2 Month Visit

2 Month Well Child Visit

Immunizations Today:

__ DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine)

___ IPV (injectable polio vaccine)

___ Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)

___ Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B vaccine)

___ Rotavirus vaccine

Next Visit:

__ at 4 months of age

NUTRITION

¨ Breastfed infants should be fed on demand, usually about every 3-4 hours during the day and at longer intervals at night. Try to keep nighttime feedings “brief and boring.” Your child may have brief periods of high demand feedings, which usually indicates a growth spurt.

¨ Bottle-fed infants usually take about 4 to 5 ounces per feeding during the second month, increasing to 5 to 6 ounces by four months. Most infants average 24-36 ounces per day and feed every 3 to 4 hours during the day, less often at night. Try to keep nighttime feedings brief and boring. Hold the baby in a semi-sitting position to feed. Alternate sides that you hold the baby in so that the head develops symmetrically.

¨ We do not recommend microwave heating, as it can be dangerous because it causes uneven heating and burn your baby’s mouth.

¨ Some parents are convinced that a bedtime feeding of cereal will help their baby sleep better. Actually, when a large group of babies fed cereal at night was compared to another large group of babies fed no cereal, there was no difference in the ages at which they first slept through the night.

¨ Delay the introduction of solid foods until your infant is four to six months of age.

¨ Do not give your infant honey until after his/her first birthday to prevent infant botulism.

¨ Juice is not a substitute for formula or breast milk.

¨ It is not necessary to give your infant water.

ORAL HEALTH

¨ To avoid developing a habit that will harm your infant’s teeth, do not put him/her to bed with a bottle or prop it in his/her mouth.

FEVER/ILLNESS

¨ Fever in and of itself is not a problem. The symptoms associated with fever are much more appropriate to be concerned about.

¨ Ear thermometers are not accurate at this age.

¨ If your child just has a fever and he/she is otherwise behaving normally, it is okay to observe your child for two to three days. If the fever is making your child uncomfortable, you may give Tylenol.

¨ If fever persists more than 24 hours or your child is extremely irritable, difficult to arouse, feeding poorly, or has shortness of breath or rash, call the office.

¨ Infant noses are often stuffy or congested. To make him/her more comfortable, elevate the head of his/her bed and use a bulb syringe and saline nose drops to make him/her comfortable. A cool mist vaporizer/humidifier may be beneficial.

SLEEP

¨ Try to place your infant in bed while drowsy but awake. You will be helping your child learn how to get him/herself to go to sleep on his/her own.

¨ Continue to put the baby to sleep on his/her back or side. Alternate sides to avoid flattening of one or the other sides of the head.

HEALTHY HABITS

¨ Infant CPR courses are offered through The American Red Cross. Call Bill Peck at 241-4434 to schedule an appointment.

¨ The poison control hot line is 275-3232 (local) and 1-800-222-1222 (national).

¨ Keep small objects out of reach.

¨ Give your baby some tummy time each day. He/she will soon roll over, reach for and grab toys, squeal and “talk to you.” Babies are very social at this age. Talk to him/her as you go about your day.

¨ Walkers are dangerous and we advise against purchasing one.

¨ Always place your child in properly secured car seat facing backwards.

¨ Continue to test the water temperature with your wrist to make sure it is not hot before bathing the baby.

¨ Never leave the baby alone with a young sibling or pet.

¨ Do not leave him/her alone in a tub of water or on high places such as changing tables, beds, sofas, or chairs.

¨ Continue to keep the baby’s environment free of smoke. Keep the home and car nonsmoking zones.

¨ Install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide testers if not already in place and make sure they work properly.

¨ Do not drink hot liquids or smoke while holding the baby.

¨ Avoid overexposure to the sun.