Episode 1: Premature babies

Amelia's Development at 3 months:

Posture:

Pulled to sit - little or no head lag
Held sitting - back is straight except in lumbar region
Holds head erect and steady for several seconds before bobbing forwards
Placed prone - lifts head and upper chest well up in midline using forearms to support
Held standing with feet on hard surface. Sags at knees.

Vision: 6-12"

Follows moving ball in horizontal plane
Follows moving ball in vertical plane
Holds toy but cannot yet co-ordinate hand and eyes - may move rattle towards his face bashing his chin
Watches movement of own hands before face and engages finger play
Recognises feeding bottle and makes eager welcoming movements as it approaches face.

Hearing and speech:

Sudden loud noises still distress provoking blinking, screwing up face - crying and turning away.
Vocalises delightedly when spoken to, also when alone.
Quietens to sound of spoon in a cup at 6-12" on level with ear.
May turn eyes or head towards sound source
Sucks or licks lips in response to sounds of preparation for feeding

Social and play

Fixes eyes on mothers face when feeding
now enjoys bath and caring routines
Peek a boo - helps a baby to learn that Mammy is still there even if she can't be seen.
Where's teddy - helps a baby to learn when something is moved it can be found by looking for it.
Stimulated or neglected
quiet and understanding child - "good child"
demanding child - compels his parents to stimulate him
Children need structured stimulation to develop their talents.

Starting solids

Amelia, twins, Pater and Jake

Not before 12 weeks, preferably 16 weeks
Know when she is drinking to full capacity at each feed - starts to demand more milk maybe a sixth feed having been quite content on five
Start with semi-liquid smooth creamy consistency i.e. unsweetened purees of bananas, pears, peaches, potatoes, carrots, gluten free rice cereal
"First foods" - manufactured are available. Better to make up your own and cheaper.
Pureed vegetable soups - easy to make
No wheat or dairy products before 1 year. No low fat foods, increase in sugar and salt, no gluten (protein in wheat-rye) before 1 year.
1 or 2 teaspoons at midday - give half the bottle first to satisfy hunger then the teaspoon of creamy solids
Use a small spoon, sit baby upright and place it gently between the baby's lips so she can suck the food off.
Don't push spoon in far as she may gag on the unexpected food on the back of the tongue.

Tips:

Owe food for several days
Cereal once a day
Avoid manufactured ready mixed foods
Plenty of kitchen paper - messy
Once the baby accepts 2 different solids then introduce textures
As the year goes on, she will be able to deal with mashed or chopped and will enjoy chewing
Thirsty - plain water or diluted fresh fruit juice - no commercial drinks containing sugar and colourings
Iron - red meat, baked beans, eggs, green vegs
Vitamin C - kiwi with iron meals
White fish - low in fat, high in protein
Oily fish - salmon and tuna - Omega 3 fatty acids essential for healthy cell function in brain, greater problem solving ability
Snacks - slow release energy foods - banana, baked beans
Disguise - give options
Don't reheat foods
Don't use jars - saliva from spoon introduce bacteria to jar
Don't buy anything with added sugar, salt, modified starch or monosodium glutamate
Don't give your child: whole nuts, popcorn, rough wholemeal bread, small pieces of raw fruit or veg, sugary drinks

John and Mandy with Amelia

Amelia in incubator

Series 1: Programme Archive