Robert A. Kaplan, M.D.
Health Tips For Your Child
Joel J. Widelitz, M.D.
Constance S. Shih, M.D.
Birth – 2 months
10861 Cherry St., Suite 305
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 598-4848
NAME: _______________________________ DATE: ___________AGE:______HT:______WT:_________
VACCINES GIVEN TODAY: _____________________________________NEXT VISIT: _______________
INSTRUCTIONS:
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Safety Tips
Feedings / Nutrition

Never leave your child unattended. Most
serious accidents can be prevented by close
observation.
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
Car Safety: Put your infant in a car safety seat
for every ride. Babies should be placed facing
backward until they are 1 year old and weigh 20
pounds, and should not ride in the front passenger
seat. The center of the back seat is the safest position.
Breast milk or one of the standard formulas
is the only food your baby needs at this age. Use
"with iron" formula if tolerated.
Infants do not need any supplemental
vitamins because breast milk and the standard
formulas all contain adequate amounts of essential
vitamins.


Falls: The most common accident for young
babies is a fall off a bed, couch, or changing table.
Always stay at your baby’s side when he is not in a
safe crib.

Place smoke detectors in the hallways near
bedrooms.
Breast-fed babies usually eat frequently;
every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies get 3-4 ounces
every 3-4 hours; 24-30 ounces a day is typical.

We expect babies to gain over their birth
weight by 2 weeks of age, and then gain weight at
about an ounce a day, or 2 pounds a month for the
first 4 months. Many babies will double their birth
weight by 4 months old.

Burns: Always check the bath water
temperature before giving your child a bath.
Have your baby sleep on his back. This is the safest
position to reduce the risk of crib death. It is also wise
not to use pillows or fluffy comforters that might
obstruct your child’s breathing.
Development:

Muscle tone develops rapidly in infants
between birth and 2 months. Their neck and back
muscles strengthen and they get very good at kicking.

Newborns spend a good part of the day
sleeping and eating. As they get older, they will have
more quiet alert times and their daytime naps will be
shorter. Some babies have their day and night cycles
reversed initially, but this will correct with time.

Episodes of crying are common, with 4-8

Babies do not need any solid foods, water,
or juice until 4-6 months. Do not use honey or
syrup for the first year of life.

Poor feeding is unusual and is often a sign
of ill health.
Health Tips:

Keep your child away from tobacco
smoke. Try to stop all tobacco use.

Good hand washing especially after
changing diapers and before meals can prevent the
spread of infections.

At this age, fever is a serious symptom.
Normal rectal temperature ranges from 98-100.4.
If your child has a fever (a temperature over
100.4), let us know right away.

Taking temperatures: Accurate
weeks of age being the age of the most crying. Crying
may be due to hunger, pain, or discomfort, but it also
occurs at times when nothing seems to be wrong. Try
to comfort your baby by holding, rocking, or offering
a pacifier.
temperatures can be obtained with a standard glass
thermometer. These are more accurate and reliable
than expensive digital thermometers.
Vision is intact in newborns, but they don’t
focus and follow with their eyes at first. Gradually
during the first two months they start to focus on your
face and interesting close up objects. You may even
get a social smile by 1-2 months old.
the armpit.

Take your baby’s temperature rectally or in

Other signs of serious illness at this
ageinclude:
Poor feeding
Repetitive vomiting
Labored breathing
Unusual lethargy or marked irritability

Most medications are not approved for use
in infants under 3 months old. If you think your
child is ill, contact us for advice.
Parenting Tips:
Most parents are concerned with their baby’s
crying. Learn to interpret the cry. Sometimes crying
means hunger, sometimes it is caused by something
that is making the baby uncomfortable such as a wet
diaper, and sometimes they are just in the mood to
cry. Besides feeding and changing, babies often calm
down with holding, rocking, a pacifier or music.

Crying tends to increase in frequency from
birth until about 6 weeks of age and then gradually
decreases as babies get older. Much of the crying
behavior in the first two months is not very specific or
easily interpreted. This will change as they get older
and cry for specific reasons.

Don’t worry about "spoiling" your baby. He needs
lots of holding and security from his parents at this

Having "gas" is also normal. All babies
have some burping and pass gas frequently. This is
a normal part of digestion. It does not have to be
treated with medicines.

Babies have different personalities at this
age. Some are calm and some are fussy. Some are
very reactive and get upset easily whenever there
is any change. As you get to know your baby you
will quickly see these inborn traits.

It’s not a bad idea to take an occasional
break from your baby. Find a trusted caregiver
with whom you can leave your baby for a few
hours and go out to dinner or a movie. You’ll be
more refreshed for the job of parenting. It is a job,
but it’s also a life changing experience; Enjoy it!
age.