Khalid and Sasha have decided that Ahmad will be raised as a
Muslim. Sasha feels strongly about environmental issues, and she and Khalid
have agreed to use natural products as much as possible with Ahmad. This will
include using cloth diapers instead of disposables. Sasha also feels strongly
about breastfeeding and plans to do so for as long possible.
Ahmad was born without complication or incident, and mother
and child returned home shortly after birth. Sasha took on the bulk of the
caregiving, although Khalid supported the two by cooking and making sure all of
the household needs were well-managed. In fact, Sasha and Khalid enjoyed
significant time together with Ahmad, and he developed a secure attachment with
each parent.
As Ahmad grew and flourished, it came time for Sasha to
return to work. Khalid and Sasha were uncertain about putting Ahmad in day
care, and they debated about it for some time. Khalid was able to stay home
with Ahmad, but Sasha thought that interacting with other children would also
be important, even at his young age.
* Why might someone choose to use cloth diapers instead of
disposable diapers?
* Given that Sasha does not practice Islam, what challenges
are likely to be associated with their decision to raise Ahmad as a Muslim? Do
you foresee any conflicts between Khalid and Sasha? Provide research data
regarding child rearing in households where religion differs between partners.
* Are there specific religious rituals and/or expectations that
pertain to the birth process, the newborn, and then the infant in the religion
of Islam? Other religions, for example, delineate specific practices regarding
the newborn: in Judaism, circumcision takes place for the male child, and the
Judeo-Christian tradition (most “mainstream” Christianity in the United States
including Catholicism and mainstream Protestant denominations including Lutheranism,
Presbyterianism, and Methodism) follows this practice.
* Outline the typical developmental milestones for newborns
and infants in their first year.
* What are the recommended immunizations for newborns? What
immunizations are typically provided just after birth? Which ones in the first
year? How frequently should the newborn visit the pediatrician in terms of what
is recommended? What is the CHAT and when is it given to parents? Outline
Ahmad’s first year in terms of doctor visits. Provide rough information as to
the fees associated with these visits.
* What is a “secure attachment?” What does such an
attachment style predict with regard to later life outcomes?
DECISION POINT ::: How do Khalid and Sasha resolve the issue
of whether to put Ahmad in day care?
1. Why might someone choose to use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers?
ReplyDelete• Cloth diapers are more gentle on the skin and are breathable, allowing air to circulate and preventing diaper rash. Cloth diapers also provide a slim, tailored fit, which is more confortable for babies.
• Cloth diapers are much cheaper and pay for themselves with the first six months. Enough disposable diapers for the first three years cost $2964.54, while cloth diapers cost about $0.45 per diaper and about $1.59 per week to wash.
• Many disposable diapers have such a large amount of moisture absorbing padding that it is hard to tell if they are wet. Cloth diapers are more easy to detect wetness, which helps detect signs of illness more quickly.
• Cloth diapers are better for the environment. Disposable diapers are not biodegradable and are the single largest component of non-recyclable household waste.
• Cloth diapers are less likely to leak. They are also more convenient- washing them at home is often easier than having to run out to the store for more.
• Disposable diapers have more chemicals in them which can be absorbed through the baby’s skin.
Source: Diapering decision. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diaperingdecisions.com/VirtuesOfCloth.htm
http://www.diaperingdecisions.com/VirtuesOfCloth.htm
2. Given that Sasha does not practice Islam, what challenges are likely to be associated with their decision to raise Ahmad as a Muslim? Do you foresee any conflicts between Khalid and Sasha? Provide research data regarding child rearing in households where religion differs between partners.
ReplyDeleteChallenges-
• Sasha is not familiar with all of the practices and customs of the Islamic religion. She may not be able to help Ahmad with anything involving his religion.
The parent of the religion not practiced may later decide that they may feel more strongly about their religion.
Both sides of the family may put pressure on the parents and the child and try to sway their practice either way.
“Discrepancies in spouses' cognitive or behavioral attempts to integrate spirituality into their marriage may give a uniquely religious impetus to marital conflict. Furthermore, clashes on any topic may carry surplus meaning for couples who view their marriage as a means by which they “touch the Divine” (Lauer, 1985). If spouses deeply believe that a primary purpose of a genuine and authentically loving marriage is to discover what God is (Lauer, 1985), then chronic conflict could carry added psychological threat of losing a connection to God as well as losing one's partner. Accordingly, religious belief systems could exacerbate conflict by heightening feelings of fear, anger, shame, and guilt, particularly if one spouse engages in behavior that clearly violates religious precepts held dear by one or both parties (e.g., engaging in extramarital affairs or homosexuality).
Religion also presents couples with unique opportunities for conflict regarding each partner's expression of his or her personal spirituality. Couples may experience clashes about how to integrate the “sacred” into aspects of life other than marriage, including: (a) each partner's pursuit of a connection with the “sacred” itself (e.g., opposing images of God or unequal desires to participate in organized religion); and (b) roles or activities that may be sanctified by only one spouse (e.g., child rearing; charity work; vocational goals; artistic or athletic pursuits; material wealth; Mahoney et al., 2003). On the other hand, couples' level of unity about the spiritual purposes of marriage may also mediate their level of agreement about key aspects of marriage (e.g., sexuality, gender roles, child rearing). Also, the added psychological threat of losing a connection to God, as discussed above, may help motivate couples to acknowledge and resolve problems.”
Yes, I do forsee Sasha and Khalid having problems because of their differences in religion. I believe that Sasha will start to feel more strongly about her religion and want to expose Ahmad to it, in addition to his exposure to Islam.
