Well-Child Checkup: 2 Months
At 2 months, I am:
• Becoming more aware of my surroundings and will follow people and objects with my eyes.
• Smiling and cooing.
• Attempting to locate sounds I hear.
• Lifting my head and trying to roll.
• Stimulated by watching a mobile or my reflection in a mirror.
• Likely able to sleep for four or more hours at night.
Please remember to:
• Put me on my back to sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm mattress. Do not let me sleep in a bouncer, swing, sleep nest, or surface inclined at greater than a 10 degree angle due to higher risk for SIDS.
• Give me tummy time regularly throughout the day to help me build upper body strength and to avoid flatness in the back of my head.
• Only give me breastmilk or formula until I am at least 4 months old.
• Always use the car seat and don’t leave me alone in the car.
• Avoid holding me when drinking hot liquids or smoking to avoid burns.
• Never leave me on the bed or changing table alone because it only takes a second to roll off.
• Never shake me vigorously because my head and neck are fragile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Take My Baby Out In Public?
• Yes! You should take your baby outside for walks, errands, and social outings because it helps stimulate your baby’s development.
• Dress the baby appropriately for cold or hot weather.
• Shield the baby from the sun as much as possible using clothing, hat, and a sun shade. If sun exposure if unavoidable your doctor may recommend a small amount of mineral-based sunscreen. (Please note sunscreen has not being studied in babies less than 6 months old.)
• Avoid crowded places such as the airport or places likely to have sick people such as the hospital or a children’s birthday party. Use hand sanitizer before handling the baby or their belongings to prevent infection.
Is It OK To Give My Fussy Baby Medicines For Colic?
• Avoid giving your baby any medications (including homeopathic medicines and herbal supplements) unless your doctor recommends it.
• If you feel your baby is very uncomfortable or in need of medicines, please contact your baby's doctor to discuss first.
Is It Normal For My Baby To Get Fussy At Night?
• Babies typically experience evening fussiness peaking around six to eight weeks of age then will begin to improve.
• Soothe your baby with a warm bath, swaddling, rocking, shushing, and a pacifier.
• If you're concerned about excessive crying, prolonged distress, feeding issues, or other concerns, consult your doctor.
How Much Should I Feed My Baby?
• Babies are great at self-regulating their intake and will take what they need to gain weight appropriately.
• Breastfeeding will provide the right amount of milk your baby needs.
• If bottle-feeding, you will know it is time to increase the amount if your baby empties the entire bottle.
• Make sure to feed your baby when she's acting hungry, but that doesn't mean she needs to eat every time she makes a peep.
• Stick to breastmilk or iron-fortified formula and wait to introduce solid foods until at least four months of age.
My Baby Prefers to Sleep in a Bouncer or Swing. Is that OK?
• Bouncers, swings, sleep nests, and surfaces inclined at greater than a 10 degree angle are not safe for sleep and have a higher risk for SIDS.
• Use a crib or bassinet with a firm and flat mattress for sleep.
How Can I Teach My Baby to Sleep Better?
• Use room darkening shades at night. If you need to turn on the lights overnight, use a red light bulb instead of a phone light or regular lightbulb.
• Turn on a sound machine for white noise.
• Put the baby in the crib or bassinet awake so she can learn to fall asleep there instead of in your arms. If she fusses, try a gentle pat on the chest but pick her up if she is crying. Babies are too young to “cry it out” until a minimum of 4 months of age if you choose to use this technique for sleep. Be patient and remember, learning the skill of sleep takes time.
After the shots…
Your child may need extra love and care after getting vaccinated. Some vaccinations that protect children from serious diseases also can cause discomfort for awhile.
Here are answers to questions many parents have after their children have been vaccinated. If this doesn’t answer your questions, call your healthcare provider.
Vaccinations may hurt a little... but disease can hurt a lot!
Call your healthcare provider right away if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions:
• Does your child have a temperature that your healthcare provider has told you to be concerned about?
• Is your child pale or limp?
