Working with babies from birth to 12 months
E1-Summarise the factors which may influence the health and development of babies in the first year of their lives
Environmental factors such as not having enough space in the garden for the baby to play and explore will influence their development as they may not be able to expand their gross and fine motor skills. “Generally, people with a high level of earnings enjoy a better lifestyle, with better housing, food, clothes and own transport.” Parents may not have enough money to buy toys and the essential equipment for the baby, which means they will have different experiences.
Another factor could be the parents own experiences of being parented were compromised and have difficulties parenting their children. Having good role models as parents impacts on the parents were going to become.
Another reason could be the financial climate rising, so parents have to return to work sooner after birth. This has a knock on effect when bonding with the baby e.g. not being able to breastfeeding or spending quality time together. Thus putting strain on the parent/child relationship. Finding appropriate supervision, long working hours, tired, stressed all these factors have effect.
Another factor is genetics which may influence the health and development of the baby. Some illnesses are inherited through genes. For example Down’s syndrome, this is resulted from a chromosomal abnormality. The baby can have problems such as heart defects and chest infections. http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/birthdefects_chromosomal.html accessed on the 27th January 2012
Illnesses such as meningitis can cause epilepsy and hearing problems, whilst asthma is long term and the baby may need to have asthma pumps. The baby may have a poor appetite, constipation and feel ill.
Their weight and height may be below average, if they have not been developing correctly due to illness.
Antenatal factors influence development