Behavior Archives - People's Community Clinic

Important Points About Your 2 Week-Old Baby

Family

Having a new baby can be hard- Talk to your provider if you are feeling like taking care of your baby is really getting you down or if you are worried about depression. (Feeling depressed after giving birth is common and actually has a name – it is called postpartum depression.) Do not shake your baby, no matter how frustrated you feel. It is ok to put your baby down in a safe place, even if she is crying, and step away for about 5-10 minutes.

Development

Crying- It does not always mean your baby is hungry. Don’t let feeding become a pacifier. Each time you nurse your baby, also take time to snuggle with him afterwards, without feeding. This way he does not get into the habit of having to eat every time you hold him.

Hiccups and sneezing- They are normal at this age.

Tummy time- This is important to do with your baby several times a day, supervised. Putting your baby on his tummy helps prevent flat head. It helps your baby’s back and neck muscles to get stronger.

Health

Vitamin D- Make sure you have bought Vitamin D for your baby if you are mostly breastfeeding. This is important for the growth of your baby’s bones.

Fever- A fever of 100.4º or more is an emergency for a baby less than 2 months old. Take your baby to the emergency room. Do not give a baby Tylenol until after she is two months old.

Pooping and peeing- Babies do a lot of grunting and get very red. This does not mean your baby is constipated or in pain. You may also hear tummies growling – this is also normal. Babies usually have 5-6 wet diapers a day. Bowel movements (pooping) can be different depending on feeding. Breastfed infants may go up to 5 days without pooping and bottlefed babies can go up to 3 days. This can be normal as long as the poop is soft.

Nutrition

Feeding- Until your baby is 1 month old, you need to wake her up to feed every 3 hours. Your baby only needs to drink breast milk or formula. She does not need other things to drink or eat until 6 months.

Safety

Hot water heater- Make sure the temperature is turned down to 120 degrees.
Smoke alarm- Check the batteries every 6 months.
Carbon monoxide detector- Get one if you use gas at home.
If your crib is old or an antique- Make sure that it was not painted with lead-based paint
and that the spaces between rails are not more than three fingers wide.
Car safety- The safest place for your baby in the car is in the car seat, facing backward, in the center of the back seat. Never seat a baby in front of an air-bag.

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important Points About Your 2 Month Old Baby

Family

By this time, you may be thinking about going back to work soon. Make sure you have made plans for childcare. You may also want to discuss decisions about family planning with your provider or if you would like information on birth control options.

Development

Important! Hold, cuddle, talk, sing, and read to your baby. Your baby should be cooing at this age, responding to sound, and lifting her head when lying down. Tummy time will help strengthen your baby’s back and neck muscles and prevent her head from flattening in the back.

Health

Fever- Please call us for any fever higher than 100.4°. After hours, take your baby to the emergency room. After 3 months of age, your baby should be seen if his temperature is 102.2° or higher, or lasts more than 3 to 4 days. A fever helps the body fight infection. You don’t need to give your baby medicine if her fever is less than 102°. But if she seems uncomfortable, you can. Use Tylenol (acetaminophen). Do not use Motrin, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Other “over the counter” medications are not safe and should only be given if your medical provider tells you.

Sleep- Remember, your baby needs to be sleeping in his own crib. By this age he should be waking up less often in the middle of the night. Make nighttime feedings brief and boring, and do not turn on the lights. This way your baby will start to sleep longer periods during the night and do most of his feedings during the day.

Nutrition (Eating)

We encourage you to keep breastfeeding since it still gives benefits to your baby that formula does not. If you are breastfeeding only, keep giving your baby Vitamin D. If you are going back to work, you can store your breast milk. Use the Rule of 3: Breast milk can be kept 3 hours at room temperature, 3 days in the refrigerator, and 3 months in the freezer. Wait until 6 months before introducing other food to your baby to prevent obesity (being overweight) and nitrate poisoning (nitrate is a chemical found in some vegetables and fruits). At 6 months, you can introduce some baby cereal with a spoon.

Safety

Keep putting your baby on his back to sleep to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Your baby may start rolling soon, so never leave him alone on a table or bed or anywhere he can fall. Hot water heaters are usually set at 140 °F and this could burn your baby. Set yours at 120 °F. Keep putting your baby in a rear-facing car seat only. Do not smoke in the house or car if your baby is with you.

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important Points About Your 4 Month Old Baby

Family

By this time, you may be thinking about going back to work soon. Make sure you have made plans for childcare. Prepare 1-2 weeks before going back to work, you may want to do trial runs of what your mornings will be like when you have to get ready with the baby before dropping her off at the nanny or daycare. This way the transition will be easier. Make sure that you make time for yourself, your partner, and your other children as well. You may also want to talk to your provider about family planning and get information on birth control options.