• Has your child been crying for or more than 3 hours and just won’t quit?
• Is your child’s body shaking, twitching, or jerking?
• Is your child very noticeably less active or responsive?
If your child has a fever you can:
• Check your child’s temperature by taking a temperature in the armpit using an electronic thermometer (or by using the method of temperature-taking your healthcare provider recommends). If your child has a temperature 102 or higher or if you have questions, call your healthcare provider.
• Give your child plenty to drink.
• Dress your child lightly. Do not cover or wrap your child tightly.
• For fever, give acetaminophen (2 months and older) or ibuprofen (6 months and older). Do not give aspirin. Use the chart below to determine the dose corresponding to your child’s weight.
• Recheck your child’s temperature after 1 hour. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions.
If your child is fussy you can:
• For fussiness, give acetaminophen (2 months and older) or ibuprofen (6 months and older). Do not give aspirin. Use the chart below to determine the dose corresponding to your child’s weight.
• If your child is fussy for more than 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.
If your child’s leg or arm is swollen, hot, and red, you can:
• Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the sore area for comfort.
• For pain, give acetaminophen (2 months and older) or ibuprofen (6 months and older). Do not give aspirin. Use the chart below to determine the dose corresponding to your child’s weight.
• If the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.
If you are worried at all about how your child looks or feels, call your healthcare provider!
Medicines and Dosages to Reduce Pain and Fever
• Choose the proper medicine and measure the dose accurately.
• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which medicine is best for your child.
• Give the dose based on your child’s weight. If you don’t know your child’s weight, give the dose based on your child’s age. Do not give more medicine than is recommended.
• If you have questions about dosage amounts or any other concerns, call your healthcare provider.
• Always use a proper measuring device. When giving acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen liquid (e.g., Advil, Motrin), use the device enclosed in the package. If you misplace the device, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice. Kitchen spoons are not accurate measures.
Take these two steps to avoid causing a serious medication overdose in your child.
1. Don’t give your child a larger amount of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil) than is shown in the table below. Too much of any of these medicines can cause an overdose.
2. When you give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, don’t also give them over-the-counter (OTC) cough or cold medicines. This can also cause a medication overdose because cough and cold medicines often contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In fact, to be safe, don’t give OTC cough and cold medicines to your child unless you talk to your child’s healthcare provider first.
Taking Care of You
As a new parent, it's important to remember to care for yourself too. You will be able to show up better for yourself and your family when your own needs are met. Here’s a few self-care tips.
Sleep When You Can: Sleep deprivation is a common challenge for new parents and can increase your risk for postpartum depression. Take advantage of your baby's naps and get as much rest as possible. Start teaching your baby to learn to fall asleep independently by putting her to bed while awake. Work as a team with your partner to manage to overnight awakenings. It can help to “take shifts” so each person gets a block of time to sleep.
Accept Help: Don’t hesitate to accept assistance from friends and family. They can help with household chores, childcare, or even just providing emotional support.
Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your energy levels up. Eating well can have a positive impact on your mood and overall health. Drink plenty of water especially if you are breastfeeding.
Stay Active: Take your baby out for a walk in the stroller. Exercise, even in small amounts, can boost your mood and energy levels.
Connect with Other Parents: Join parent support groups, both in person and online. Sharing your experiences with other new parents can be comforting and provide valuable advice.
Monitor Your Mental Health: Be aware of postpartum depression and other mood disorders. If you experience persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness, seek help from your healthcare provider.
Seek Professional Help When Necessary: If you feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unable to cope with your emotions, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Therapy, counseling, or support groups can provide the necessary support.
Communicate with Your Partner: Keep the lines of communication open with your partner. Sharing your feelings, fears, and challenges can help you both navigate parenthood together.
Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that it's okay to have difficult days. Parenting is a learning process, and nobody is perfect. Be kind to yourself and set realistic expectations.
