In Malaysia, if you are a parent, you will receive a book to bring your little one to visit to government clinic. This book is ‘REKOD KESIHATAN BAYI DAN KANAK-KANAK (0- 6 TAHUN).

How many of you who received this book has gone through thoroughly? Or, it is just a book for you to bring to the clinic and get the vaccination and for registration to school later?

If you have read through this book, you will notice there is this chapter talking about parents’ guidelines (Panduan Ibu Bapa/ Penjaga). This is very helpful and informative to parents.

There are a few points I would like to highlight about this chapter:

• Milestones
  • It guides us on the child’s milestones and lets us keep track by filling in the age of the child when he or she achieves the milestones.

• Breastfeeding
  • It shows us the proper position of feeding, and a few important notes such as milk is the only intake for baby within the first six months, do not mix oats or other food to milk before 6 months old, clean baby’s mouth upon feeding. And it also includes the burping method and milk storage method.

• Dos and Don’ts
  • For example, put your sleeping baby on his/her back, do not offer a pacifier, do not sunbathe your baby because of jaundice, do not shake your baby, etc.

• Home safety
  • When your baby becomes mobile, there are tips to protect your baby from harm by indicating the possible dangers at home.

• Signs and symptoms
  • It shows the symptoms that parents can discover to signal a medical emergency

• Guidelines to parents or guardians
  • spend quality time with child
  • reinforce positive behavior
  • Set family household rules
  • Do not tolerate with child’s bad behavior
  • guide and encourage the child to make a decision by giving limited options
  • Zero screen time before 2-year-old and limited screen time for children above 2-year-old
  • Create a healthy habit of teeth cleaning
  • Teach your child the skills to prevent sexual abuse

• Diet
  • Do not give water to breastfeeding baby before the six months.
  • By the time baby is about 6 months of age, start introducing solids by offering small amounts once a day and increase gradually by increasing the amount and provide variety
  • Avoid salt and sugar at least until the baby turns one year old
  • Processed foods should not be givens as they contain high amount of salt, sugars, and seasonings
  • Do not allow child to fill up on snacks before mealtimes
  • Set up a mealtime schedule and eat at consistent times each day
  • Screen-free mealtime
  • Encourage the child to eat fruit and vegetables, and drink plain water rather than sugary beverage