Mercy Medical Center North Iowa - Pediatric and Adolescent Newborn

Mercy Network

Over the next month it is likely that your baby’s schedule will become more regular, and he will become more sociable.
Consider the purchase of a mobile since babies begin fixing their vision on moving and bright-colored objects. This is a good age to obtain a rattle because babies start to grasp and hold onto objects.
It is important in your babies development that you place him on his stomach occasionally while awake. At first he will lift his head and turn it side to side. Later he will raise his chest up while resting on his arms. Sometime between 2-5 months he will roll over.
Talk to your baby. Over the next month you can expect him to start cooing and attending with interest when you talk or sing to him.
Crying in the late afternoon and evening may increase during the first 6 to 8 weeks. Two to three hours of crying a day is normal in the first 3 months. If your baby is crying, check the diaper and consider whether he may be hungry. Often a physical reason cannot be found and he will stop crying on his own in a few minutes. However, responding to your infant’s crying will not result in “spoiling” him. Consult the pediatrician if the baby’s persistent crying becomes very upsetting.

Your baby should gain back to his birth weight by 2 weeks of age. For the next three months, he should gain 4 to 6 ounces per week.
If you are breastfeeding: Initially you may have to feed as often as every two hours. Allow feeding at the first breast for 5-10 minutes. Then switch to the other breast, where your baby may feed for a more extended time. The next feeding should begin at the breast that was last used.
Give the breastfeeding infant 400 IU’s of vitamin D daily.
Ensure that you have an appropriate diet and fluid intake.
If you are bottlefeeding: Use an iron containing formula. Hold the baby in a semisitting position to feed him.
Feed the baby only until he is satisfied. He does not need to finish each bottle.
Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.
Do not give the infant honey or corn syrup until after his first birthday to prevent infant botulism.
Delay introduction of solid foods, including rice cereal, until 5 to 6 months of age.
To avoid developing a habit that will harm your infant’s teeth and contribute to recurrent ear infections, do not put him to bed with a bottle or prop it in his mouth.
Consider sharing night feedings between parents or between the mother and and another caregiver so that the mother can get sufficient sleep. Try to nap during the day while the baby sleeps.
The number of stools varies with the type of feeding. At first, there may be a stool with each feeding. Later fewer stools are seen.

Use a properly secured infant car seat. Do not leave your infant alone in the car.
The hot water heater should be set at 120º F to avoid accidental scalding. Test the water temperature with your wrist to make sure it is not hot before bathing your baby. Do not drink hot liquids or smoke while holding the baby. Install smoke detectors.
Never leave your baby alone or with a young sibling or pet.
Do not leave him alone in a tub of water or on high places such as a changing table, bed, sofa, or chair. Pillows used as barriers will not prevent a fall.
A washcloth under the baby may diminish slipping in the bathtub.
Strings should not be used to tie pacifiers or toys around the baby’s neck or around the slats of the crib.
Never shake your baby.
Keep toys with small parts or other small or sharp objects out of reach.
Avoid overexposure to the sun.

Your baby should sleep on his back.
Alter the position of the baby in the crib to avoid producing flat areas on the head.
Your child should not sleep on a water bed or lamb’s wool.
It helps the mother get sufficient sleep, if the parents or other caregiver share night feedings.
Nap during the day while the baby sleeps.