421 Week 10

Shaelie Wood

Sister Swenson

March 10, 2017

421 Reflection Blog Week 10

            I felt so passionate about my major this week. I have truly enjoyed this class and appreciate all the application we are able to experience with this course. I felt strongly about how the gospel can help those that struggle with mental health issues or other disabilities. I know that our trials guide us and others around us. Trials lead us to the lord as we humbly accept his will over our own. Sometimes our life throws things at us that we may feel unprepared or anxious about dealing with, but the lord has been through it and he is prepared to help us get through it if we are. A lot of times people around us are the way God shows that he hasn’t forgotten about us. We need to be willing to accept help from others through hard and easy times. The lord has provided means for us to succeed regardless of disability. Resources are available, as we have an open mind we can be receptive of his helping hand.

Expert Interview:

ADRIA WOOD

1.     Has your background knowledge made you more or less concerned about Cato’s development?

a. I feel like my background in early childhood education has kept me calm in regards to Cato's development. It gave me a solid understanding that all children have different talents and different needs. That being said, they grow at different rates! I don't find myself getting too caught up in his comparison to other children his age.

2.     What resources do you use to know if Cato is delayed in any domain?

a. Since Cato's only 6 months old and hasn't shown any signs of delayed development, I haven't felt the need to use any resources. I guess you could say I've been using my education as a resource to recognize delayed development.

3.     How does your parenting differ from either sisters or friends with little or no child development background?

a. When compared to some, its evident that I have way more patience in my parenting. Others, I can tell I am more relaxed in my parenting. My major taught me the importance of meeting children where they are and not having unrealistic expectations. So instead of worrying about how my child compares to other children, and trying to force him to act a certain way or perform, i actually enjoy him more!

4.     What is an experience that you have had that you realized how grateful you were for your early childhood education background since having or anticipating Cato’s arrival?

a. So this is kind of embarrassing for my husband, Kaleb, and I don't say this to degrade him at all, he is the best of the best. but when Cato was just a few weeks old and still waking up several times throughout the night, Kaleb was getting frustrated with Cato as he changed his diaper because Cato was crying and wouldn't hold still. Obviously, when you're that sleep deprived, a lot of things are frustrating. I got out of bed and just suggested that instead of trying to be louder than Cato, he talk calmly. And instead of trying to rush through the change as quickly and forcefully as possible, I suggested he go slowly so as not to make Cato feel so "handled". He did it and Cato was quiet in seconds! I feel like from my major, I knew that an infant needs to be soothed and reassured because he's out of his element in those first few weeks.

5)    5. What area(s) of development do you feel Cato is advanced in for his age? Cognitive/ problem solving, Large motor, fine motor, social, or communication? What certain influences have had an effect on Cato being advanced in that particular area?

a.     I think Cato's pretty average all around. But if I were to say he excelled in one area it would be large motor skill. I think the fact that I let him play by himself and figure himself out instead of always holding him. He has always done tummy time for more than an hour each day. I think this has helped him develop physically.

What I Learned:

Adria is my cousins wife that graduated in early childhood education. She has worked in preschools and has experience with infant intervention. She recently had a baby six months ago. I wanted to interview her because I wanted to know not only how she has dealt with her son Cato’s development but how she does it as his mom rather than an interventionist. After talking, I realized that as an interventionist they are more concerned with development and more nit picky about little things infants do and don’t do. Because Adria has a background in intervention and education, she seems a lot more relaxed with Cato’s development, because she stressed how important it is that infants grow and develop at their own rate.

She has been able to apply what she has learned not just to Cato, but also to help her parenting and help her husband Kaleb to realize that a lot of things are perfectly normal about having a baby, and it is not an issue or problem with Cato when something doesn’t go perfect.

I thought it was interesting that she said Cato is advanced in Gross Motor Skills because she has provided him opportunities to do tummy time for a long time during the day. Adria has planned activities and little things to get Cato comfortable with developing his motor skills. She says because of his age it is harder to tell if he is advanced in other domains, but he is very talkative and makes lots of sounds. Both Kaleb and Adria are really good at communicating with Cato, they are constantly talking to him and acknowledging the sounds he makes. This will help him be advanced in communication as well as social and emotional skills.

I loved what Adria said about meeting children where they are rather than having unrealistic expectations. I have felt that some parents can be very pushy for their child to walk, crawl, and get toilet trained, yet every child will develop at their own rate- and Adria appreciates the little things that Cato does rather than getting frustrated with things he hasn’t mastered yet that other infants his age have.

Many parents and extended families overreact when children are not developing at the same rate as all the infants their same age, I like that Adria noticed that her background and experience has allowed her to be confident and calm rather than obsessive and anxious about Cato’s development.

  

Quote: “Wait means to hope, anticipate, and trust”-Sister Swenson

Waiting has such a bad connotation in todays world, but with a gospel perspective, waiting provides time to grow and ease into changes, and God allows his children to grow and rely on him more. A big part of trusting God is being patient with his timing. If we allow god to be at the helm of our lives we can be sure and confident that everything will happen at the right time.

HWD: How to Wean Child

http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/weaning/how-to-wean-your-child-from-breastfeeding/

Weaning Older Babies

If your baby is 9 months or older, it's best to wean directly to a cup so you don't have to deal with getting her off the bottle in a few months. And if your baby is older than 1 year old, wear complicated clothing -- such as a dress with a zipper down the back or a buttoned-up shirt -- to help her wean. Limit her nursing time and regularly comfort her with your undivided attention.

Prevent -- or Soothe -- Engorgement

Another reason to take it slow: Rapid weaning can cause engorgement. Why? Your milk ducts miss the memo that they need to reduce milk production -- and all that milk has nowhere to go. If you're engorged, soothe the pain with cool ice packs or acetaminophen. Or reach for your trusty breast pump -- you can serve the pumped milk in a bottle or mix it with your baby's cereal.

Understand Your Emotions

Your baby isn't the only one who has to adjust while weaning. You too must deal with a whirlwind of emotions -- some moms want their bodies back; others feel rejected when their baby passes up the breast. Though you may be pleased to end nursing once and for all, it's totally natural to feel pangs of nostalgia about your baby getting older. Your best bet? Embrace her independence, know that weaning is an emotional experience, and talk to other breastfeeding mothers who can relate.

Serve Up Nutrition

For baby's first foray into solid foods, most parents start with 1 teaspoon of single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal (such as rice cereal) mixed with 4-5 teaspoons of breast milk. Once she gets the hang of cereal, you can introduce pureed veggies, fruits, and meats. The AAP recommends trying one new food at a time and waiting at least 2-3 days before starting another to monitor any allergic reactions. Once she reaches 9-12 months old, your baby might enjoy small portions of finely chopped or mashed finger foods such as dry cereal or mashed graham crackers.