All nutritional needs are still met by breast milk or iron-fortified
formula. Usually no cereals or solids are recommended until 4-6 months.

Infants continue to take 5-6 feedings per day and may drop the night feeding over the next several weeks.

Continue to feed your infant in a semi-sitting position. Propping the bottle up or drinking a bottle in bed contributes to tooth decay and possibly to the development of ear infections due to the direction of drainage in infant ears

This period should be fun for you and your infant. Babies at this age become more interested in the world around them. They will smile more, coo, and blow bubbles. By the end of the fourth month most babies have a real belly laugh.

Continue to talk to your baby as you work since babies learn to speak by imitating. Paying special attention to your child while quiet and alert will increase the amount of time they spend in this manner.

Once the baby begins to use their fingers separately they scratch everything within reach. Their fingernails should be kept short so they do not splinter. Harmless toys and other objects should be offered so the infant can explore with their hands and mouths. Avoid small objects that the child may swallow.

Your infant can now focus on brightly colored objects and tries to follow movement from side to side. The arms are strong enough to raise the chest head high when lying on the belly. You will need to support the baby’s head less and less as the neck muscles gain strength and control.

Your baby may be starting to sleep through the night. If they should wake occasionally and demand food, however, you may give it to them. Babies discover quite early how to get a thumb or finger into their mouths. Do not be concerned that thumb sucking will deform the baby’s teeth during the first few years of life. It is not recommended that you try to forcibly stop thumb sucking at this age.

Maternal antibodies begin to diminish after 2 months of age. This means the beginning of the 6-10 colds which every child has during the first year of life. In general, we do not need to re-examine your infant due to a cold unless they have accompanying features such as high fever or persistence of symptoms.

We would again like to remind you that accidents, not diseases, are the major threat to your child’s health. Please use the infant car seat at all times.

Within the next two months, most babies roll from front to back; never leave the baby unattended in a place from which they might fall. If your child will be in day care, check the references of the day care provider. Your child is your most valuable possession. Find a day care provider that you can trust.

• Fever (above 101)
• Unusual fussiness or tiredness
• Rashes
• Poor Eating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

At this visit your baby will receive: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Comvax (HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b) and Hepatitis B), IPV (inactivated polio), and Prevnar (invasive pneumococcal disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae).

Mild reactions to these vaccines include pain, redness, or swelling at the site of the shot. Tylenol and a warm washcloth on the site may help.

Please call the office if your child develops a high fever or an unusual reaction occurs.

You may give 0.4cc (1/2 dropper) of Tylenol should a fever occur later in the day.