The baby should be smiling and cooing. The vision is now
clear and they are looking at things more intently. The next development is
rolling over. This is occurring at a later age than before since we are
sleeping them on their backs, so rolling is 2 to 5 months and frequently 5
months old. When the infant roles, crawls, and walks does not necessarily
correlate with intelligence. Sooner means they are more active so sooner is
not necessarily better. They may accidentally role over, but when they learn
to role it will be every day. They also develop drooling and chewing but
this is not teething. The majority of babies erupt their teeth after 6 months
old, but all drool and chew at this time. Teething does not cause fever or
crying a lot at night, so if your baby is ill, please call for an
appointment. Plus this isn’t teething, just drooling and chewing. The
latest I ever saw was a baby in for the 18th month check up with no teeth
yet. And he was drooling and chewing at 2 months old. Sooner is not better
in rolling and walking cause they are more active; and sooner is not better
in teeth because late teeth are stronger and have fewer cavities ; and third,
sooner is not better in foods because of food allergies. Please hold back
starting many foods until the baby really needs them. Babies are eating a lot
and you should continue feeding them as much breast milk or formula as they
want. It’s OK to give rice cereal in bottles or feeder if they are starving
but try to wait. Cereal does not make them sleep through the night any
sooner. You can use a spoon if you want, but they will do better with the
spoon at 4 months. You may give apple juice for constipation, if needed. Do
not start vegetables or meat till 6 months. All they need is breast milk or
formula till 6 Months old so the cereal or juice is as-needed only. Check
the growth charts and see that the height and weight are going up the curves
in the normal range.
They may go out and travel but keep them away from people
who are ill. If it is sunny, you can put sunscreen on them. If there are a
lot of insects, you can put a piece of mosquito netting or the mesh cover that
they sell to protect the infant over the carrier. If you have to protect the
baby, you can spray your hand with “Off” and lightly spread it on their arms
and legs.
They are learning your face now so get the parents’ face
in their face as much as possible and talk a lot to them. Smile a lot to them
so they will smile. Pick them up when they cry to find out what’s wrong. You
are not spoiling them. You will not spoil them until 9 months old or older.
They are bonding with you now.
The colic should be about gone and they are a happier
baby now who should be near sleeping through the night. It is not “bad” to
sleep with your infant but realize there is the rare risk of suffocation.
Decide what is best for your family and sleeping arrangements.
Vaccinations will be given at this time. They are given
at birth, 2m, 4m, 6m, 1y, 18m, 4y. Additional times may be needed. The
vaccine schedule has changed every year and sometimes more often. I will not
post here the schedule but be assured we will stay up with what is current and
recommended by the AAP and CDC. We will not give your infant a vaccine we
know has a high risk of problems. There is always a very rare risk of vaccine
complications. You will read on web sites and 20-20 type shows on TV how
horrible and dangerous these shots are. WRONG. I treat your infant as my own
and knowing all the facts I would give these to my grandchild. Plan on giving
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to your baby because they may have a sore leg. They
rarely run fever and usually are just fussy and tired. Any reaction is during
the next 24 hours. If they are sick next week, that is not from the shot so
come in. You may give the Tylenol ahead of time or during the office visit.
The dose is at this web site.
The next visit would typically be at 4 months unless
otherwise stated.
Dr. Knapp
