Caring For Baby
Visits to the Doctor
Visits to the doctor are important in that they allow your doctor to review the growth and development of your baby, carry out necessary tests, or administer the necessary vaccinations. Visits to the doctor also permit the parents to ask questions of their doctor. It is recommended to bring a list of your questions to each medical appointment. Medical consultations are recommended at 2 to 4 weeks; 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months; and 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years of age.
Some babies or children need more frequent consultations, others fewer. Ask your doctor or nurse about the frequency with which your doctor should examine your son or daughter.
Vaccinations
Your son or daughter needs to be vaccinated. Vaccinations protect your son or daughter from very serious illnesses. For more information click here or ask your pediatrician.
Tests and Examinations
Tests for the newborn
Certain tests must be run before your baby is 7 days old. These tests are done just prior to the time your baby leaves the hospital. If these tests are done during the first 24 hours following birth, they must be repeated at the age of one or two weeks. The analysis given to newborns include:>
PKU (Phenylketonuria) - Babies that have phenylketonuria lack the chemical necessary to direct the phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is found in foods with protein. If left untreated, phenylketonuria can produce brain damage and behavioral problems. A baby with phenylketonuria requires special medical care and special milk formula.
Thyroid Glands (Congenital Hypothyroidism) -A baby born with this problem does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone allows the baby to grow strong and healthy. Without this hormone, the baby may have poor physical and mental development. This problem is treated with daily medication to replace the hormone and special medical care.
Disease of the Falciform Cells -The red cells, or healthy erythrocytes, look like a donut. In the presence of the disease of the falciform cells, some erythrocytes appear in the shape of a banana. These cells may be trapped in the blood vessels, causing damage and pain. Babies with this disease develop infections with greater frequency.
Blood Pressure
The blood pressure of your son or daughter should be checked regularly, beginning around the age of 3. High blood pressure in children requires medical attention. It can be a sign of illness and if it is not treated, serious complications may arise.
Talk to your doctor about blood pressure measurements
Lead
Lead may harm your son or daughter, slowing down both physical and mental development and injuring many parts of the body. The most common way in which children can poison themselves with lead is by eating the paint found in an old house.
Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer "yes" to any of them, talk with your doctor so that tests may be done to detect lead in your son or daughter's blood.
Has your son or daughter:
- lived in or frequently visited a house built prior to 1950? (This includes day care centers, the home of a babysitter or the home of a family member.)
- lived in or visited a house built prior to 1978? (In this year the use of lead-based paint for residences was prohibited.)
- Does your child have brothers, sisters, or friends that have received treatment for lead poisoning?
Vision and Hearing
Your son or daughter's vision should be checked prior to starting school, around 3 to 4 years of age. More vision exams may be necessary as the child grows.
In general, it is recommended to test your son or daughter's hearing by means of auditory examination around 3 to 4 years of age.
Additional Tests
Your son or daughter may need additional tests to prevent health problems. Some common tests are:
- Anemia (Blood Test) - Your son or daughter may need a test for anemia (low blood hemoglobin) when he or she is a baby (around the 1st birthday). Older children may also require this test. Some children are more predisposed to suffer from anemia than others. Ask your doctor about anemia tests for children.
- Tuberculin Test (Skin Test) - Children may need this test if they have close contact with a person that has tuberculosis, if they live in areas where tuberculosis is more common (on American Indian Reservations, in a shelter, or in an institution), or if they live in Asia, Africa, Central or South America, the Caribbean or the Pacific Islands. Check with your pediatrician to find out if your son or daughter needs this test.
Guides for a Healthy Diet
0 to 2 years old:
- Mothers' milk is the best food for newborn babies until 6 months of age. It offers good nutrition and protects them from infection. Nursing should continue during the entire first year, if possible. If breastfeeding is not possible, formula enriched with iron (not cow's milk) should be used during the first 12 months of life. Cows' milk may be used to replace formula or breast milk after 12 months of age.
- Begin introducing solid foods at 4 to 6 months of age. The majority of experts recommend a rice cereal enriched with iron as the first food for a baby.
- Begin with new foods, one at a time. For example, wait a week before adding a new cereal, vegetable, or fruit.
- Do not give honey to babies during the first year.
- Do not limit the amount of fat given to children until after the age of 2 years.
2 years old and older:
- Offer a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation.
- Try to have your children follow a diet that is low in fats, saturated fats and cholesterol.
- Help your son or daughter to maintain an appropriate weight level, by offering them healthy food and motivating them to engage in physical exercise frequently.
Dental/Oral Health
Your son or daughter needs adequate dental care beginning at an early age. Talk with your dentist about the frequency with which your child should visit the dentist. To maintain good oral hygiene, use the following guidelines:
For babies:
If you are only breastfeeding or live in an area where the drinking water has little fluoride (less than 0.3 ppm for children younger that 2 years old, less than 0.7 ppm for children 2 years old), your child may need fluoride drops or tablets.
- Don't use a bottle or pacifier to help your baby to go to sleep. Don't put your child to bed with a bottle as this may cause problems with his/her teeth as well as ear infections.
- Clean your baby's teeth and gums using a clean, damp cloth or pad after feeding him/her.
- When teeth first appear, clean them using a small toothbrush.
For Older Children:
- Talk with your dentist about sealants. These may prevent cavities in the permanent teeth.
- Use dental floss to prevent gum disease.
Physical Activity
Your son or daughter needs exercise through play and sports.
- Motivate your son or daughter to participate in physical activity, including sports.
- Motivate him/her to participate in activities that they can enjoy when they are older, such as walking, jogging, swimming, basketball, tennis, golf, dancing, and cycling.
- Make plans to participate in sports with family and friends.
- Do not allow your son or daughter to watch more than 2 hours of television daily.