There’s never a time too early in making this post-baby care choice. Deciding on the most suitable childcare can start from the very period of pregnancy, although some mothers (non-1st timers) do wait till when they are almost ready to resume work before making a choice.
Employing the services of a nanny means your child gets to have personalized care in the comfort of his/her home while on the other hand, a Daycare/Crèche will provide your little one with care within a professional setting, and of course lots of playmates. However, this isn’t all to it; a thousand and one considerations come into play when trying to make an apt choice for your child’s care. Let’s take a look at a few vital points for both child minding options.
Nanny Care:
With a nanny, your child gets to enjoy dedicated one-on-one attention; can play with his/her own toys at will, and doesn’t have to conform to the scheduled activities of a daycare/crèche. Your child also gets to play safe within the comfort of a clean home environment, so there’s less exposure to germs and infections. Another good deal that comes with having a nanny is flexibility– a nanny can run flexible hours that suits an erratic busy schedule; you get to call the shots.
With a nanny, you don’t have to bother about packing and delivering food packs, diapers and all sorts at the crèche, and of course rushing to meet drop-offs and pick-ups are out of the picture. Some nannies don’t mind doing extra stuffs and are willing to help out with house chores like laundry and cleaning up – that’s a real great one…right?

Day – Care:
Most Day-care centres in Nigeria are similar to crèches. Both offer child care / preschool services in an organized pattern. At a daycare, your child is watched over by not just one but multiple well supervised capable hands, and gets to enjoy the company of other children too! Enrolling your little one in a day-care centre is a good start to his/her socialization and learning process; listening to and reciting nursery rhymes, learning to share toys, and interacting with other kids in group activities are all part of the structured benefits of a crèche.
However, at a daycare, your child is prone to get infections from any infected kid, and should s/he fall sick, taking time off work to tend to her/him or finding backup care at home is inevitable.
So really, neither is a better or worse option; both have their merits and drawbacks. What matters largely is – which of the childcare options is most convenient for you personally? Whatever your decision is, and as anxious as the experience may be, ensuring that your child gets the optimal quality care is essential.

In today’s fast-paced world of technology, the World Wide Web has become a fascinating world of wonder for not only adults but for kids too. With the wide array of electronics – smartphones, tablets, internet-bound game devices, and digital televisions – found in most homes, a child’s access to the online world is almost unavoidable.
Maintaining your child’s safety on the internet can be a very intimidating challenge but there are quite a number of ways you can endeavour to keep your child safe from internet risks.
The following measures can set you on the right track for your chilld’s internet safety:
–  There is no definite age for a child to begin visiting the web. Parents can determine the right age to get their child started.
–  Children can be very inquisitive and an outright ban from going online will only fuel their curiosity; rather, a guided use of the internet is advised.
–  Careful supervision of your child’s internet access and usage from the very first day is a key rule. Computers should be kept in the living room or in an open place where your child can connect online under your watchful eyes.
– Guidelines should be set. Age-appropriate sites that are educative and have high learning potentials should be encouraged mainly.
–  For older kids, suitable social networks should be agreed on for visits and appropriate content (pictures, videos etc) that can be posted online or downloaded from the internet should be discussed and clearly defined.
–  The internet can be very addictive and it is your responsibility to help your child avoid internet addiction. Set time limits like the time of the day to go online, and duration.
–  Develop interests in the fun things your child does online and take time out to be a part of it too. This way you are kept abreast of your child’s online activities and can carefully guide him/her aright.
–  It is your right as a parent to manage your child’s online participation. So get involved; if your child has social network accounts, know the people s/he chats with. Ask relevant questions if need be, and cautiously educate your kid not to be too trusting; it’s easy for people to lie online about who they really are.
–  Always encourage your child never to disclose private information online (name, age, phone numbers, residential address, name of school), and to never make attempts to meet any online friend physically without getting apt approval from you.
As digital evolution increases by the day, parental control apps and software are becoming very common. With these programs you can filter websites, and also be fully aware of what you child sees, listens to and who they interact with online.

The final arrival of your baby is one unique experience that can rock your world, and whether you are planning for a caesarean section or vaginal delivery, it’s best to ensure adequate preparation for a smooth delivery.
Labour pain is said to be one of the most painful experiences a human can have but you should know that pain is relative, and just as pregnancy experience differs from one woman to another, labour pains may also differ. So as you await the final day, and the days begin to drag, it’s important you avoid negative thoughts about labour so you don’t get too apprehensive.
To be well prepared, there are so many productive things you can do while you wait for delivery so get busy!
Pack Your Delivery Bag
First things first, try to ensure that you have a delivery bag and checklist ready. Don’t wait till your first signs of contraction before you pack your bag. Having your bag ready beforehand will help avoid any form of rush should your baby decide to come earlier than its expected due date. Knowing you have all you will need at the hospital will assuredly make you feel more relaxed as the days go by.
Be Active
Have regular 40 – 50 minutes brisk walks at least twice each day, and try your hands on squatting too. Squatting opens up your pelvis for birth by at least 15% – 28% and regular squats especially in your last trimester will improve your balance, while also building up your stamina in readiness for pushing when your due date comes. So don’t wait till you are in labour, get squatting now.
One much recommended exercise routines that can also help strengthen your pelvic and vaginal muscles are the Kegel exercises. If you are planning for a vaginal birth doing this will certainly ease your birthing experience.Start birth classes early so you can be done with these classes by your 36th week. You can ask your instructor relevant questions that will help you get acquainted with the birth techniques you’ve been taught. You should also consistently practise these techniques on your own. Asking your spouse to join your routines if that will make you more comfortable is a good idea.
Watch Your Health
As your baby’s arrival day gets closer, you should take lots of bed rests and always have someone around you for cases of emergency. Sticking to healthy balanced meal plans should also be top priority on your list.