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Advocare Advice for Age Four Months

 Immunizations:

• All caregivers should make sure their own immunizations are up to date; get a tetanus booster with whooping cough and influenza shot to protect your baby.

• At age four months, babies receive DTaP, HIB, IPV, Prevnar, and Rotavirus vaccines. These are the same immunizations received at the two month visit.
• 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 symptoms occur, give your baby some infant acetaminophen, such as Tylenol®.

 Safety:

• Keep a smoke-free home.
• Set water temperature below 120°F degrees.
• Never hold hot liquids while holding your baby.
• Always put your baby in an approved car seat, facing the rear in the back seat of your car. Secure baby in the car seat.
• Childproof your home. Keep plastic bags and small toys away.
• Don't use baby walkers with wheels.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Check smoke detectors twice a year.

Feeding:

• Continue to use breast milk or formula.
• You can introduce solid foods. Start with plain baby cereal such as rice, barley or oatmeal.
• Introduce a new food every three to four days. Babies can have plain pureed fruits or vegetables, and simple grains except for wheat.
• Solid foods are an addition to nursing or bottle feedings, NOT a replacement. Your baby will still get his/her best nutrition from nursing or formula feeding.

 Developmental:

• Your baby is becoming even more enjoyable. He/she will start to grab at things, hold rattles, suck hands, drool constantly, smile, "talk," and laugh. At this age, babies develop good head control. Be silly with your baby. Sing, talk, and cuddle. Read picture books, play music. Soft rattles and teething toys are great to use. Babies like to look in mirrors.
• Continue to teach your baby to fall asleep on his/her own. Some babies comfort themselves by sucking on their hands or thumbs; this is normal and OK. Help your baby learn to comfort herself.

 Next visit: when your baby is six months old.