•Compassion •Courtesy •Respect Parent Handout Four Month Visit How your family is doing • Ask us about programs such as WIC •Take time for yourself. that can help get food for you if you • Take time together with your are breastfeeding and formula for partner. your baby if you are formula feeding. • Encourage your partner to help care NUTRITION for the baby. Safety • Choose a mature, trained and • Use a rear-facing car seat in the back responsible babysitter or caregiver. • You can talk with us about your seat in all vehicles. childcare choices. • Always wear a seatbelt and never Y FUNCTIONING the mesh openings are no more than L • Hold, cuddle, talk to and sing to drive after using alcohol or drugs. 1/4 inch apart. AMI your baby each day. • Keep small objects and plastic bags F Playtime • Massaging your infant may help away from your baby. • Learn what things your baby likes and your baby to go to sleep more • Keep a hand on your baby on any easily. does not like. high surface from which she can fall • Get help if you and your partner are • Encourage active play. and be hurt. • Prevent burns by setting your water colorful toys to hold. heater so the temperature at the OPMENT L – Tummy time: put your baby on his Feeding your baby faucet is 120° F or lower. • Feed only breast milk or iron- tummy when awake and you can SAFETY • Do not drink hot drinks when holding watch. your baby. ANT DEVE F • Promote quiet play. months. • Never leave your baby alone in IN – Hold and talk with your baby. If breastfeeding… bathwater, even in a bath seat or ring. – Read to your baby often. • If you are still breast feeding, that’s • The kitchen is the most dangerous great! room. Crying • Plan for pumping and storing breast • Don’t let your baby crawl around the k milk. Let us know if you need help. kitchen; use a playpen or high chair If formula feeding… instead. • Make sure to prepare, heat, and • Do not use a baby walker. Healthy Teeth store the formula safely. If you need • Go to your own dentist twice yearly. WTH O help, ask us. It is important to keep your teeth R Your changing baby healthy so you don’t pass bacteria • Hold your baby so you can look at • Keep routines for feeding, naptime that causes tooth decay to your each other. and bedtime. TH •Do not prop up the bottle L baby. CY AND G Crib/playpen A • Do not share spoons or cups with • Do not give your baby a bottle in • Put your baby to sleep on her back. your baby or use your mouth to clean the crib. – In a crib that meets current safety ORAL HEA Solid food… standards, with no drop side rail • Use a cold teething ring if your baby • You may feed your baby solid food and slats no more than 2 3/8 has sore gums with teething. when he is ready. inches apart. • Some of the signs your baby is ready – If your crib has a drop side rail, OPMENT L NUTRITIONAL ADEQU for solids: keep it up and locked at all times. What to expect at your – Opens mouth for the spoon. Contact the crib company to see baby’s 6 month visit – Sits with support. if there is a device that keeps – Good head and neck control. ANT DEVE We will talk about… F the drop rail from falling down. IN • Introducing solid food – Interest in foods you eat. – Keep soft objects and loose • Getting help with your baby. • Avoid feeding your baby too much bedding such as comforters, • Home and car safety by following the baby’s signs of pillows, bumper pads and toys • Brushing your baby’s teeth. fullness, including: out of the crib. • Reading to and teaching your baby. –Leaning back – Lower your baby’s mattress. –Turning away – If using a mesh playpen, make sure Questions or concerns? Call Dr. Eberhard 801-773-4840, ext. 3248 .