Bright Futures Parent Handout 2 Month Visit Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family. How You Are Feeling • Notice what helps to calm your baby such • Feed your baby when you see signs of • Taking care of yourself gives you the energy as a pacifier, fingers or thumb, or stroking, hunger. to care for your baby. Remember to go for BEHAVIOR talking, rocking, or going for walks. • Putting hand to mouth your postpartum checkup. Safety • Sucking, rooting, and fussing • Find ways to spend time alone with your • Use a rear-facing safety seat in the back • End feeding when you see signs your baby partner. seat in all vehicles. is full. • Keep in touch with family and friends. • Never put your baby in the front seat of a • Turning away • Give small but safe ways for your other vehicle with a passenger air bag. • Closing the mouth

PARENTALWELL-BEING children to help with the baby, such as • Always wear your and never drive • Relaxed arms and hands bringing things you need or holding the after using alcohol or drugs. • Burp your baby during natural feeding baby’s hand. • Keep your car and home smoke-free. breaks. • Spend special time with each child reading, • Keep plastic bags, balloons, and other small If talking, or doing things together. SAFETY objects, especially small toys from other • Feed your baby 8 or more times each day. NUTRITIONALADEQUACY Your Growing Baby children, away from your baby. • Plan for pumping and storing . Let • Have simple routines each day for bathing, • Your baby can roll over, so keep a hand on us know if you need help. feeding, sleeping, and playing. your baby when dressing or changing him. If Formula Feeding • Put your baby to sleep on her back. • Set the water heater so the temperature at • Feed your baby 6–8 times each day. • In a crib, in your room, not in your bed. the faucet is at or below 120°F. • Make sure to prepare, heat, and store the • In a crib that meets current safety • Never leave your baby alone in bathwater, formula safely. If you need help, ask us. standards, with no drop-side rail and even in a bath seat or ring. • Hold your baby so you can look at each other. slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Your Baby and Family • Do not prop the bottle. Find more information on the Consumer • Start planning for when you may go back to Product Safety Commission Web site at What to Expect at Your work or school. www.cpsc.gov. • Find clean, safe, and loving child care for Baby’s 4 Month Visit • If your crib has a drop-side rail, keep it up your baby. and locked at all times. Contact the crib We will talk about company to see if there is a device to keep • Ask us for help to find things your family • Your baby and family the drop-side rail from falling down. needs, including child care. • Feeding your baby BEHAVIOR

• Keep soft objects and loose bedding such INFANT-FAMILY SYNCHRONY • Know that it is normal to feel sad leaving your • Sleep and crib safety as comforters, pillows, bumper pads, and baby or upset about your baby going to child • Calming your baby care. toys out of the crib. • Playtime with your baby • Give your baby a pacifier if she wants it. Feeding Your Baby • Caring for your baby and yourself • Hold, talk, cuddle, read, sing, and play • Feed only breast milk or iron-fortified formula • Keeping your home safe for your baby often with your baby. This helps build trust in the first 4–6 months. • Healthy teeth between you and your baby. • Avoid feeding your baby solid foods, juice, • Tummy time—put your baby on her tummy and water until about 6 months. Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222 when awake and you are there to watch. NUTRITIONALADEQUACY • Feed your baby when your baby is hungry. • Learn what things your baby does and does Child safety seat inspection: not like. 1-866-SEATCHECK; seatcheck.org

The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. Original document included as part of Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit. Copyright © 2010 American Academy of , Updated 10/11. All Rights Reserved. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not review or endorse any modifications made to this document and in no event shall the AAP be liable for any such changes.

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