Advice for Age Two Months - Advocare Society Hill Pediatrics

Advocare Advice for Age Two Months

Immunizations:

To protect babies from whooping cough and the flu, parents and caregivers must ensure that their own vaccinations are up to date. Visit your doctor for a tetanus booster with whooping cough and influenza shot. Make sure siblings' immunizations are also current.
At two months your child receives the DTaP, HIB, IPV, Prevnar, and Rotavirus vaccines.
About thirty percent of babies will get fever, cranky and soreness at the site of the injections; this can last for 48 to 72 hours. One to three percent of babies who receive the Rotavirus vaccine may have mild diarrhea or vomiting for a few days to a week.
If your infant has these reactions to the immunizations, you may use infant Tylenol® or Acetaminophen to relieve the symptoms. Use the infant drops (instead of the children's preparations) every four hours as needed over the next 48 hours.

Safety:

Keep a smoke-free home.
Never hold hot liquids while holding your baby.
Set your water heater to the low setting at 120°F degrees. To prevent burns, always test the water before bathing your baby.
Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home; test and replace batteries as needed.
Always use a car seat in the back seat, facing the rear of the car.
Never leave baby unattended on bed, couch, or table. Babies roll when you least expect it!
Always secure babies in strollers, rockers, and car seats.
Make your home smoke-free. Don't expose your baby to tobacco smoke.
Notify your pediatrician if your baby has a rectal temperature 101°F or over.

Feeding and Growth:

Babies will continue to gain one to two pounds a month.
Continue to feed on demand, but recognize that fussing doesn't always mean hunger.
No solid foods, only breast milk or formula. No honey or corn (karo) syrup.
Babies do not need extra water. Both formula and breast milk are more than 50% water.

Developmental Issues:

Talk, sing, and cuddle your baby. Start to read books. Play music.
When you talk to your baby, you'll notice that your baby will be "talking more" in response – this is called reciprocal cooing. Your baby will smile and be more responsive to your voice as you hold him/her.
Start to teach your baby to fall asleep on his/her own. As your baby falls asleep in your arms, start to put him/her down in a crib or bed to fall asleep. (If you start this now, you will save yourself sleepless nights later!) Many babies still wake at night for feedings.

Next visit: when your baby is four months old.