You and Your Baby Are Learning Together

You and your baby are spending a lot of time getting to know each other.

Most of the baby’s time is spent crying, eating, and sleeping, while most of your time is spent figuring out the best way to meet your baby’s needs.

Do you feel as if you will never sleep through the night again? Are you a little nervous about taking care of this helpless but demanding baby? Do you feel tired a lot but excited, too? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are like most new parents.

There are new things to learn when you become a parent. If you have questions or doubts, call your doctor. It is better to get the correct information from a professional than to worry whether you're doing the right thing. Taking care of a newborn is a challenging job, especially the first time around.

Use Car Safety Seats

Always have your baby’s car seat professionally installed in the back seat of your car. Call the local police station or a child care resource and referral agency to find out where to take your car to have the car seat correctly installed. Or click on find the nearest inspection station.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should always sit in the back seat of a car. Many cars have front air bags that, when inflated, can injure or even kill small children. Keep your baby in an approved infant car seat that faces the back seat until he is 1 year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. More information on approved car seats and car seat safety can be found in the article, "Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families" on the American Academy of Pediatrics web site.

You may have seen other family members hold babies on their laps either in the front seat or in the back seat, but that is not a safe practice. We are learning new things about babies all the time. The information in this newsletter might be different from what your parents or neighbors were told when their children were little.

Get Second Newborn Screening

Be sure your baby has the second newborn screening test. The first test was given in the hospital before your baby came home. The second test is done at the first well baby checkup, usually at 1 to 2 weeks of age.

If you aren’t sure whether the second newborn screening test has been given, please check right away. Then, if the test has not been given, call your clinic or doctor and make arrangements to get it done as soon as possible.

Newborn screenings are important because they can detect problems, many of which can be corrected if found early.

It is also a good idea at this time to ask about immunizations for your baby, which should start at 1 to 2 months old. To see an immunization chart, go to the official Web site for immunizations.