Infant Model Classroom training video 5 Feeding

Summary

Tracey Cheney, the VP of Education and Compliance, shares her 25 years of experience in infant care. The video emphasizes the importance of engaging parents and teachers in the feeding process, making the most of caregiving routines for teachable moments. It outlines the process of introducing new foods with parental consent, starting the day with a conversation to plan feeding and napping schedules, and using the Infant Daily Log for record-keeping. The script details the feeding practices, including bottle feeding at the parent's specified temperature, never reheating bottles, and feeding infants in appropriate environments. It also discusses the transition to sippy cups and finger foods around six to nine months, and the progression of feeding skills from being fed to self-feeding, with the support of teachers and parents.

Takeaways

• 👶 Feeding infants involves careful planning and coordination between teachers and parents.
• 👀 Teachers should make eye contact and engage with the infant while feeding to ensure a nurturing environment.
• 🗣️ Communication with parents about new foods and feeding schedules is crucial for consistency and safety.
• 📋 The Infant Daily Log is essential for recording all feedings and naps, helping to keep track of each child's needs throughout the day.
• 🤝 Morning check-ins with parents set the tone for the day and help plan the baby's feeding and napping schedules.
• 🍼 Bottles should be heated to the parent's specified temperature, and bottle feeding practices must follow strict guidelines, including not using microwaves.
• 🧼 After feeding, bottles are rinsed and returned to diaper bags for parents to clean at home. Bottles must not be reheated.
• 👶 Babies unable to hold their bottles should be held during feeding, while those who can hold bottles can be fed in highchairs or infant seats.
• 🍽️ Introducing infants to different textures early on helps them transition to finger foods and self-feeding.
• 🥄 Teachers assist infants with finger feeding and using utensils as they grow, ensuring food is cut into small, chewable pieces.

Q & A

Who is Tracey Cheney and what is her role?

Tracey Cheney is the VP of Education and Compliance, and she has had the pleasure of working with Mary Ann for over 25 years.

What is the importance of making eye contact while feeding a baby in a classroom setting?

Making eye contact while feeding a baby is important because it allows the teacher to engage with the child and observe the other children in the classroom, creating a nurturing and attentive environment.

Why is it necessary to consult with parents before introducing new foods to a child?

Consulting with parents before introducing new foods ensures that the child's dietary preferences and restrictions are respected, and it helps in maintaining open communication with parents about their child's eating habits.

What is the significance of engaging parents in a conversation at the beginning of the day?

Engaging parents in a conversation at arrival time sets the tone for the day and helps in gathering crucial information about the baby's feeding and napping schedules, which is essential for planning and providing appropriate care.

What is the purpose of the infant daily log and how is it used?

The infant daily log is a form used by infant teachers to record all of the babies' feedings and naps throughout the day. It is a go-to resource for teachers and is also communicated to parents at departure time to give them a clear picture of their child's day.

Why is it required to fill out the infant daily log in its entirety each day?

The infant daily log must be filled out in its entirety each day as it is a requirement by DCYF licensing regulations, ensuring that all necessary information about the child's day is documented and communicated.

How should breast milk be stored and labeled in the classroom?

Breast milk should be stored in either the refrigerator or freezer and marked with the child's name and date to ensure proper identification and safety.

What are the guidelines for bottle feeding babies in the classroom?

Babies are fed bottles at the temperature specified by the parent, with a minimum of four bottles brought in per day. Bottles should be heated in a bottle warmer, not a microwave, and must be shaken before checking the fluid temperature. Bottles should never be reheated and are not to be fed with food or medications.

Why are bottles not given to children in certain pieces of equipment like exersaucers or swings?

Bottles are not given to children in exersaucers, swings, Bumbo seats, or any other piece of equipment except a high chair or infancy chair to ensure the child's safety and to promote proper feeding habits.

How does the introduction of textures and finger foods help infants transition to more advanced feeding stages?

Introducing infants to different textures and finger foods early on helps them transition more easily to more advanced feeding stages, such as self-feeding and using utensils, by familiarizing them with various consistencies and types of food.

What is the recommended age to start transitioning children to a sippy cup according to the American Academy of Pediatrics?

The recommended age to start transitioning children to a sippy cup is approximately six to nine months, as per the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.