Feeding:
·
Breast-feed
your baby on about every 3 hours (8 feedings per day). Feed
until your baby seems content. Your baby may “cluster” the
feedings in the evening to prepare for a longer stretch of
nighttime sleep. Continue prenatal vitamins while
breast-feeding. Your breasts may not feel as engorged between
feedings- this is normal.
·
If you do
not breast-feed, use an iron-fortified infant formula. Feed your
baby 4-5 ounces every 3-4 hours for a total of 26-28 ounces per
day. By 4 months, many babies eat up to 32 ounces per day. Use
tap water or nursery water for mixing powdered formula.
·
Review
the formula preparation instructions carefully. Do not heat
formula/expressed breast milk in the microwave.
·
Babies do
not need supplemental water.
·
Do not give
honey or corn/Karo™ syrup in the first year of life.
·
Cereal or
other solid foods are not required until 6 months of age. Cereal
will not help a baby sleep.
·
Exclusively
breast-fed babies need a vitamin supplement like Tri-Vi-Sol.
Give 1 mL/day into his/her mouth.
·
There is
preliminary evidence that polycarbonate bottles bearing the #7
should be avoided due to high bisphenol A (BPA) content.
Use glass or
plastic bottles with #1,#2,or #4.
Elimination:
·
Breast-fed
babies have yellow stools with a pasty, watery, or curd-like
consistency. Stools tend to decrease in frequency,
however the frequency varies widely – a few per day to a few per
week is normal. Your baby is not constipated if he/she has
stools that are infrequent but soft.
·
Bottle-fed
babies usually have 2-4 soft brown, green or yellow stools.
Sleep:
·
Always place
your baby on his back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress of a
crib/bassinet.
·
Your baby
should not fall to sleep with positioners, wedges, blankets,
pillows, or toys in bed. Crib bumpers should be removed. Your
baby should also not sleep for long periods or sleep unattended
in the carseat.
·
The average
baby sleeps 15.5 hours per day between 1 and 4 months of age.
It is normal for your baby to sleep more on some days and less
on other days.
·
Your baby is
too young to cry himself to sleep. Your baby cries to
communicate that he needs something from you.
·
By 4 months
of age, most babies have longer stretches of sleep at night and
3 daytime naps.
Development: (2 to 4 months):
·
Although
babies must sleep on their backs, allow for observed
“tummy time” everyday while awake. Your baby will raise
his head slightly when lying on tummy, and will get better and
better with this skill if you practice! Because babies spend a
lot of time sleeping, they are at risk of developing a “flat
head”. Prevention is the key! Tummy time helps, and so does
varying the direction your baby’s head is facing at different
naptimes, either right or left facing. A “flat head” does not
develop overnight but rather over time if positioning is not
varied and tummy time is not practiced. Back to sleep, tummy
to play!
·
Reduce the time in car-seat carriers, bouncy seats, and swings-
these devices apply pressure to the back of the head increasing
the chances of a “flat head”.
·
Your baby
will raise his body when lying on his tummy, hold his head up,
he may bear weight on legs
·
Smile, coos,
laughs, may blow bubbles, cries may change according to needs
·
Visually
follow an object, respond to sound and voices by quieting or
cooing
·
Swats,
reaches, grabs, may hold a rattle
Safety:
·
Always use a
carseat made for an infant and place it rear-facing in
the back seat. Your baby should not sleep for long periods or
unattended in the seat.
·
Always make
sure your baby is sleeping in a safe place. The crib slats
should be less than 2- 3/8 in. apart.
·
Take an
infant CPR/first aid class. Northwestern 877-926-4664 or CMH
773-975-8751
·
Set your hot
water heater to 100°F to prevent burns and never drink hot
liquids while holding your baby.
·
Never leave
your baby unattended on the bed, sofa, changing table, or in the
bathtub.
·
Do not use a
walker!
·
No jogging
with jogging strollers until 9-12 months!
·
Install and
maintain smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
·
Watch your
pets/older children carefully around your baby.
·
Shaking or
spanking your baby may cause serious injury or death.
·
Do not smoke
around your baby – it may lead to respiratory problems.
Safe
Toys:
·
Choose toys
that are made for your baby’s age.
·
Check for
long strings, cords, small or loose parts, like eyes, noses, and
ribbons, sharp or pointed edges.
·
All toys and
pieces should be larger than 1 5/8 inches. You should not be
able to pass the toy through a cardboard toilet paper holder.
·
Avoid old
painted toys that may contain lead. Check the CPSC site at
www.cpsc.gov
·
Do not
string any toys across the crib.
Other
Things to Keep in Mind:
·
Know the
signs of illness – temperature over 102°F rectally, vomiting
(not just spit-up), diarrhea or failure to eat several feedings
in a row.
·
Protect from
sun exposure with clothing, blankets, or an umbrella. Sunscreen
(SPF 15 or higher) may be used if clothing & shade are
unavailable.
·
Show your
baby affection – you can not spoil a young baby. Hold, talk and
sing to your baby.
·
Adults who
have or who anticipate having regular close contact with your
infant should receive a single dose of Tdap
(tetanus,diphtheria,pertussis). Mothers can receive this vaccine
in the postpartum period to protect themselves and their newborn
infant from pertussis (whooping cough).
·
The AAP
recommends no TV until age 2.
Tests/Immunizations for Today:
·
Your baby
will receive the Pentacel #1 (DTaP, HIB, Polio), Prevnar, and
Rotateq vaccines. Please review the information sheets.
·
If you have
any questions about vaccines check out our website or the CDC at
www.cdc.gov or
http://vaccine.chop.edu/parents
Acetaminophen Infant Drops Dose:
Every 4-6 hours & no more than 4 doses/day
6-11 lbs = 0.4mL (1/2 dropper)
12-17 lbs = 0.8mL (1 dropper)
At
the 4 month check-up:
·
Your baby
will have a physical examination and questions will be answered.
·
Your baby
will receive second doses of Pentacel (DTaP, HIB, Polio),
Prevnar, and Rotateq vaccines.
