Category: Development

Important Points About Your Newborn

Family

Postpartum depression or baby blues- It’s normal for you to feel sad, irritable, tearful, overwhelmed, and to have trouble sleeping after having a baby. This usually gets better after a couple of weeks. Talk to your provider about your feelings if you need help with them.

Development

Crying is common in newborns. Your baby may be hungry, have a dirty diaper, or have colic. He may be cold, hot, uncomfortable, afraid, tired, or in pain. It is important to try and help your baby with these feelings. Often they just want to be held. You can calm your baby by stroking his head gently, talking to him, swaddling, or gentle rocking. Sucking on hands or fingers does not necessarily mean your baby is hungry. This is one way that babies can soothe themselves. It’s normal for your baby’s stomach to growl or for her to grunt or tum red when pooping.

It’s normal for your baby’s poop to be yellow. seedy, brown, or green. It’s also normal for your baby to have hiccups or to sneeze.

Health

When to get medical care – Go to the ER immediately if your baby has a temperature that is more than 100.4 Always take your baby’s temperature rectally (in her bottom). Do not give your baby Tylenol before 2 months of age, or Motrin before 6 months of age. You should also get medical care if you notice your baby has any trouble breathing. If you notice changes in your baby like eating less or peeing less, or have any other concern, you should also get medical care. (Newborns have between 6-8 wet diapers a day.) Don’t give your baby pacifiers filled with honey. This kind of pacifier can leak and cause serious illness.

Nutrition

Breastfeeding – Newborns should feed every 2-3 hours. Having trouble with breastfeeding? You can make an appointment with our lactation (breast feeding) counselor at 512-684-1744 or at Mom’s Place 512-719-3010. Mom’s Place can get a free breast pump for you. If you choose to formula feed your baby, always make it with 1 scoop of formula to 2 ounces of water. But, breastfeeding is best for your baby.

Safety

Car seat safety- For newborns, the car seat should always be placed facing the rear, in the back seat. www.seatcheck.org has great information and videos on how to install and to put your baby in a car seat the right way.

Sleep- Your newborn baby may sleep 14-16 hours a day for 3 hours at a time. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This can help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or “crib death.” Smoking also increases the risk of SIDS. Also make sure your baby does not have any pillows, blankets or toys in his crib while sleeping. Always put your baby to sleep in the crib, not in the bed 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 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.

Healthy Basics: Body Changes (Girls)

At age 9 or 10, my body naturally begin to change.

A hormone in my body sends a message to the whole body that it’s time to grow up. Since every person is different, every person’s body will change at a different time.Illustration of a young girl bathing

How MY BODY tells me it is changing

On the outside:

  • I’m growing taller and bigger. I need larger clothes and shoes.
  • I notice pimples on my face. I need to wash my face more often.
  • My breasts are starting to grow and sometimes they feel sore.
  • I am gaining weight, because I feel like eating all the time. I need to eat healthy food: whole fruits, vegetables, beans and yogurt—not fast food that will make me fat.
  • I see small hairs growing everywhere: on my arms and legs, underarms, and around my private parts (vagina).
  • My body smells different and has body odor because I perspire (sweat) more. I need to shower every day and use deodorant under my arms.
  • I need to brush my teeth after eating so I won’t have “bad breath”.
  • Sometimes when I am in bed, my leg muscles ache. I am growing and stretching!

Inside I feel different too:

  • I can’t stop what’s happening to my body; it’s part of growing up. I want to look like the other girls.
  • I’m embarrassed about the changes in my body.
  • I feel happy sometimes, and I feel worried or lonely sometimes.
  • It may help to discuss these feelings with your mom or dad. Remember, they are grown up, and they have gone through the body changes too!Illustration of a girl and her mother talking
  • Body changes happen to everyone! It is how you become grown up!