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CARING FOR YOUR BABY

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Table of Contents

Introduction p. 5

Breast Feeding p. 6

Bottle Feeding p. 8

Bathing p. 9

Navel Care p. 10

Circumcision Care p. 10

Stools p. 11

Urine p.11

Diaper Changing p. 11

Clothing p. 12

Sleeping p. 12

Crying/Comfort p. 13

Immunizations p. 13

Regular Check-ups p. 14

Exercise p. 14

Fever p. 14

Vomiting and Diarrhea p. 16

Automobile Safety p. 16

Questions/Advice p. 18

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Introduction

Congratulations on your new baby. Whether it is your first or your fifth, your life has taken an exciting turn.

If this is your first baby, your life will change dramatically. There will be moments you will always want to remember and those you will find very difficult. Even if you have other children at home, you will experience a definite period of adjustment as siblings’ roles change.

Your family’s routine and lifestyle will need readjustments. In addition to being awakened at 2 a.m., you will find your car stuffed with baby equipment, even for a quick trip across town. You may also feel some emotional pressure due to lack of knowledge, friends and relatives dropping by unexpectedly and many other things.

Newborns tend to eat, sleep, and use diapers often. They need 24-hour care, but the occasional precious smile or quizzical look makes it all worthwhile. Your baby can only communicate by crying. Cries could mean: “I’m hungry,” “I’m tired,” “I do not feel well,” or “I need a diaper change.” So, babies can appear to cry a great deal. As a parent, you need to become a detective and find out why your child is crying. Does the diaper need changing? When did the baby eat last? Did you burp him or her? When did the baby sleep last? Does the baby have a fever or any other problems? Rash? Diarrhea?

Often parents think their baby’s food is not satisfying. But before changing the baby’s diet, parents should try to look for other causes of habitual cries. Just as parents must adjust, so must the baby. For nine months, all the baby knew was the mother’s womb. Now the baby must adjust to a more complex world. Try to encourage your baby to develop by reading and playing with him/her, but don’t expect the baby to learn everything immediately. Babies can tell if their parents are upset, tense or nervous, so don’t be surprised if the baby reflects your mood.

Although you may be worrying about thousands of things, this is the time to enjoy your time together. You need time to bond. You need to get to know your baby, and your baby needs to get to know you. When sleeping, you should place your baby in a room alone, but nearby, so he/she can be easily heard. This way, both you and the baby are likely to sleep better. It is important that you and your baby get in step together rather than apart.

REMEMBER: ALL BABIES, SNEEZE, BURP, HICCUP, SPIT-UP, CRY AND NEED THE LOVE OF THEIR PARENTS.

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Breast Feeding

Nature has provided mothers with the perfect formula for feeding their infants. This formula comes from the perfect combination of nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals) for the newborn baby. The milk continues to change its content as babies grow and change nutritional needs. It also provides important protection against some illnesses and allergies. It is always the perfect temperature and is basically free. What is it? Breast milk, of course.

For most mothers and babies, the closeness and warmth of breast feeding provides time for emotional connection, provides the baby with a sense of security and gives the mother a sense of fulfillment. Breast feeding can help moms lose extra pounds gained during pregnancy as extra calories are burned in the production of milk. Also, hormones released during feeding speed the recovery from labor and delivery.

DECIDING TO BREAST FEED

Making the decision to nurse (breast feed) is a personal one. Although, breast feeding takes a little time to learn, with practice, it becomes a natural activity. Most doctors recommend breast feeding because research has shown that even a few months of breast milk can give babies an advantage in development.

However, sometimes mothers prefer not to nurse, or doctors will advise against breast feeding in certain situations. For example, doctors may discourage nursing when the mother takes certain medications or has diseases that might be harmful to the baby. Also, if a mother abuses alcohol and drugs, she should not breast feed because these substances will end up in her milk. Be sure to discuss with your doctor your feelings about breast feeding and never hesitate to ask questions.

SOME IMPORTANT WORDS TO KNOW

Areola: The dark skin surrounding the nipple.

Colostrum: The first thin, yellowish milk secreted before the “milk comes in.” It is high in protein and very nutritious. It also has substances that help protect babies from infection.

Engorgement: The initial swelling of the breasts when the milk first comes in.

Lactation: The process of making milk.

Let-down Reflex: A natural reflex caused by a baby’s sucking that triggers a release of a hormone. This hormone causes the milk to flow. Sometimes even a baby’s cry can trigger this reflex.

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FIRST STEPS OF NURSING

1) Always get into a comfortable position on a chair or couch with a pillow available if necessary. Hold the baby close, cradling his/her head in the crook of your arm.

2) If the baby’s head is turned away, you can stroke the cheek closest to your breast to make his/her head turn to you.

3) Hold your breast from underneath with your free hand and bring the nipple to your baby’s mouth. If you gently stroke the nipple to your baby’s lips, the baby should open his/her mouth to find the nipple. The baby’s mouth must cover most of the areola. This position enables the baby to press down on the milk ducts to release the milk.

