Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Reply to post of crying infants

    Posted 02-06-2019 12:16 PM
    I'm just learning how to use this discussion site so I apologize if I'm doing this wrong.  I wanted to reply to the post about crying infants.  I too work with the young infants and I'm finding that it helps to place them in such a way that they can see you when you are taking care of the other infants. I'm also finding that sitting by them on the floor as much as possible helps as well.  Talking too them when on the floor helps too.  It's a tough transition when these young infants get separated from their parents for the first time.  Patience is important.

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    Janine Militzer
    W Milwaukee WI
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  • 2.  RE: Reply to post of crying infants

    Posted 02-07-2019 10:54 AM
    Hello,

    I was the director of an infant/toddler parent education program and also the director child development of a residential home for about 100 teen mothers.  I agree with making sure they can see you and know where you are as well as being able to see other children in the room.  I found that some mothers were quite resistant to putting their infant on the floor.  It seemed to dirty and conflicted with their cultural understanding about what was good for their baby.  It took a lot of reassurance and support for the mothers to understand the benefits of floor time.  I found I just needed to make sure I explained my actions and the reasons for it.  Made sure they understood the measures I took to make sure they area was clean and that there were real benefits.

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    [Cary [Larson-McKay, PhD]
    [Past President, California AEYC]
    [Consultant, Wonder Strength]
    [Morro Bay] [CA]
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Reply to post of crying infants

    Posted 02-07-2019 12:29 PM
    I have actually found the same thing to be with the infant at their physical level like the floor is helpful. Creating as many floor activities as possible. such as a sheltered; soothing area where cutouts of butterflies or birds are hung like a mobile ( not accessible for them to pull down or grab) and the baby or babies have the option to look up and watch the mobile or to even look out over at the other infants or children in play. Something simple like sensory stim if at sitting up <g class="gr_ gr_709 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="709" data-gr-id="709">stage</g> ...put them in a "baby chair " with a tray <g class="gr_ gr_779 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="779" data-gr-id="779">watch</g> them closely but let them play with whipped cream. It smells like milk ( yay mom); tastes good and is great fun to play with and watch them giggle and gurgle. Getting them to sit in the baby chair may be challenging if they are already in a disagreeable state but let them taste the whipping cream off your clean baby finger ( as long as no allergies or intolerances) and watch you sprinkle ( spritz) it on the tray and then say "your turn".  Some ideas for calming infants. Hope this is helpful.
    Miriam  <g class="gr_ gr_2033 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="2033" data-gr-id="2033">Mississauaga</g>, ON Canada

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    [Miriam] [Melamed]
    [Art Sociologist/Education Consultant/Conceptual Designer]

    [Mississauga] [Ontario][
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    Original Message