Development

Your baby should be smiling, laughing, and babbling. He should have good head control. He should begin to roll over and reach for objects. We encourage you to continue tummy time. Infant massage can also help calm and relax your baby when he is fussy. Continue to read to your baby.

Health

Setting up a daily routine for feedings, naps, and bedtime will help make longer sleeping stretches at night. Help your baby learn to put herself to sleep by putting her in her crib when she is drowsy, talking gently, and patting her to sleep. Providing regular structure and routines for your baby will help with her sense of security. The baby should not be sleeping in bed with you. Babies are very active at this age and can easily fall off of the bed.

If your baby is teething, he may be drooling a lot. Let him chew on cold teething rings. Wash your baby’s gums and teeth with a cloth and water twice a day, including once before bedtime. Never let your baby sleep with a bottle. Hold the bottle instead of propping it up and leaving it with the baby. Both of these things increase your baby’s risk of choking and tooth decay.

Nutrition

If your provider agrees, you can begin baby cereal with a spoon. Wait until six months to start other solid foods, beginning with mashed vegetables. Don’t give your baby any cow’s milk, honey, or egg whites until 12 months. If you are breastfeeding only and not using any formula, you will need to change from Vitamin D supplements to Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron.

Safety

Set your hot water heater at 120 °F. Never leave your child unattended in a place where he could fall. Never leave your baby alone in the car, even for a minute! The car seat should still be in the back seat, rear facing. Never place an infant in front of an airbag. Do not use a walker with wheels.

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important Points about your 6 Month Old Baby

Family

Caring for your baby can require a lot of time. Remember to still make time for your partner, your other children, and to reconnect with friends. Connecting with other moms can serve as a good support system.

Development

You will notice your baby will enjoy face-to-face play. He/She may now sit with support and begin to string sounds together. He/She should be reaching for objects and transferring them between his hands. It is important to play and continue to read daily and engage your baby to help with brain development.

Health

Now that your baby is starting to eat, remember never to share spoons with your infant nor clean his/her pacifier with your mouth. This can increase their risk of getting cavities. Find your baby a dentist and schedule his first dental appointment, even if he doesn’t have teeth. If your baby has teeth, you should brush them twice a day with a toothbrush and children’s fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than the size of a grain of rice. Never let your baby sleep with or prop a bottle, and start removing night feeds. These may both increase the risk of cavities. You may also introduce a sippy cup now. Seek care with any fever higher than 102.2 °F.

Nutrition

We encourage you to keep breastfeeding your infant. If your baby has good head control you may introduce solids (vegetables first). Introduce a new food item for one week before trying another item to see if your baby has an allergic reaction to the food. Don’t give any cow’s milk or honey until 12 months of age. Do not give your baby juice unless directed by your provider.

Safety

Walkers with wheels are not recommended because of the risk of head injuries and they do not help your baby learn to walk. Some studies suggest walkers may actually delay motor development (crawling/walking). It’s time to childproof your home!

Poison Control: 1 (800) 222-1222. Keep this number in a place where you can easily find it and add it your cell phone contacts. Call this number immediately if your child swallows something he shouldn’t (like detergent or adult medicine).

Never leave dangerous items within the reach of babies (like small objects of plastic bags).

Never leave your child unattended especially on your bed as he is moving more and can fall.

Never leave your child in the car, even for a minute (risk of child death from the heat).

Never leave your child unattended during bath time (risk of burns and drowning).

Set your hot water heater at 120 F to prevent burns.

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important Information about your 9-10 year old

Family

Show interest in your child and talk to their teacher. Discuss bullying and tell your child to ask for adult help if they encounter a bully. Talk about relationships and expectations. Create a quiet space in your home for them to do homework. Give your child household chores and encourage after-school activities. Allow them personal space and reasonable independence. Trust is important at this age.

Development

Your child may begin to see changes in their body. Answer any questions they may have about puberty or sex. Encourage your child to talk about their thoughts and feelings and teach them about non-violent ways to resolve conflicts. Praise your child for their accomplishments and help build their self-esteem. Teach them the importance of respecting their body as well as the bodies of others.

Health

Hygiene is important at this age. Make sure that your child is showering every day. They need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Be sure they visit the dentist every 6 months. It is important that your child is active for at least 1 hour a day. Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour a day. Do not allow meals in front of the screen (phone, tablet, TV) and no TV in the bedroom. Help your child develop healthy ways to handle stress.

Eating

Your child should be eating 3 meals and 2-3 healthy snacks a day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat together as a family and give your child healthy food options. Offer snacks like fruits, veggies, turkey/cheese roll-up, and plain or vanilla yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult or danonino). Have your child drink water or low-fat milk instead of juice and sports drinks. Limit juice to 4 oz a day and no soda.

