It is important to note that the best source of information regarding the health of your baby and it’s habits is from your pediatrician.
EATING PATTERNS
For the first few months, it is better to feed your baby on demand. Over several months, a feeding schedule will develop. Make every effort for this time to be enjoyable for both of you.
RULE OF THUMB FOR BREAST-FEEDING:
Every one and a half to three hours for 20-30 minutes.
RULE OF THUMB FOR BOTTLE-FEEDING:
In the first few days, expect the baby to drink between one and three ounces per feeding. The amount of time between feedings is equivalent to the number of ounces he/she drinks (i.e. one ounce equals one hour).
Regardless of whether you breast or bottle-feed, do not be anxious about counting ounces or minutes, but never go longer than four hours between feedings. All is normal if your baby wets five or six diapers per day and has regular bowel movements. Be aware that babies go through growth spurts at three and six weeks and three and six months. They may want to feed more frequently.
CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN IF YOUR BABY HAS ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS:
- Skin around the cord or circumcision is red, warm, and/or has a foul-smelling discharge.
- Axillary (under arm) temperature measures less than 96º or greater than 99º, or rectal temperature is less than 98º or greater than 101º.
- Baby struggles to breathe, grunts, has nostrils flaring with inspiration, or takes more than 50 breaths per minute.
- Baby shows no interest in feeding or sucking for more than a six-hour period.
- Baby has no wet diapers for more than a six-hour period after the third day.
- Skin is bluish around the mouth or over the whole body. (Blue hands and feet mean baby is chilled).
- Baby is shaking and very irritable.
- Baby vomits forcefully, more than once, not the usual spitting up or dribbling with burps.
- Soft spot bulges.
- There is a constant yellow discharge from the eyes.
- Whites of eyes or whole body turns yellow.
- Your instincts and observations tell you something is wrong.
HOW TO BUY A SAFE CAR SEAT
Today, it is required by law that all babies ride in a car seat until the age of five. There are several types of car seats, and they fall into two basic categories. You can use an “infant-only” car seat until the baby weighs 20 pounds. At that time, you must begin using a toddler-sized seat. All infant car seats face the rear of the car and are light enough to double as a carrier outside the car. Be sure to support the infant’s head and shoulders with a rolled blanket or similar padding. Once you change to the toddler seat, install it facing forward. If you have two cars, consider buying two seats, since the baby must be in a car seat at all times. Household infant seats, carriers, and travel beds are unsafe in the car, and it is even more dangerous to allow the baby to ride in someone’s arms.
There is now a seat that can be used as both an infant and a toddler car seat called the “convertible car seat.” It usually stays buckled in the car. It is heavier and costs more, but is more cost-effective in the long run since you’re not buying two.
There are many places you can buy car seats, such as children’s stores, drug stores, and discount outlets. Or you could ask your hospital about renting or buying one. We suggest you buy a car seat before your baby arrives so you can learn how it works and how to install it in your car. When choosing a seat, ask yourself these questions: Is it easy to use? Will it fit easily into my car? Is it easy to fasten and unfasten? How difficult will it be to remove? How difficult will it be to put my child in the seat?
All car seats are held in place by a seatbelt. Some also have a tether, which is a strap on the back of the seat that gives extra security. This tether must be permanently bolted to the body of the car. If it doesn’t have a tether, you can move it between the front or back seats, although the back seat is safer. If your car has a passenger side air bag, you must place the car seat in the back seat.*
*It is a state law that your baby be discharged from the hospital in an approved car seat.
