Bright Futures Parent Handout: 2 Month Visit
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Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family
PARENTAL WELL-BEING
How You are Feeling
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Taking care of yourself gives you the energy to care for your baby. Remember to go for your postpartum checkup.
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Find ways to spend time alone with your partner.
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Keep in touch with family and friends.
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Give small but safe ways for your other children to help with the baby, such as bringing things you need or holding the baby's hand.
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Spend special time with each child reading, talking, or doing things together.
Infant Behavior
Your Growing Baby
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Have simple routines each day for bathing, feeding, sleeping, and playing.
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Put your baby to sleep on her back.
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In a crib, in your room, not in your bed.
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In a crib that meets current safety standards, with no drop-side rail and slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
Find more information on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
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If your crib has a drop-side rail, keep it up and locked at all times. Contact the crib company to see if there is a device to keep the drop-side rail from falling down.
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Keep soft objects and loose bedding such as comforters, pillows, bumper pads, and toys out of the crib.
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Give your baby a pacifier if she wants it.
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Hold, talk, cuddle, read, sing, and play often with your baby. This helps build trust between you and your baby.
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Tummy time—put your baby on her tummy when awake and you are there to watch.
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Learn what things your baby does and does not like.
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Notice what helps to calm your baby such as a pacifier, fingers or thumb, or stroking, talking, rocking, or going for walks.
Safety
Safety
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Use a rear-facing car safety seat in the back seat in all vehicles.
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Never put your baby in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag.
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Always wear your seat belt and never drive after using alcohol or drugs.
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Keep your car and home smoke-free.
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Keep plastic bags, balloons, and other small objects, especially small toys from other children, away from your baby.
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Your baby can roll over, so keep a hand on your baby when dressing or changing him.
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Set the water heater so the temperature at the faucet is at or below 120°F.
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Never leave your baby alone in bathwater, even in a bath seat or ring.
Infant-Family Synchrony
Your Baby and Family
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Start planning for when you may go back to work or school.
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Find clean, safe, and loving child care for your baby.
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Ask us for help to find things your family needs, including child care.
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Know that it is normal to feel sad leaving your baby or upset about your baby going to child care.
Nutritional Adequacy
Feeding Your Baby
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Feed only breast milk or iron-fortified formula in the first 4–6 months.
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Avoid feeding your baby solid foods, juice, and water until about 6 months.
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Feed your baby when your baby is hungry.
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Feed your baby when you see signs of hunger.
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End feeding when you see signs your baby is full.
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Turning away
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Closing the mouth
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Relaxed arms and hands
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Burp your baby during natural feeding breaks.
If Breastfeeding
If Formula Feeding
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Feed your baby 6–8 times each day.
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Make sure to prepare, heat, and store the formula safely. If you need help, ask us.
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Hold your baby so you can look at each other.
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Do not prop the bottle.
What to Expect at Your Baby's 4 Month Visit
© 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics