Feeding:
·
Breast-feed
your baby on demand, at least every 2-3 hours (8-12 feedings per
day). The length of a feeding varies, so feed until your baby
seems content. Feedings will become more regular over the next
month. Continue prenatal vitamins while breast-feeding. This
is the time to introduce a bottle of expressed breast milk
if you are planning to do so.
·
If you do
not breast-feed, use an iron-fortified infant formula. Feed your
baby 2-5 ounces every 3-4 hours. Occasionally, your baby may
need a bottle sooner. As your baby grows, his formula intake
will increase too. 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.
·
Expect a
growth spurt between 3 and 6 weeks of age. This is normal, and
your baby may want to eat more and/or sleep more.
·
Exclusively
breast-fed babies need a vitamin supplement like
Tri-Vi-Sol.
The dose is 1 mL/day given into your baby’s mouth or into a
bottle of expressed breast milk/formula.
·
There is
preliminary evidence that polycarbonate bottles bearing the #7
should be avoided due to high bisphenol A (BPA) content.
Choose
plastic bottles with #1,#2, or #4 on them.
Elimination:
·
Breast-fed
babies have yellow stools with a pasty, watery, or curd-like
consistency. The frequency varies - a few per day to a few per
week is normal.
·
Bottle-fed
babies usually have 2-4 soft, brown, green or yellow stools each
day.
Sleep:
·
Always place
your baby on his back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress of a
crib/bassinet. Your baby should not sleep in the bed with you.
·
Your baby
should not sleep with positioners, wedges, blankets, pillows, or
toys in bed. No crib bumpers should be used. Your baby should
not sleep for long periods unattended in the car seat.
·
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.
·
Consider
offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime because pacifier use
during sleep is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. During
the first year of life, the pacifier should be used when placing
him down to sleep and not be reinserted once he falls asleep. If
the infant refuses, do not force the pacifier.
Development
(1 to 2 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” and impairing development.
·
Delight
in your baby’s developmental accomplishments! He/She can
probably raise his/her head and chest higher when lying on tummy
and hold his/her head up briefly.
·
Your baby
will move her arms and legs equally.
·
He/she may
start to have a social smile, coos, cries may change according
to needs. He/she may focus on your face, may visually follow an
object.
·
Your baby
will also respond to sound and voices by quieting or cooing.
Safety:
·
Always use a
carseat made for an infant and place it rear-facing in the back
seat.
·
Always make
sure your baby is sleeping in a safe place – in a crib or
bassinet. The slats should be less than 2- 3/8 inches apart.
Crib bumpers are not recommended.
·
Take an
infant CPR/first aid class.
Try Northwestern at 877-926-4664 or Children’s Memorial at
773-975-8751
·
Watch your
pets and older children around your infant.
·
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.
·
No jogging
strollers until 9-12 months!
·
Protect from
sun exposure with clothing, blankets, or an umbrella.
·
Install and
maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
·
Shaking or
spanking your baby may cause serious injury or death.
·
Do not smoke
around your baby – it may lead to respiratory problems.
Other Things to
Keep in Mind:
·
Know the
signs of illness – temperature equal to or over 100.4˚F
rectally, vomiting (not just spit-up), diarrhea, or failure to
eat several feedings in a row.
·
Show your
baby affection – you can not spoil a newborn. 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).
·
Sleep when the baby is sleeping- leave the housework
and chores!
Tests/Immunizations for Today:
·
Hepatitis B
vaccine will be given today. Please review the information
sheet. He/she will not need pain relieving medications
(Tylenol). Please call the office before giving pain relieving
medications to your <2 month infant.
·
A postpartum
depression surveillance information packet will be handed out.
Please take the time to read this information about a very
common condition. If you need help, some resources are listed,
or please ask us.
At the 2 month
check-up:
·
Your baby will have a physical examination.
·
Your questions and concerns will be answered.
·
Your baby will receive the Pentacel (DTaP, HIB, Polio), Prevnar,
Rotateq vaccines.
·
If you have any questions about vaccines…please visit
http://vaccine.chop.edu/parents an excellent site that will
answer any concerns you may have.
