Two Weeks Old
TWO WEEK OLD
DATE: WEIGHT:
Your baby may not have developed a regular pattern of eating and sleeping yet. Babies cannot be “spoiled” at this age, so if holding or rocking makes baby happier, by all means do so. Your new baby can feel body contacts, hear, smell and see. He sees best about eight to ten inches away. Bright colors, like red and yellow, attract attention. It’s beneficial to gently stimulate the baby with sounds (human voice, music), touch and visual contacts.
FEEDING:
Frequency of feeding can vary quite a bit between babies. Feed him whenever he is hungry. If his weight gain is okay, there is no need to wake him for feedings; however, most babies do not sleep through the night until ten weeks and some may not do so for considerably longer.
If you are formula feeding, use an iron-fortified formula. This supplies all necessary vitamins and minerals except fluoride, which your doctor may prescribe if your water supply is not fluoridated. Fluoride drops should not be mixed with formula, but rather added to water or given directly in the mouth. There is some controversy regarding the adequacy of Vitamin D in breast milk, so if you are nursing, your pediatrician may recommend a supplemental vitamin. If you are bottle feeding, provide your baby with the warmth and security he needs by always holding her during feedings. “Propping” the bottle may also lead to ear infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Nutrition has advised exclusive breast or formula feeding untill four to six months of age. Earlier introduction of solids does not add any needed nutrients and may possibly be related to later obesity, allergies or high blood pressure. Experiments with normal babies has shown that solid foods do not help them to sleep through the night. Also do not use honey or Karo syrup to “sweeten” water or a pacifier tip, as these have been associated with infant botulism.
SAFETY:
Always use a car seat for traveling, even for short trips. Keep it facing backwards until the baby is eight or nine months old. Do not leave the baby unattended on a changing table or other high place. Do not tie a pacifier around his neck. Keep small objects that he can choke on out of his reach. If you are smoking, this may be a good time to consider stopping, as infants of smoking parents suffer more respiratory problems. Babies’ skin is extra sensitive to sunlight, so use a sunscreen if he will be in sunlight for more than ten or twenty minutes.
COMMON PROBLEMS:
1)Colic: Colic is a poorly understood problem of infants up to the age of four months manifested by excessive crying with no apparent cause. Occasionally, colic is caused by something in the baby’s diet or a nursing mother’s diet, but ask your doctor or nurse’s advice before making any major changes. If she is not helped by any of the “time-honored” remedies, such as frequent burping, a pacifier, rocking, car rides, music, carrying, or a warm bottle on the abdomen, give us a call. Many times, allowing yourself a break is best for everyone and an occassional baby sitter may be essential to a mother’s “mental health”.
2) Rashes: Diaper rashes are common even in the best cared for babies. A diaper rash may be due to excessive heat, moisture and/or a superimposed infection. We seem to see more rashes with very snugfitting disposable diapers or if plastic pants are used with a cloth diaper. Frequent changing, leaving the diaper area exposed to the sun and applying protective ointment (Desitin, A and D, etc.) may be all that is necessary for mild problems. If the rash does not get better, give us a call.
A pimply rash on the face (“baby acne”) is common and will go away by itself and will not leave scars.
A scaly yellow rash on the scalp (“cradle cap”) will clear up more quickly if a dandruff shampoo (Selsun Blue, Tegrin, etc.) is used.
3)Umbilical Cord: Sometimes, a normal umbilical cord may take as long as four weeks to fall off. Continue to apply alcohol at the base of the cord. Some slight bleeding from the cord is common and not worrisome.
4) Stools: Bowel movement patterns vary greatly. Runny and frequent (four to eight per day) or firm and infrequent (every two to seven days) may both be normal, if the baby is happy and is growing well. If stools are excessively hard or painful, give us a call.
5) Illnesses: For the first few months of life, a baby’s “resistance” is not as good as in older children, so try to keep her out of situations where she might be exposed to contagious diseases. Any infant less than two months of age with a temperature greater than 101 degrees should get immediate medical attention.
IMMUNIZATIONS: Shots will be started at the next visit at two months. Please review this section in the “Red Book” so that you will understand the shots your baby will receive.
SUGGESTED READING:
- Brazelton, T.B.: Infants and Mothers
- Caplan, F.: The First Twelve Months of Life
- Pryor, K.: Nursing Your Baby
- Jones, S.: Crying baby, Sleepless Nights