My Child: 0 to 2 years Expert advice for every step My Child: 0 to 2 years This book has been published by the HSE (2018). All new parents will be given a copy by your public health nurse when they make their first visit to your home after your baby is born. ‘My Child: Birth to 2 years’ is filled with expert advice from health professionals in the HSE; like doctors, nurses, psychologists, parenting experts, dietitians and many more. Our team has worked to give you the best advice on caring for your baby and child. We hope that you can use this book, and our mychild.ie website, as a companion for every step of your child’s first early years. For more information on pregnancy and child health, visit mychild.ie This is the fourth edition. It was first published in 2005 and last reviewed in 2018. © Health Service Executive 2018 First published: 2005 Reviewed: 2009 Updated: 2015 and 2018 Your public health nurse: Your health centre: Contents Welcome to My Child: 0 to 2 years 4 Health checks for your child 5 Taking care of yourself as a parent 10 Your new life and your new role 10 Families come in all shapes and sizes 12 Especially for mothers after the birth 18 A new brother or sister in the family 20 Caring for twins or more 21 Baby blues and postnatal depression 22 Getting extra support 28 Feeding your baby 31 Breastfeeding 32 Formula-feeding 49 For breastfed and formula-fed babies 55 Weaning your baby to solids 59 Drinks for your baby 66 A healthy and balanced diet 68 Sleeping 73 Sleeping position 73 How much sleep your child needs 75 Bedtime routine 76 Waking during the night 79 Daytime naps 81 Crying 82 Dealing with crying 83 Colic 84 Caring for your child 87 Equipment 87 Bathing your baby 88 Nappies 92 Dressing your child 97 Caring for teeth 98 Toilet training 101 Vaccines 102 ISBN: 978-1-78602-111-3 The information in this book, including the resources and links, does not replace medical advice from healthcare professionals such as your public health nurse or GP. Everyone is different. Always consult a healthcare professional to give you the medical advice and care you need. All efforts have been made to make sure that this book reflects the most up-to-date medical advice at the time of publication. Developments in healthcare are happening all the time, including new information on a range of issues. We will make every effort to incorporate new information into the text for the next reprint of this book. Photos unless otherwise stated are stock images and have been posed by models. 2 You can find more tips and advice about pregnancy, babies and young children atmychild.ie When your child is sick 105 When to get urgent medical help 105 Checking your child’s temperature 106 Giving medicine to young children 107 Common illnesses 108 Skin conditions 121 Meningitis and septicaemia 122 Your child’s growth and development 125 Your child’s milestones 127 Tummy time 129 How your child communicates with you 131 Possible signs your child is not developing as expected 138 Caring for your child with special needs 140 Your child’s eyesight 143 Your child’s hearing 145 Speech and language 146 Your baby’s teeth 148 Your baby’s social and emotional world 151 Guiding your child’s behaviour 155 Separation anxiety 161 Development of your child’s sexuality 163 Screen time 165 Playing and learning 167 How your child learns and develops through play 170 A guide to playing with your child 173 Playing with toys 179 Keeping your child safe 183 Childproofing your home 185 Preventing common childhood injuries 187 Reducing the risk of cot death 202 Car seats 205 Outdoors 206 Child safety on the farm 208 Going back to work 211 Your benefits and leave entitlements 215 Finally 220 Index 222 3 Welcome to My Child: 0 to 2 years Expert advice for every step This book provides expert advice from the HSE on baby and toddler health. It is part of a series of books and a website full of information to help you to care for yourself in pregnancy and all through your child’s first 5 years. We asked parents what information would help them most during their child’s early years. Parents told us that they wanted: • common sense information and tips on the general care of their child • information about their child’s development • advice about what to do if their child has a problem • details of the people and services to get in touch with for more help and support They also told us they wanted this information to be available online and in a printed version to keep at home. My Child is based on the most up-to-date information available within the health service, and on the experience and knowledge of child health and support services, voluntary organisations and parent groups. Each child is special and unique. Whether you are a new parent or you have done this before, we want to help you every step of the way. As your baby grows and becomes a toddler, their personality will be starting to develop. You can support them to grow to be a healthy, strong, resilient and confident child. All of the information in these books, and more, is online at mychild.ie. We are so grateful to everyone who helped to create these books, especially the parents. This book is the second in a set of three books for parents: • My Pregnancy • My Child: 0 to 2 years • My Child: 2 to 5 years BACK COVER FRONT COVER My Child: 0 to 2 years My Child: 2 to 5 years My Pregnancy My Pregnancy Expert advice for every step Expert advice for every step Expert advice for every step Expert advice for every step My Child: My Child: 0 to 2 years 2 to 5 years Expert advice for every step Expert advice for every step eat ervice Exective Versio 4 You can find more tips and advice about pregnancy, babies and young children atmychild.ie Health checks for your child Health checks for your child From birth until the age of 2, you and your baby will usually have 11 planned appointments for healthcare checks and support. Health checks are usually with your GP or your public health nurse. These visits are a great opportunity for you to talk about how you are getting on and ask any questions you have about yourself or your child. Your child will also get vaccines to protect them from different infections. These vaccines and health checks are provided free of charge through the HSE. Did you know? Every child under the age of 6 can get a GP visit card. This means you can take your child to visit your GP for free. The GP visit card also covers them for free assessments at age 2 and 5. It also covers care for children with asthma. You will get reminders about your child’s next check. If you have changed your address, please tell your local health centre. 5 Health checks for your child When What happens at the health check After birth, Newborn check and screening usually in A midwife will do an immediate check of your baby at birth. This hospital will be done close to you. Newborn clinical examination Within the first 72 hours after birth, a doctor or midwife with specialist training will also examine your baby. Hearing test (newborn hearing screening) Your baby will also have their hearing checked. During the first Heel prick (newborn bloodspot screening) week In the first week after your baby is born, you will be offered newborn bloodspot screening. This is also called a heel prick. This may be done by the midwife in the hospital, or by your public health nurse at home. They will gently prick your baby’s heel to collect some drops of blood onto a special card. Your baby will be screened to see if they are at risk of a number of rare conditions. Within 72 Meet your public health nurse hours of Your public health nurse (PHN) will visit you at home to meet and discharge support you and your family. They will usually weigh and examine from hospital your baby. or following a home birth The PHN will give advice on feeding, parenting and any questions you may have. They will talk to you about how to keep your baby safe when sleeping. They will also give you general tips about child safety. Check with your public health nurse about any baby clinics at the local HSE health centre. You may be able to call in and have your baby weighed at these clinics. At 2 weeks 2 week baby check Make an appointment with your GP for a 2 week baby check. During this check your GP or the GP practice nurse will examine your baby. This is another opportunity to talk about your baby’s wellbeing. 6 You can find more tips and advice about pregnancy, babies and young children atmychild.ie Health checks for your child When What happens at the health check At 6 weeks – 6 week check for you for you Make an appointment with your GP for the 6 week check. This check is for both you and for your baby. Blood pressure Your GP may check your blood pressure, particularly if you had problems with this during your pregnancy.