Take Breaks: It's okay to take breaks when you need them. Trust a reliable caregiver to watch your baby for a while, so you can recharge.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help you stay in the present moment, reduce stress, and find joy in the little things.
Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Every accomplishment matters. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish; it's essential for providing the best care for your baby. If you ever feel like you're struggling with postpartum depression or any other mental health issue, reach out for support without hesitation. Your well-being matters, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Secondhand Smoke & E-Cigarettes
What is secondhand smoke?
• Nonsmoking children who live in homes with smokers are exposed to cigarette smoke. This situation is called “passive smoking.” Children are exposed to both secondhand smoke (exhaled from smoker) and sidestream smoke (smoke from the cigarette).
• The invisible, toxic particles from cigarette smoke stay in a room for hours after the cigarette has been smoked.
• Secondhand smoke is a Class A carcinogen and is ranked the third leading preventable cause of death. This category includes the most potent cancer-causing agents such as asbestos and arsenic.
How does secondhand smoke affect my child?
Secondhand smoke causes:
• 1 million asthma episodes in children every year.
• More respiratory infections (including bronchitis and pneumonia)
• More ear infections
• Twice the chance of developing lung cancer as an adult.
Also, a nursing mother who smokes passes nicotine and harmful chemicals in her breastmilk directly to her infant and children whose parents smoke are much more likely to become smokers themselves.
How can E-cigarettes affect my child?
• The solution found in E-cigarettes can poison children through swallowing or skin contact.
• Less than half a teaspoon of nicotine can kills a young child.
• Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include sweating, dizziness, vomiting and increased heart rate.
• Call poison control if your child has an exposure to nicotine.
Ready to quit? Here are 8 steps to quit smoking.
1. Think about quitting. Make a list of your specific reasons for quitting. Talk to others about smoking and quitting, and observe how nonsmokers react to smokers. Think about the negative aspects of smoking and the positive aspects of quitting. Begin to visualize yourself as a nonsmoker.
2. Examine your smoking patterns. Start a smoking journal and record each cigarette you smoke, listing the situation, who you are with and what you are feeling at the time. When you feel an urge to smoke, try to wait a moment before lighting up and think about what you could do rather than smoke in that situation.
3. Decide to quit. Using your smoking journal, identify the trigger situations in which you are more likely to smoke. Try stress-reduction techniques such as deep- breathing. Postpone each cigarette by five minutes. Tell family and friends your plans to quit and ask for their help. Develop a nonsmoking support system.
4. Talk to your doctor about medications to help you quit smoking. Chantix, Zyban and nicotine replacement products can all help you be more successful at quitting smoking.
5. Set a quit date. Make a contract with yourself to quit. Have clear goals and make a list of rewards you can give yourself for achieving each goal. Prepare a list of coping responses to your top ten smoking triggers.
6. Quit for 24 hours. Discard all smoking materials, including ashtrays and lighters. Plan your quit day activities in advance and schedule healthful events. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. Use your support system by phoning for help when you need it.
7. Complete your first week as a nonsmoker. Reward yourself daily for achieving your goals. Have your teeth, clothes and car cleaned. Avoid smoking areas and, if necessary, smoking friends. Begin an exercise program.
8. Complete your first month. Focus on your new, healthier lifestyle. Make a list of all the positive aspects of quitting (improved sense of smell and taste, greater energy and stamina levels, less coughing, etc.).
9. Maintain your smoke-free status. Gradually increase your exercise level. Work on stress reduction techniques. Volunteer to help a friend quit smoking. Continue to reward yourself for a job well done.
If you slip up and smoke one cigarette, begin again at Step 6. If you relapse and begin smoking again, don’t despair. Most smokers quit three to five times before they are finally successful. Look at previous attempts as “rehearsals” to quitting, not as failures.
Begin again and remember to take it one day at a time.
If you need additional help quitting, the Sharp Center for Health Promotion has resources to support you. Find out more at sharp.com.
Reference: E-Cigarettes and Vaping: What Parents Need to Know, The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Tobacco Control
|