth for Parents, says parents’ eating healthy foods is the best encouragement for children to eat healthy. The site also recommends giving children choices for dinner but limiting the available foods.

Like adults, children should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Plan physical activities with family or friends, and limit TV to less than two hours per day. Also, look into school and community exercise and sports programs.

Guliex’s baby, Chris-Jean’a, is now 9 years old and big sister to three sisters and a brother.

With five children in the house, Guliex said good hygiene is important. She constantly reminds her children to wash their hands and cover their mouths when they sneeze. Otherwise, one will sneeze and then play with a toy. Then the others play with that toy, and soon everyone has the sniffles.

Continued
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