Source: Mahoney, A. (2005). Religion and conflict in marital and parent-child relationships. Journal of social issues, 61(4), 689-706. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00427.x
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00427.x/full
3. There are many Muslim birth rituals. When a woman is in labor, she is often surrounded by only female relatives and friends. Males are often barred from the labor room. Midwives are often utilized before, during, and after childbirth. After a baby is born, the father whispers a special prayer into the baby’s ear. Additionally, a small piece of date is rubbed on the roof of the baby’s mouth before it is fed. A pouch containing a prayer is tied around the baby’s wrist, and it is customary that males are circumcised. A sheep is often slaughtered in honor of the child in the family’s country of origin. On the seventh day of the baby’s life, the baby’s head is shaved. The muslim tradition encourages women to breast feed for at least two years after the baby’s birth.
ReplyDeleteGatrad, A. R., & Sheikh, A. (2001). Muslim birth customs. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1721205/pdf/v084p000F6.pdf
The middle eastern community. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.culturediversity.org/mide.htm
4. At one month the baby can lift and move its head, prefers human faces, has strong reflexes, and may turn toward familiar voices.
ReplyDeleteAt two months, the baby smiles and can track objects with his/her eyes. A baby also begins to make sounds that are not cries.
At three months the baby can raise its chest, kick its legs, reaches for dangling objects, begins to imitate sounds, develops a social smile and can better control head movements.
At four months a baby will sleep for longer periods of time uninterrupted, roll over and sit up with support, babble, recognize a bottle or breast, and communicate negative feelings with crying.
At five months a baby will pay attention to small objects, see across the room, use hands to bring objects closer, and begins teething.
At six months a baby will make some vowel/consonant sounds, sit up by itself, reach for objects, drink from a cup with help, copy some facial expression and make two syllable sounds.
At seven months a baby can self feed finger foods, play peekabo, and imitate sounds.
At eight months a baby chews on objects, babbles enthusiastically, responds to its own name, varies voice and sounds in response to different people and needs, and may show anxiety when removed from a parent.
At nine months a baby can identify itself in a mirror and can go from its stomach to sitting by itself.
At ten months a baby can pull itself to standing and continue to stand when holding on to someone.
At one year a baby can crawl well, walk with the aid of furniture, dance to music, become interested in books, be fearful of strangers, entertain itself by opening and closing cabinet doors, and begin to understand the use of certain objects.
Schulman, L. (2010, January 10). Bab'ys first year: Developmental milestones. Retrieved from http://www.ivillage.com/babys-first-year-developmental-milestones/6-a-127191?p=4
5.
ReplyDelete• Hepatitis B
o First dose before hospital discharge
o Second dose at 1 to 2 months
o Final dosage should be give no earlier than 24 weeks
• 6 weeks
o Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (Hib)
o Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
o Rotavirus vaccine (RV)
o Pneumococcal vaccine
o Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
• 6 months
o Influenza vaccine (seasonal)
• 1 year (12 months)
o Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)
o Varicella vaccine
o Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)
It is recommended to take your baby to the doctor at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and again at 12 months. This is to get the required tests done as well as to get immunizations done at the recommended scheduled time.
Ahmad’s first doctor’s visit will be right after birth where he will be checked for weight, length, and head circumference. The skin color will be checked as well as the baby’s activity. Heart rate, temperature, and breathing will also be measured during this visit.
The next doctor’s visit at one month will be to check the baby’s hearing and vision. The doctor will also check the baby’s weight to make sure he is growing at a proper rate. The doctor will also administer the hepatitis b vaccine if they have not already done so.
At 2 months, the doctor will weight and measure the baby again as well as check the hearing and vision. During this visit the doctor will give all of the immunizations that are needed at 6 weeks ( given above). The doctor will also check for a flat spot on the back of the head of the baby.
At 4 months, the doctor the doctor will weigh and measure the baby as well as measuring the head to make sure the brain is growing properly. The next round of immunizations will be given at this time as well (DTaP, HiB, polio, pneumococcal, and rotavirus). A hearing and screening test will be given again as well.
At 6 months, the same procedures will be done as last time except the Hepatitis B and influenza vaccine will be given. The doctor will also offer information on how to get Ahmed to sleep through the night.
At 9 months, the doctor will weigh and measure the baby. They will also check to make sure the baby looks well and healthy and that there are no signs of deficiencies.
Finally, at 12 months, the final round of immunizations will be given to Ahmed. The parents will also need to ask about the growth and development of the infant to make sure they aren’t falling behind.
Works Cited
BabyCenter LLC. (2012). Baby Doctors Visit Guide. Retrieved January 24, 2012, from Baby Center: What immunizations are typically provided just after birth? Which ones in the first year?
Department of Health and Human Services ;The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, December 21). Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0-6 years. Retrieved January 24, 2012, from Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
6. Secure attachment is the healthiest style of attachment between a child and their parents. It develops a sense of trust for the baby who is able to separate healthily but finds comfort in the returning parents. They seek comfort in parents when frightened and also prefer parents to strangers. Secure attachment early in life can have a direct impact on adult life. Adults with secure attachment generally have good self-esteem and healthy, lasting relationships. They also are comfortable sharing feelings and seeking support from their peer group.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
http://www.nncc.org/child.dev/dc25_secure.attach.html
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/parenting_attachment.htm
Decision point: It seems that the couple has good communication skills and are able to resolve conflict easily, so this should be no different. Socialization has shown to be helpful even at such young ages and since he has already established a secure attachment for both parents, he seems ready to interact with other children and has the mind set to become social with others. We think they will send Ahmad to daycare.
ReplyDelete