*has not been updated since 10/2017 always consult with your physician first
SAFETY
-Your baby’s crib, or bassinet, should have a firm mattress. The crib slots should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart.
-Your baby should not sleep on a waterbed, beanbag, or soft blankets that may hinder his ability to breathe.
-If your baby sleeps in your bed, make sure the mattress is firm. It should be a single bed, not two beds brought together where your baby may get caught between the beds.
-Do not let your baby sleep with you if you have had any cold medicine, alcoholic beverages, or are excessively red.
-The room temperature should be comfortable, not too warm. It is better to keep the room temperature a little cooler and use a swaddle blanket. Make sure to keep his room and, if possible the house, smoke-free.
- All pillows, toys, quilts, and fluffy animals should be removed from your baby’s crib before laying him down.
-The lowered crib sides should be at least 9 inches above the mattress to prevent your baby from falling out; however, the crib sides should never be left down when your baby is in the crib. The raised crib sides should be at least 26 inches above the mattress in the lowest position.
-The mattress should be the same width as the crib so that there are no gaps to trap arms, legs, or body. You should not be able to fit two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib.
-The drop side of the crib should have a locking, hand-operated latch that will not release accidentally. ·
-Never place a crib near cords from hanging window\ blinds or drapery.
- Corner posts should be flush to the end panels, or else very tall such as with the posts on a canopy bed. Clothing may catch on corner posts that are either not flush, or are not tall enough to evade clothing
-Always use a federally approved car seat anytime your baby is in a vehicle. The infant seat should be firmly secured, rear-facing, and in the back seat.
-Always have a bulb syringe readily available, in the event your baby is choking. If your baby vomits, or chokes, turn him to his side and squeeze the bulb syringe before inserting into his mouth, and release. Remove the secretions from his mouth completely, and then suction his nostrils, if necessary. Clean the bulb syringe with warm, soapy water after each use.
- Keep small objects and plastic toys out of his reach.
SLEEP
-Your baby will spend most of the day sleeping. Your baby will sleep, typically, 16 to 20 hours a day. However, your baby will wake frequently. Most of Your baby's sleep is a light, dreaming rest. He will fuss, whimper, move and wake often for short periods.
-Your baby should sleep on his back, or at an angle of no more than 30 degrees on alternate sides. Babies who always sleep on the same side, or the same position, may develop a misshapen head.
BREASTFEEDING
- It is important to wake your baby to ensure enough feedings. If you are breastfeeding, you should nurse 8 to 12 times per day. You should begin to wake your baby two hours after the beginning of the last feeding, during the day. It may take some time to wake your baby enough to get him interested in eating.
-Waking your baby is sometimes difficult. You may want to dim the lights initially. Bright lights will cause your baby to close his eyes. Talk directly to your baby, trying to make eye contact.
-Unwrap your baby down to his diaper, if the room is comfortable. Your baby will suck less if he is too warm.
-Rub, or pat, your baby' s back, or walk your fingers up his spine.
-Wipe Your baby's forehead and cheeks with a cool, damp cloth.
- Change your baby's diaper.
-If your baby is still uninterested in breastfeeding, express milk onto your baby' s lips.
-Make sure the hand supporting your breast keeps the weight off your baby's chin.
-In order to keep your baby interested, massage his cheek in a circular motion while nursing
-Make sure to finish one breast before starting the second breast. It is more important that your baby finishes one side than necessarily getting to the second side. If your baby only gets the foremilk (the first portion of the breast milk) from each breast, he will have much gas and not gain weight as well. The hind milk contains the greatest concentration of fat.
- It is preferable to encourage more frequent feedings during the daylight hours so that there may be a longer stretch of sleep at night. (YES!)
-Most babies will regain their birth weight by two weeks of age.
STOOLING
-It is normal for breastfed and formula-fed infants to stool anywhere from once every few days to 10 times per day. The stool frequency will decrease over the next few months.
-Stools should be soft, though sometimes your baby may be uncomfortable even with soft bowel movements.
-Babies may strain when having a bowel movement. This is normal. Constipation is when the stools are hard. If your baby is straining, or passing lots of gas, you may use a thin rectal thermometer with K- Y jelly. Place the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum and press softly against rectal wall to simulate the normal body response to stool in the rectum. Follow this with a warm bath. If this is unsuccessful, and your baby is uncomfortable, you want to call your pediatrician to ask about the use of an Infant Glycerin Suppository.
-Breastfed infants often have watery, yellow-green stools, with a rice-seed consistency.
-Use a wet washcloth, or baby wipe, to clean your baby. Wipe from front to back rather than back to front. This is especially important for girls, as this is a common cause of urinary tract infections.
BATHING
-Typically, your baby will not get very dirty. You may not need to bathe him daily. A wet washcloth may be used to wash your baby's face, neck, and between creases.
-A baby tub, set on your table or counter may be the easiest way to bathe your baby. Place a towel on the bottom of the tub to keep your baby from slipping.
-Test the water temperature with your elbow, or inner wrist. The hot water heater should be set between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
FEVER
-A temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit is a fever for a baby less than two months of age. If your baby is cranky, or feels warm take a rectal temperature.
Other reasons to call your pediatrician include excessive crying or shrieking, frequent coughing, noticeable difficulty breathing with or without a color change.
OUTDOORS
-You may take your baby outside at any time whether for a walk , sitting on the porch, running errands, or visiting friends. Use common sense; if it is comfortable for you, it should be comfortable for your baby. Neither extreme temperatures, nor long trips will be enjoyable for you or your baby, so avoid both. Any errands should be done when the stores are least crowded.
-It is helpful for you to have some fresh air and sunlight. Thirty minutes a day of sunlight between 11AM and 2PM helps to stimulate endorphins and has an antidepressant effect, so important!
-When placed in the car seat in the vehicle, your baby should have his head resting against the car seat, not forward on his chest. You may need to recline the seat, or place a towel under the base of the seat, to make this adjustment.
- The car seat should be securely anchored so that you are unable to move it forward, or side to side. Your baby should wear clothes with legs to allow the crotch strap to snap. Avoid heavy blankets and heavy snowsuits beneath the straps. The harness needs to be snug, and placed in the slots at, or below, your baby's shoulders to hold your baby in the event of a crash. You may use blankets over your baby, after buckling the harness.