Safety

Make sure your child uses safety equipment and a helmet when riding a bike/skateboard. Your child must always wear a seat belt in the back seat of the car. Monitor your child’s TV/computer activities to make sure they are only viewing age-appropriate content. Tell them not to share any personal information online or on social media. Talk to your child about peer pressure. Keep medications locked and out of sight. Talk to your child about the dangers of using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Have your child wear sunscreen when playing outside.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Healthy Basics: Make Smart Choices

You CAN make smart choices.

Choices you make today affect the rest of your life. Tobacco, drugs and alcohol are harmful to you and the people around you. Don’t be afraid to ask an adult you trust if you need help or advice.

TOBACCO

“Try this tobacco. It’ll make you feel grown up.”

“Smoking and chewing tobacco are really bad for you. They make people cough and get dizzy. Plus, they smell bad.”

“No thanks! That stuff is bad for you.”

ALCOHOL

“Have some alcohol. It feels good.”

“My friends have done some stupid and unsafe things while they were drinking. They don’t even remember what they did.”

“No thanks! I’m already having fun.”

DRUGS

“My older brother said drugs are cool. Try some.”

“Kids who do this stuff seem so spaced out. How will I be able to focus in school or play sports? And I might do something stupid.”

“No way, man! Drugs are for losers.”

SMART CHOICES

“I don’t need to drink or smoke or use drugs to have fun.”

“I feel good when I help others.”

“That project was hard! I’m proud of us.”

Important information about your 7-8 year old

Family

Ask your child about their school, activities, and about their worries. Tell them to talk to you or an adult if they are being bullied. Make a quiet space for your child to do their homework away from the TV. Maintain family routines, and try visiting parks, museums and libraries regularly. Be sure to spend separate special time with your child if there are other siblings.

Development

Help your child deal with their emotions by modeling good behavior and habits. Discuss rules with your child and talk about consequences. Give your child chores and let them do things for themselves. Watch for body changes in your child and answer any questions they may have about their changing bodies.

Health

Do not allow more than 1 hour of screen time a day. Monitor what they are watching and tell them not to share personal information online. No TV in the bedroom or meals in front of the screen (phone, tablet, TV). Daily exercise is important for your child. Make it a family routine to play outside every day. Your child should brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. As your child gets older, they will still need plenty of sleep. They should sleep 9 to 12 hours a night.

Eating

Make sure your child eats 3 meals and 2-3 healthy snacks a day. Teach them to eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. Have snacks ready for your child like fruits, vegetables, turkey/cheese roll-up, and plain or vanilla yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult or danonino). Children need 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Half of every meal should be fruits and vegetables. Limit juice to 4 oz a day and no soda. Make sure your child is eating a healthy breakfast.

Safety

When riding in the car, your child should always be using a booster seat in the backseat. When riding their bike, they must always wear a helmet. Get to know your child’s friends and teach your child about peer pressure. Teach your child about “stranger danger”. Tell them that no adult should ask them to keep secrets and no one should touch/see their private parts. Remove firearms from home or lock the firearm and ammunition in separate locations. Your child should wear sunscreen when outdoors.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important information about your 6 year old

Family

Talk with your child every day about school and encourage them to share their worries. Let them know they can talk to you or an adult if they are being bullied. At this age, your child should have simple chores. Teach your child to help others and discuss rules and consequences with your child.

Development

Teach anger management. This will help your child deal with emotions and prevent aggressive behavior. Some examples are going for a walk, talking, or drawing to calm down. Give your child plenty of affection and read with them every day. Praise your child for good behavior and for doing things on their own. Allow up to 1 hour of screen time a day (phone, tablet, TV). Do not let your child eat in front of the TV or tablet. No TV in the bedroom.

Health

Good hygiene is important. Your child should be washing their hands often after playing outside, using computers/phones, or playing with pets. Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Help your child brush their teeth after them. Schedule dentist visits every 6 months. Take your child to the park or have them play outside every day. Make sure your child sleeps 9 to 12 hours every night.

Nutrition

Your child should eat 3 meals and 2-3 healthy snacks a day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Give snacks like fruit, vegetables, turkey/cheese roll-up, and vanilla or plain yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult or danonino). Give your child milk and water instead of juice or sugary sports drinks. Eat together as a family. Children learn by example so remember to eat healthy in front of your child.

