Baby's Care and Development
Your three to five month old
Most three to five month olds have discovered their hands.
Your baby's eyes are probably very active, and may even follow
sounds and moving objects.
Feeding Your Baby
Your three to five month old baby's main source of nutrients
should continue to come from breast milk or iron-fortified
formula.
Breastfeeding
- Breast-fed babies need to nurse every three to four hours
during the day and may need one feeding during the night.
Bottle-feeding Formula
- Formula fed babies need to eat every three to four hours
and may need one feeding during the night. Put six to eight
ounces of formula in each bottle. Your baby should drink
about 30 to 38 ounces of formula in 24 hours.
Caring for Your Baby
Bathing
- Your baby can roll over now so take care to hold baby
with one or two hands. Keep the water level low and the
temperature warm.
- Never leave your baby alone in the bath - even if they
are in a bath seat.
Skin Care
- It is okay to wash your baby's clothes as you wash your
own.
- Keep your baby covered and protected from direct sunlight.
Talk with your doctor or nurse before using any sunscreen
or sun block lotions.
Mouth and Dental Care
- Your baby's first teeth may start to come in. If not,
don't worry, babies' teeth come in at different times.
- For teething, give your baby something cold and wet
to bite on like a teething ring or a clean, wet washcloth.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse before using teething
gels or medications.
• If your baby has teeth, clean them with a soft towel or small brush.
If there are no teeth, use a soft washcloth on their gums.
Sleeping
- Your baby should sleep about 14 hours a day.
- Most babies sleep through the night at around six months
of age.
- Remember that for baby's
safe sleep always place your baby on its back to
sleep (for naps and at night).
Health Care
Your baby needs a check-up and shots
(immunizations) around four months. At the check-up,
make sure to ask all of your questions.
Your Baby's Development
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 you can't open the link above, try the plain
text version.
Your Baby's Safety
- Do not put anything around your baby's neck (no pacifiers
or jewelry). String, ribbon or chains might strangle your
baby.
- Watch out for strings and drawstrings on clothing too.
- Use an approved car seat on every ride.
- Never leave your baby alone.
- Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke. (For tips
on how to deal with secondhand smoke, download Oh
Baby! We want to keep you safe from secondhand smoke.
If this piece downloads too slowly, try the plain
text version.)
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: February 2013 |
