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Inside this Month's Newsletter:
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Baby's
Development
By the end of this month, your baby may be able to:
- Lift head briefly while on its belly.
- Focus on objects 8 to 15 inches from its eyes.
- Look sideways with eyes to view an object
- Clench hands
Visit the encyclopedia for more information on infant development.
Caring for your baby
Now that you are home with your baby, it's time to get to
know who this little person is. Your baby will go through
many changes during the first month of his life. Try to stay
in tune with your baby's needs and make a note of what seems
to satisfy him. Also be willing to try new things - what satisfies
him may change week to week.
Communication
Babies cry
to communicate. Try to determine what your baby needs when
he cries. He could be hungry, wet, tired or he may just want
to be held. At times your baby will go through some unexplained
fussy periods, which can occur randomly or at the same time
every day. Try out different ways of holding or comforting
him to see which one works the best. Swaddling your baby may
also reduce crying.
See also: Excessive
crying
Sleeping
Keep in mind that every baby is different and sleep patterns
will change quite frequently no matter how determined you
are to set a routine.
Most newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period.
During the first few weeks your baby will be awake for one
to four hours at a time. You can help him establish a good
sleep pattern by putting him to sleep when he is tired (rubbing
his eyes, fussy, etc). Help him to differentiate night and
day by playing with him during the day, and keeping the room
bright. At night do not play with him when you change his
diaper and keep noise levels down. Usually a sleep schedule
is better established toward the end of the first month or
into the second month.
Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the diagnosis given when
a baby under the age of one dies unexpectedly due to an unknown
cause of death. Each year in the United States, SIDS claims
the lives of approximately 3,000 infants, 90 percent of whom
are less than six months old.
The best way to protect your baby from SIDS is to remember
the following tips:
- Put your baby to sleep on his back
- Use zip-up sleepers instead of blankets (babies can get
covered or tangled in a blanket or become too hot)
- Do not smoke and do not allow others to smoke around your
baby
- Breastfeed (studies show this reduces SIDS risk)
- Take your baby to "well-baby"
visits and immunize your baby as recommended by your physician
See also: babies
bedtime habits
Diet/Nutrition
You have probably made the decision to breastfeed
or bottle
feed your baby either before delivery or within the first
few weeks of his birth.
Generally, newborns get hungry every two or three hours
and should be fed when they're hungry. Many babies spit up
occasionally after eating. As long as your child continues
to gain weight, there probably is no cause for concern. Try
feeding him more slowly, burping him three or four times during
each feeding, and keep him in a semi-sitting position for
a half-hour when he is done eating.
Growth Spurts
Around the third week, and the second, fourth, and sixth months,
it may seem that your baby wants to eat "all the time." If
you are bottle-feeding simply increase the frequency of your
baby's feeding times. Even though baby is eating more frequently
during a growth spurt, don't "prop" a bottle for your baby
to drink from. Always hold your baby for feedings. Feeding
time is a quiet time for you and your partner to touch, cuddle
and bond with your baby. A growth spurt will generally last
three to four days and your baby will resume a less frequent
feeding schedule.
If you are breastfeeding, this can be a particularly frustrating
time because your baby may want to nurse every 30 or 60 minutes,
(breast milk digests quicker than formula) and stay at the
breast for longer periods. It may seem that the only thing
you are doing all day is nursing. This increase in nursing
is normal and signals your body to produce more milk. Within
a few days, your milk supply will have increased to provide
enough milk at each feeding. You will find that your baby
will start eating less frequently and for shorter periods
of time.
For more information about diet and nutrition go to:
Health and Safety
Information
Your baby's first checkup usually occurs three to four days
after birth, depending on his health and your pediatrician's
recommendations and style of practice.
You can expect the following to occur at this month's checkup:
- Measurement of baby's weight, length, and head circumference
and the charting of progress since birth.
- Questions about how you and the baby are doing
- A physical exam
- A report on any neonatal screening tests that may have
occurred.
Your physician may also cover standard hygiene care for
you to during these busy first few weeks.
- Umbilical Cord Care: The umbilical cord stump normally
falls off during the second week. Until then, skip tub baths
(sponge baths are fine), dab the stump with alcohol to keep
clean and when putting on a diaper, fold the front down
below the navel to let the air in and keep urine off.
- Circumcised Penis Care: Use a dab of petroleum jelly and
to prevent diapers from sticking to the circumcised area.
- Nail trimming: It's best to trim your baby's nails to
ensure that he does not scratch his face. It's easier to
cut his nails while he is sleeping by using a baby nail
scissor. To avoid nipping the skin, press the finger pad
down and out of the way as you cut.
- Bathing/Shampooing: A sponge bath can occur two to three
days a week. Shampoo only once or twice a week. Just a drop
of shampoo is needed and it's easiest to use a cup to pour
water over his head.
- Diapering: It is important to change your baby's diaper
frequently to keep his skin dry and clean. This is the best
way to avoid diaper
rash and skin irritation on a baby's delicate bottom.
Birthmarks
Your baby may have small pink or red spots on her forehead,
eyelids, or the back of her neck - commonly referred to as
"stork bites." They are a form of birthmark that is caused
by tiny capillaries close to the surface of the skin. They
should disappear completely by age three or four. To read
more about other types of birthmarks click
here
Additional Health and Safety
Information
Tip of the Month:
Your first week home
You will most likely be inundated with phone calls from
friends and loved ones who want to come visit you and the
baby. But try to keep visits at a minimum during the first
week or so. You need time to rest and regain your strength--and
your baby needs time to adjust to life outside the womb.
Note: Developmental information within this newsletter provides
parents with general guidelines to follow. Remember, all babies
develop differently, and few hit their milestones exactly
when conventional wisdom says they will. If your child was
born prematurely, you can use your due date as a baseline
for following your baby's development.
Reviewed by:
Alfred Carlson, Jr., MD
Pediatric Medical Associates
Review Date: Sept. 2004
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