Caregiver Training/Healthy Infant and Baby Development

Caregiver Training – Healthy Infant and Baby Development (HIBD) HIBD is a continuation of the Caregiver Training and Baby Rooms Improvement Program that was begun with ICRI in 2004. HIBD promotes healthy and happy infant and baby development, leading to a reduction in infant mortality as well as improvements in all aspects of infant and baby development. The program, which emphasizes empowerment of the caregivers, will ultimately enhance the quality of care for infants and children aged 0-6 years.

Over a period of two years, the caregivers for the orphaned children living at Bal Mandir were matched by an equal number of caregivers from the community. They were trained in all aspects of baby and child development and current best practices; recognition of trauma in a child; and the special needs of the traumatized child. There was also  esteem-building workshops for the caregivers and improvements to the facilities available for them. By the end of the two years,  the caregivers were more like “mothers” and are working more confidently and cooperatively in a manner consistent with mothers caring for their own children. To help assure sustainability, there will be a three-year follow-up period.