Sleep
Many babies wake up every 3 to 4 hours,
while others sleep through the night. Every baby is
different. Feeding your baby a lot just before bedtime
doesn't have much to do with how long your baby will sleep.
Place your baby in the crib when he's drowsy but still
awake. Do not put your baby in bed with a bottle. Ask your
health care provider for ideas about ways to keep your baby
alert and awake during the day and sound asleep at night.
Safety Tips
Never leave your child alone, except in a
crib.
Avoid Suffocation
and Choking
- Use a crib with slats not more than 2
and 3/8 inches apart.
- Place your baby in bed on his back.
- Use a mattress that fits the crib
snugly.
- Keep plastic bags, balloons, and baby
powder out of reach.
Prevent Fires, Burns, Scalds
- Never eat, drink, or carry anything
hot near the baby or while you are holding the baby.
- Turn your water heater down to 120°F
(50°C).
- Install smoke detectors.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in or near
the kitchen.
- Do not smoke inside the house or near
the baby. Try to cut back on cigarettes and set a quit
date. Tell your friends you are quitting.
Car Safety
- Never leave a child alone in a car.
- Use an approved infant car safety seat
and follow the instructions for proper use.
- Parents should always wear seat belts.
Avoid Falls
- Never step away when the baby is on a
high place, such as on a changing table.
- Keep the crib sides up.
Immunizations
At the 2-month visit, your baby should have
a:
- DTaP (diphtheria, acellular pertussis,
tetanus) shot
- Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
shot
- hepatitis B shot
- polio shot
- pneumococcal (PCV7) shot
- rotavirus oral vaccine.
Some of these vaccines are mixed together in the same shot,
so your baby will usually not have to have 5 separate shots.
Your baby may run a fever and be irritable
for about 1 day after getting shots. Your baby may also have
some soreness, redness, and swelling where the shots were
given. Acetaminophen drops (1/2 dropperful, or 0.4 ml, every
4 to 6 hours) may help to prevent the fever and
irritability. For swelling or soreness put a wet, warm
washcloth on the area of the shots as often and as long as
needed for comfort.
Call your child's health care provider if:
- Your child has a rash or any reaction
other than fever and mild irritability.
- You are concerned about the fever.
Next Visit
Your baby's next routine visit should be at
the age of 4 months. At this time your child will get the
next set of immunizations. Please bring the shot card each
time your baby is due to get shots.
