Baby Health Care
From LoveToKnow Baby
Baby health care should be very important to you. If you are the parent of a newborn, you may be a little unsure of just how to care for your baby. Even if you are the parent of a toddler, you still will probably have questions from time to time. Obviously, you should always contact your pediatrician with questions and concerns about your baby's health care.
Newborn Baby Health Care
Taking care of a newborn can be a daunting task in the beginning, especially if this child is your first baby. Eventually, you'll feel so confident taking care of your infant, however, that you can offer other new parents advice!
Feeding
Your newborn will eat every couple of hours or so. You should only feed her breast milk or formula. If you do feed her formula, and she seems to be having digestion problems, contact your pediatrician before switching to another type of formula.
Skin Care
Infants aren't necessarily born with blemish-free skin. In fact, the influx of hormones from mom's body and from their own can wreak havoc on a newborn's skin. Unless your baby seems to feel uncomfortable due to a skin condition, however, you shouldn't be too concerned. Many of his skin problems will clear up over time. You can use baby lotions on your child's skin, but you shouldn't use baby powder.
Diapering
Your newborn will go through lots of diapers in the next few months. Breastfed babies generally have more daily bowel movements than formula fed babies, but don't be surprised if your baby poops several times one day and then not at all the next no matter what type of milk she is eating. If she develops a diaper rash, use an ointment containing zinc oxide to help clear up her skin. Your baby should wet at least six to eight diapers daily. If she doesn't appear to be wetting her diapers regularly, you will need to contact your doctor to rule out the risk of dehydration.
Sleeping
Newborn babies sleep alot, but not for long stretches of time. The best you can do is try and help your baby learn the difference between day and night. You can do this by keeping him in a bright room with noise and activity during the day. At night, get him ready for bed with a routine, and make sure his room is cool and dark. Eventually, he'll adjust to these sleep rhythms. You should always place your infant to sleep on his back to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Illness
Because newborns' immune systems are immature, you will need to contact your doctor if your baby is running a fever of at least 100 degrees.
Baby Health Care: Toddlers
Taking care of your toddler may seem simpler in some respects than taking care of a newborn simply because he can do so many more things on his own. However, there are still several things you should keep in mind when taking care of your toddler's health.
Feeding
You probably began introducing solid foods when your baby was between four and six months of age. Hopefully, you waited a few days before introducing each new food. While you still need to be aware of the risk of food allergies, you need to focus more on the risk of your toddler putting something in his mouth that could be a choking hazard. Be sure you steer clear of giving your child grapes, hard candy, popcorn, hotdogs, nuts, etc., and watch out for small objects that he can access.
Skin Care
Your toddler still may suffer from diaper rashes occasionally, but because she is more mobile, she is likely more at risk of sunburns. Make sure you apply a baby sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to protect her delicate skin.
Diapering
Once you begin potty training your toddler, there are a variety of products available to make the job a little easier. Instead of diapers, you might want to use disposable training pants that are easy to pull up and down. Your toddler may love the novelty of being in control herself!
Sleeping
Although your toddler may have slept through the night for several months, he may now be waking at night and crying for you. He will have to learn to settle himself back to sleep, and he can't do this if you run to his bedside every time he cries. Instead, give him a chance to settle himself back to sleep on his own before you check on him.
Illness
Toddlers are notorious for feeling fine one second and running a full-blown fever the next. You should pay attention to your child's temperature, of course, but you should pay even more attention to how she acts. If she is whiney and listless, she may be sicker than her temperature indicates. Don't hesitate to call your doctor.
Related Baby Links
Baby Development Stage for the First Six Months
Baby Development Stage for Ages Seven Through Twelve Months
Baby Development Stage for Ages Twelve to Twenty-four Months
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