4) Before removing the baby’s mouth from your breast, break the suction seal by inserting a clean finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth. Pulling away before breaking suction can be rough on the nipples.

5) Your baby will determine how long each feeding should last. Since it is important to use both breasts during each feeding, you may at first want to begin with 10-15 minutes on each side.

6) Even breast fed babies can swallow a little air. For this reason, they must also be burped after each feeding or even sometimes in the middle of the feeding.

7) Always keep a glass of water around when you are breast feeding. Nursing mothers need plenty of fluids.

8) Don’t get discouraged. It may take a little time to learn how to nurse. Never hesitate to call your doctor with questions or problems.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Sore Nipples: This occurs usually in the first week of nursing, but if you make sure your baby is positioned properly and you continue nursing, the problem should quickly resolve itself. Changing the baby’s position more frequently may help. Always break the suction seal before removing the baby. The nipples may feel chapped at first. Air drying or using a blow dryer on low heat may help them heal more quickly. Some recommend lanolin.

Milk Supply Seems Too Low: The baby may desire to nurse more frequently than you think he/she should. In the beginning, let the baby set the schedule. The frequent stimulation of sucking makes the breast produce more milk. Therefore, more frequent feedings will ensure that there is enough milk, and your baby may then go longer between feedings.

Baby Falls Asleep During The Feeding: This occurrence may be a little annoying, but try to remember that nursing is supposed to be a relaxing time for you and the baby. Prodding gently or trying to burp the baby will often wake him/her up, and you can resume feeding. You should remember that new habits for babies don’t usually last forever. Before long, your baby will be alert, ready for meals and eager for your attention.

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You Need A Break: Use a breast pump, and let dad or another helper feed the baby. You may store breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer, and you can easily warm or thaw it by placing the bag or bottle of milk in a pan of warm water. Always avoid using the microwave because it can overheat the milk and burn the baby. You should nurse for a good milk supply and to ensure that the baby gets used to nursing. Since sucking from the breasts is harder for the baby than sucking from a bottle, the baby may refuse the breast. You may find that your baby will soon get used to taking a bottle from someone else, but your baby will prefer the love and warmth of breast feeding.

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS FOR SUCCESSFUL NURSING

Get plenty of rest and take naps when your baby naps. Eat healthy to keep up your strength, and drink plenty of water. If you have small children at home, let them help by getting a blanket or pillow for you. You can tell them a story or sing songs while nursing so they will not feel left out. If you are outside of your home and the baby needs to nurse, find a quiet spot and use a blanket to shield the baby from view. Don’t let nursing keep you from regular activities once you are ready to return to them. Ask your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Since breast feeding provides your baby with the best nutrition and emotional closeness, many mothers find it rewarding.

BOTTLE FEEDING

After you have decided to bottle feed your baby, you will need to select a formula. Your doctor can recommend several very good iron-fortified formulas. Many parents wonder why they can’t feed their baby regular cow’s milk. Quite simply, an infant cannot digest cow’s milk as completely as formula. Therefore, cow’s milk can stress the infant’s digestive system and cause dehydration.

PREPARING, STERILIZING AND STORING FORMULA

Infant formulas are available in ready-to-feed liquid forms, concentrates and powders. Ready-to-feed formulas are the most expensive. You prepare formula from concentrate by mixing equal amounts of concentrate and water. You prepare powder by mixing one level scoop of powder for every two ounces of water and then mixing thoroughly to make sure the bottle contains no clumps of undissolved powder. Bottles should be left in the refrigerator for no longer than one to two days.

Any uneaten formula should be discarded. Avoid reusing prepared formula that has been sitting out longer than one to two hours.

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You should also wash all bottles, nipples, and other utensils used in preparing formula in hot, soapy water and then rinse the utensils in tap water. If you have well water or nonchlorinated water, you should boil the utensils for five to 10 minutes. Although it is not necessary to warm refrigerated formula, most infants prefer it at least at room temperature. To quickly warm up the baby’s bottle run it under hot tap water or stand it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist before feeding the baby. Do not use a microwave to warm infant formula because it causes the formula to become hot quickly. The formula could then easily burn your child. The bottles you use may be plastic, glass or plastic with a soft plastic liner. Hold the bottle so that the formula fills the neck of the bottle and covers the nipple. This technique will prevent your baby from swallowing air as he/she sucks.

SCHEDULE OF FEEDING

Your newborn infant will take two to three ounces of formula every three to four hours during the first few weeks. By six months, the amount consumed will increase to six to eight ounces, four to five times a day. Since infants decide their own needs and vary their intake from day to day, be flexible with your infant’s schedule. After six months, infants need AT LEAST 24 ounces per day for appropriate growth and development.

INTRODUCING SOLIDS

In the early months, breast milk or formula provide all the calories required to make your baby grow. Young infants are incapable of digesting and absorbing complex foods until they are at least 4-months-old. These foods will pass through largely undigested. At around 4 to 6-months-old, your baby will start demanding more milk and appearing unsatisfied. Start with rice cereals around four months, and introduce individual fruits and vegetables around six months, one at a time for three to five days at a time. Foods with a smooth and creamy consistency will be the easiest for your baby to digest.

