Your Four-Week Old Baby
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.
- 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.
- Review the formula preparation instructions carefully. Do not
heat formula in the microwave.
- Babies do not need supplemental water.
- Do not give honey or corn 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.
- Exclusively breast-fed babies need a vitamin supplement like
Tri-Vi-Sol™.
Elimination
- Breast-fed babies have yellow stools with a pasty, watery, or
curd-like consistency. The frequency varies widely – 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.
- 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.
Development (1 to 2 months)
- Raises head and chest higher when lying on tummy, holds head
up briefly
- Moves arms and legs
- May have a social smile, coos, cries change according to needs
- Focuses on your face, may visually follow an object
- Responds 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. The
crib slats should be less than 2- 3/8 in. apart.
- Take an infant CPR class.
- Set your hot water heater to120°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.
Other Things to Keep in Mind:
- Know the signs of illness – temperature over 100.4 rectal,
vomiting (not just spit-up), diarrhea, or failure to eat several
feedings in a row.
- Watch your pets carefully around your baby.
- Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Protect from sun exposure with clothing, blankets, or an umbrella.
- Show your baby affection – you can not spoil a newborn.
- Shaking or spanking your baby may cause serious injury or death.
- Do not smoke around your baby – it may lead to respiratory
problems.
- Hold, talk and sing to your baby.
Tests/Immunizations for Today:
- Hepatitis B vaccine will be given today. Please review the information
sheet.
- Hearing test - if your baby was not tested in the hospital,
your baby will be tested today. No special preparation is needed.
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 DTaP, HIB, Polio, and Prevnar vaccines.
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