Safety

Teach your child to be cautious around cars and never to cross the street alone. Enroll your child in swimming lessons. Have your child wear sunscreen when outside. They should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Teach your child to be safe around adults. Tell your child that no adult should ask them to keep secrets and no one should see/touch their private parts. Remove firearms from home or lock firearm and ammunition in separate locations. Test smoke detectors monthly, and make sure to replace batteries every year.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Important information about your 5 year old

Family

Talk to your child’s teacher when possible. Encourage your child to tell you about school and if they are being bullied. Have your child do small chores or ask them to help around the house. This will teach responsibility. Timeouts should be used as quiet time for your child in a neutral area of the house (one minute for each year of age) with no toys or distractions. Make sure not to talk to them while they are in timeout but be sure to explain to them why they were in timeout.

Development

At this age, your child may have trouble controlling his/her anger. Teach them to talk about their feelings when they are upset. Praise your child for good behavior and give them plenty of affection. Your child will want to be more independent so allow them to do things without help. Have your child follow rules at home in preparation for school. Let your child pick books to read for bedtime.

Health

Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour a day. This includes tablet/phone time as well as educational TV shows. No eating in front of the screen (phone, tablet, TV) and no TV in the bedroom. Encourage the entire family to play together outside every day. Your child should be washing their hands often after playing outside, using computers or phones, and after playing with pets. Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day with pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Brush their teeth after them up until they are seven years old. Make sure your child is getting a good night’s rest. They need 10 to 13 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep will make your child fussy and cranky.

Nutrition

Give your child 3 meals with 2-3 healthy snacks a day. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast every day. For snacks, give your child fruit, vegetables, turkey/cheese roll-up and plain or vanilla yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult or danonino). Give your child milk 2-3 times a day and limit their juice to 4 oz a day and no soda. Teach your child to eat when they are hungry and stop when they feel satisfied.

Safety

Your child should still sit in a booster seat. Teach your child about bus safety and to never cross the street alone. “Stranger danger” is an important lesson for your child. Tell your child that no adult should ask them to keep secrets and no one should touch/see their private parts. Never let your child ride a bicycle without a helmet. Your child should wear sunscreen when playing outside. Teach your child how to swim and always watch them around water. Install smoke alarms in your home.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

Tips for your 5 year old child

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup, my doctor will:

Test my vision and hearing.

Ask how I play with other kids.

Ask what I like to do.

Ask what I eat.

Ask my doctor questions:

What does my doctor think about my weight?

Some doctors will want to screen me for cholesterol and anemia. What does my think?

TAKE CARE OF MY TEETH.

It might be time for my six month dentist visit. Call and set up a visit for me.

I might be fussy because I have new teeth trying to come in. My dentist can check and say what’s going on in my mouth.

HELP ME BE SAFE.

Help me learn the difference between friends, helpful people, and strangers. When we go to a place where there are many people, show me who the helpful people are, like police, clerks at the store, lifeguards at the pool, or park workers at the amusement park. Just in case I can’t find you, I will know a safe person to ask for help to find you.

Be careful about having matches and lighters around the house. I like to try to do what I see you do with the matches and lighters. People my age have been known to start fires playing with these. Don’t smoke around me.

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

Let me have a friend over so we can play games together.

Read with me. Help me learn to read my name and the words on street signs and labels on containers.

Play guessing games with me. Pretend to do something and let me guess what you are doing.

Make different expressions with your face and let me tell you what feelings I see on your face.

Let me have a job to do around the house like setting the table, putting clothes away, or helping you do something else.

Teach me our family’s name, my phone number, and my address. If you and I can’t find each other at the park or store, I can ask someone to find you.

Teach me what the healthy foods are.

Show me how to answer the phone and make a phone call, especially in case of an emergency.

Help me pick the TV programs I watch. Remember, I copy the language I hear and the behaviors I see.

WATCH HOW I GROW.

Watch for me to:

Hop on one foot.

Dress myself, zip zippers, button buttons, and comb my hair.

Play board games and card games with others. We take turns and follow the rules.

Copy two solid lines that cross, so it looks like a plus sign ( + ).

Name at least four colors.

Name at least two shapes like a circle or square.

Be able to follow directions that tell me to put something in, on, under, or behind something else. For example, “Put your book on the bookshelf.”

Draw pictures. When I draw a person, it has at least three parts.

Speak so you can understand most of what I say.

Hear when you talk to me and hear you call me from another room.

Some skills are easy for me. Other skills are harder.

Talk with my teacher about what’s easy and hard for me to do. If you have questions or think I need some help because of some things I can’t do, please ask my doctor, nurse, teacher, or someone in the special education office in my school district.

In these first 5 years, we both have learned a lot. There is much more for us to learn.

I will need you to take some time to:

Listen to what is happening in my life each day.

Look at the papers I bring home from school.

Help me understand how important it is to pay attention in class.

Help me do my school work.

Talk to my teacher.

Support me and encourage me to do the best I can do.

Tell me that you are proud of me when I have done the best I can do.

I will probably do better in school if:

I know you care about the work I do at school.

I know you think school is important.

You help me with my school work.

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