Baby's Care and Development
Your one to two month old
Your baby is learning your voice and your touch. And you
are probably learning the different cries for when your baby
is wet, hungry, tired or wants to be held. This is a time
of growth for your baby.
Feeding Your Baby
Your baby needs only breast milk or iron-fortified infant
formula. Giving your baby other foods (such as cereal) at
this time may cause constipation, tummy aches or food sensitivities
(allergies).
Breastfeeding
- Your baby may nurse longer or want to be fed more often
than before. Nurse your baby every two to three hours.
Bottle-feeding Formula
- Babies who drink formula will probably drink four to
five ounces of formula every three hours.
Caring for Your Baby
Bathing
- Babies only need three to four baths a week.
- Use a wash cloth and warm water for washing your baby's
head and face.
- For safety, always keep at least one hand on the baby.
Skin Care
- Wash your baby's clothes in a mild soap.
- Ask your doctor or nurse before using lotion on dry
or flaky skin. You may need a special lotion.
Mouth and Dental Care
- Wipe your baby's gums with a clean washcloth every day.
- If you have been told to give your baby fluoride drops,
continue them until you are told to stop. Do not give more
than is recommended.
Sleeping
- For baby's safe
sleep, always put your baby to bed on its back, unless
your doctor told you not to.
- Most babies this age sleep 14 to 16 hours a day. Your
baby may be different.
- If you have questions or concerns, call your healthcare
provider.
Visit Baby's Safe Sleep to
learn more about safe sleep practices that reduce the risk
of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Health Care
- Your baby will begin his or her regular check-ups
and shots (immunizations) to protect against serious
diseases.
- New moms also need to have a check-up during this time.
- Be sure to keep all your baby's appointments.
- Ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have.
If your baby does not have health insurance, check out
the section on Health
Check and N.C. Health Choice for Children, publicly-funded
child health insurance programs your child may qualify for.
For information on benefits, eligibility, how
to apply and more, visit the Child
Health Insurance portion of this Web site.
Your Baby's Development
Although your baby spends a lot of time sleeping, there
are lots of activities you can do with your baby to help
your baby grow and develop.  See
How We Grow - Baby's First Year can give you specific
ways you can help your baby learn to trust, feel comfortable,
communicate and become aware of how his or her body moves.
If the above link opens too slowly, try the plain
text version.
Your Baby's Safety
Visit the Safety tips page
to learn how to keep your baby safe now and as your baby
gets older -- including reducing the risk of Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.
Other Links
North Carolina Vaccines for Children Program The N.C. Division of Public Health's fact sheet explains eligibility for this program and other information pertaining to reduced costs for required vaccines for children up to 19 years of age.
Period of PURPLE Crying Program web site designed to help parents understand this time in their baby’s life, which is a normal part of every infant’s development.
WIC
Program Breastfeeding and Support WIC strives to increase the incidence
and duration of breastfeeding among women enrolled in the Program.
Carolinas
Poison Center - 1-800-222-1222
National
HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG a new parenting Web site from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The site includes general information related to child health plus more specific guidance on parenting issues and is promoted as "the only parenting Web site backed by 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults."
For more health information, search MedlinePlus |
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Last updated:November 2012 |
