1 Month Visit
It doesn’t take long to develop the confidence and calm of an experienced parent. Your baby will give you the most important information—how she likes to be treated, talked to, held, and comforted. This section address the most common questions and concerns that arise during the first months of life.
Development
Soon your baby will be smiling. Your baby should be responding to loud noises by startling and starting to visually focus on faces. Babies at this age like to look at high contrast patterns – such as black and white mobiles. They will be turning the head from side to side when lying on their stomachs. Tummy time (while awake only) helps develop head control and prevent flattening of the back of the head.
Feeding
Feed your baby when he/she seems hungry. Crying and “rooting” (searching with his/her mouth) are cues. No feeding schedule needs to be strictly followed. There is no such thing as the “right” amount of formula or breast milk. For breast fed babies, you will want to introduce a bottle occasionally to get the baby used to it. Supplement additional vitamin D, found in either TriViSol or D-Vi-Sol (available at the pharmacy without a prescription) for breast fed babies. The recommended dose is 1mL per day. This is necessary because breast milk does not contain sufficient vitamin D.
Safety
- When your baby is on the dressing table or bed, NEVER have your hand off him/her. Babies may fall off while you are reaching for a diaper. Keep things close by.
- When bathing, let the phone ring! A baby can drown in the time it takes you to tell the caller that you will call him back. Adjust the water heater temperature to less than 120° F.
- Never feed a baby who is lying down. He/she should always be in a semi-sitting position in your arms or an infant seat. If you are breast feeding, you may feed him/her lying down at night.
- The only safe way for a baby to be in a car is in an approved car seat, rear-facing, installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. THIS IS STATE LAW! Never leave a baby alone in a vehicle.
- Avoid exposing your infant to crowds, especially in winter months when infections are more common. Practice good hand washing.
- To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, babies should sleep on their back on a firm mattress without sheepskin. No heavy blankets, comforters, crib bumpers, or stuffed animals in the crib. Pacifier use has shown to be protective against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Do not put baby bottles in the microwave. Microwaves heat unevenly and the infant could sustain a burn.
- Quit smoking and do not allow smoking in your home or in your car.
- Never leave a baby alone with a pet.
Diaper Care
Boys: Uncircumcised penises should just be cleaned and bathed with soap and water. You should not try to retract the foreskin.
Girls: Always wipe from front to back – NEVER from back to front. After a bowel movement, spread the labia and use a wet cotton ball or diaper wipe to get stool out of the vaginal area.
Immunizations
Your baby may receive the second Hepatitis B vaccine today if the first was given in the hospital. The most common side effect is pain during administration. Please call our office with any fever over 101°F, inconsolable crying lasting longer than 3 hours, or if your child becomes pale or limp.