Two Month Visit

DEVELOPMENT

Your baby is now getting to be very sociable creature.  They smile, coo, and love to be talked to.  They are usually crying less.  They are ready to have their horizons broadened with variety and scenery-different rooms and different positions.  Propping them in a sitting position helps enlarge their view of the world.  Getting them outdoors is also fun.  They may begin to follow objects with their eyes, and loves toys such as mobiles.  Other bright, large objects will fascinate them, and they will be batting at them soon.  Children at this age are fascinated with looking at faces.  Your child may enjoy seeing their face in the mirror.  This is a happy age.  Your baby will be very responsive.  They enjoy anyone’s attention.  Take advantage of their sociability and enjoy them.  Talk to your baby, read to your baby, sing and play music for them.  Be sure to put your baby on their tummy several times a day when they are awake.  They will learn to roll over faster and are less likely to have a flattened head.

FEEDING

Breast milk or formula will meet all nutritional needs until four or six months.  It may be a good idea to purchase a bottle of Pedialyte to have on hand in the event of a vomiting or diarrhea illness.  This is an oral electrolyte solution given to prevent or treat dehydration.  Call if those symptoms develop and we will give advice.

The AAP recommends vitamin D supplementation for all infants, children, and adolescents.    After reviewing the literature, it certainly looks like many children may benefit from vitamin D, although not everyone necessarily needs it.   Some children are more at risk for vitamin D deficiency than others.  Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include dark skin (African-americans, Indians, Hispanics), time spent indoors and not out in the sunlight (particularly in the winter months), low amount of milk consumption (less than 16 oz a day), and exclusively breastfed infants.   The recommended dose is 400 IU (international units) once daily.  This can be bought over the counter in either a single drop form, or with a larger dropper.  Read the label carefully when dosing this to your child.  Too much vitamin D can be harmful.

SLEEPING

Some babies are now sleeping through the night.  Adding cereal does not help babies sleep through the night.  Daytime naps vary in number and length.  Try to establish good sleeping patterns by placing your baby down drowsy but awake so that she will learn to put herself back to sleep when they awaken.

ACCIDENTS

Remember your baby is not safe on couches or tables.  No strap can be trusted with this “escape artist”.  They become more mobile and scooting and rolling are just around the corner.  Care should be taken about where an infant seat is placed as it can be tipped over, resulting in a fall.  Keep a hand on the baby at all times.  Don’t drink hot liquids while holding your baby.  Never leave your child alone with a pet, sibling, or in a tub of water.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Your baby is scheduled to be immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus (DTap), polio (IPV), Hemophilus influenzae combined together as Pentacel.  Hepatitis B,  Prevnar, (a vaccine with a similar design to that for Hemophilus influenzae (HIB) and protects against pneumococcal disease), and Rotateq a vaccine to protect against a common vomiting and diarrhea illness are also all given at this age.  No serious reactions are associated with these vaccines.  Sometimes a low grade fever may occur.  Acetaminophen will help the fever or discomfort.  The dose can be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary.  Babies may be fussy and there can be soreness, redness and swelling were the shots were given.  Ice (covered by a cloth or towel) placed on the injection site may help relieve these problems.