2 Weeks Checkup

Height: ____  Weight ____  Head Circ: ____

FEEDING: Breastmilk and/or formula should be your child’s sole source of nutrition. We recommend feeding on demand. If formula feeding, let your baby take what he will within 20 minutes. Breastmilk may be digested rather rapidly so your baby may want to nurse frequently. About every 2-4 hours is normal. Feeding should be limited to 20-30 minutes. Offer both breasts at each feeding. Nursing mothers should drink at least 2 quarts of fluids per day. Give your baby vitamins with iron and fluoride starting at 8 weeks of age if you are breastfeeding or if you are using a “Ready to Feed” formula.

ELIMINATION: Urinary stream should be forceful. If not, bring this to our attention. Stools may vary greatly. For breastfed babies, the stools are often quite frequent, and generally mustard yellow in color with a consistency from watery to seedy to mushy. Formula fed babies have less frequent, pale yellow to light brown stools that are firmer and more odorous. Frequency may be one with every feeding to one every 2-4 days or so. As long as they are not hard or pellet-like, this is normal for both breast and formula fed babies. Contact us before attempting any treatment for hard stools.

SLEEP: Sleep requirements vary considerably. For the first few months, the average is 18-20 hours per day, and 3-5 hours between feedings. Babies learn how to fall asleep. Because of this, we recommend that you allow your baby to fall asleep in his own bed. This will avert problems in the long run.

SLEEP POSITION: The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep. Sleeping on the belly has been linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and since the new recommendations have been made, the incidence of SIDS has dropped significantly. Side sleeping (on the right, using a wedge) may be acceptable if your baby has reflux.

DEVELOPMENT:

• Marked head lag
• Strong startle and grasp reflexes
• Turns head from side to side when prone, lifts head momentarily
• Follows light to midline
• Cries to express displeasure
• Keeps hands predominantly closed

PLAY:

• Talk to your infant, sing in a soft voice (Dad too!)
• Play music box, radio, TV; a ticking clock may be soothing
• Hold, caress, cuddle, massage, and rock your infant
• Use stroller for walks (after 1 month of age)

SAFETY:

• Never leave your baby on a raised, unguarded surface
• Never leave your baby in the sun, or unattended in your car.
• Check the temperature of the bath water carefully.
• Set the water heater to 120 degrees or less
• Install smoke detectors
• Use an approved car seat

SMOKING: Do not smoke around your baby, or even in the house or the car. Exposure to cigarette smoke has been linked to numerous illnesses: crib death, ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, and growth retardation. Keep in mind, too, that you are your child’s most trusted role model. Do you really want your child to smoke?

FUSSINESS: Fussiness is common, and may last 1-2 hours a day. There often is no discernable reason for such.

SPOILING: We do not believe an infant can be spoiled. It is very important to hold, rock, and touch your baby. Your baby learns very early to count on you to give him or her the attention needed. You provide not only food, but love and warmth in your touch and voice. Your baby learns to trust people in his own little world, and that the world is a predictable place to live. This basic sense of trust is what psychologists call the CORNERSTONE OF A HEALTHY PERSONALITY.

FEVER: Any temperature greater than 100.4 degrees RECTALLY in a baby less than 3 months of age may be very serious. Please call immediately or take your baby to the ER for appropriate evaluation.