BATHING

Do not tub bathe your baby until the cord has separated and the circumcision has healed well (approximately one to three weeks). Until then, just gently wipe your baby with soap and water using a washcloth while he/she is lying on a towel or blanket. You may shampoo your baby’s hair, but this will only be necessary once or twice a week. The easiest way to do this is to hold your baby “football style” (head in your palm and body on the forearm) over the sink to rinse the hair. Infants that are not active and crawling require bathing only two to three times a week. When your baby is ready for a tub bath, a baby bath tub or tub sponge works well. Test the bath water with your elbow to make sure it is the right temperature. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY UNATTENDED IN THE TUB OR BABY BATH. Baby soaps and Ivory or Dove bar soaps are all acceptable, but please remember that soaps not considered tear-free need to be kept away from your baby’s eyes to avoid burning.

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Don’t use soap on your baby’s face unless instructed to do so by your doctor.

Most newborns will have very dry skin at first - no matter how much moisturizer you use. They will outgrow this. Any non-medicated moisturizer is generally OK to use on your baby’s skin. If you have a question about a specific brand, check with your doctor.

Baby girls may have a thick white film in their vagina for the first few weeks. You do not need to scrub this off. Always wash baby girls from front to back when cleaning their vagina. This prevents you from stroking stool germs into the vagina and bladder, causing an infection.

Never put Q-tips/cotton swabs into your baby’s ear canal. The inside of the ear is self-cleaning and the wax will eventually “grow” out. By probing the ear, the wax is only pushed in further. Do use soap and water to wash the outer ear.

NAVEL CARE

Keep the cord stump clean and dry at all times. Sometimes, just before the cord separates or just after it separates, the navel may ooze or even bleed. This is normal. Until the cord falls off, fold the diaper down so that it does not rub the navel. Folding the diaper down also reduces the amount of urine that may soak the cord. If the area becomes red or oozes pus, call your doctor.

CIRCUMCISION CARE

When discharged from the hospital, your baby may have Vaseline and gauze on the circumcision site. Your doctor should have instructed you to remove this. Some doctors remove the gauze after 12 hours, but others leave it on for as long as three days or until it falls off. Apply Vaseline to the circumcision site every time you change his diaper. This prevents the area from sticking to the diaper while it is healing. Do not tub bathe your baby until the circumcision is healed (one to three weeks). The circumcision area may ooze a little, just as any cut would. Call your doctor if there is pus or a lot of bleeding.

CARE OF THE UNCIRCUMCISED PENIS

If your child is uncircumcised, you should gently wash the outer penis. It is NOT necessary to retract the foreskin to cleanse under it. The foreskin and glans (tip) of the penis are attached at birth. These parts will gradually grow apart over the next two to 10 years. As they grow apart, cells are shed and appear as whitish, cheesy pearls that work their way out to the tip of the foreskin. The foreskin of most boys can be retracted (pushed back) by 2-years of age, but some may not have full separation until puberty. Once the foreskin has separated on its own, it can be pulled back and cleansed underneath.

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STOOLS

Stool frequency, color and consistency can vary widely. The first stools (meconium) are a sticky black to green substance. This substance filled your baby’s intestines while in your uterus.

Breast fed babies tend to have more frequent stools. Their stools tend to be yellow, mustard-like and seedy. They can be loose, watery, or mushy. Formula fed babies tend to have better formed stools compared to breast fed babies. They may have a bowel movement as frequently as each feeding or as infrequently as every other day. Color can range from yellow to green to brown. There are no hard and fast rules on how often a baby should have a bowel movement or what it should look like. You will soon know what your baby’s pattern is and whether your baby seems comfortable and satisfied.

Infants may strain when having a bowel movement. (Adults do, so why can’t babies?) However, if your baby seems overly uncomfortable from constipation, contact your doctor.

URINE

You may find a pinkish “dust” in your baby’s diaper at 1 to 5-days-old. This substance is known as “brick dust” because of its appearance, and it is a normal breakdown product of the kidneys. “Brick dust” should not last for more than a few days. If you see this, try feeding your baby a little more often for a few days until it resolves.

Early on, a baby girl may have some vaginal discharge or even vaginal bleeding because of the mother’s hormones that are still circulating in the baby. This occurrence will soon disappear.

DIAPER CHANGING

Change your baby’s diaper as soon as possible after a bowel movement. The stool can be irritating to the skin and cause a diaper rash. Change wet diapers soon also, except at nighttime. You do not need to change wet diapers with nighttime feedings unless the diapers are cloth. Changing the diaper will only stimulate your baby and interfere with getting him/her back to sleep quickly. You should remember that your baby will have to sleep all night with a wet diaper eventually. Always wipe baby girls from front to back to prevent stroking stool germs into the vagina and bladder, causing an infection.

Wash hands with soap and water after each diaper change. Do not feel that you must use baby powder. Some doctors suggest that parents not use powder because it can harm your baby if it is inhaled.

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CLOTHING

Don’t overdress your baby. Your baby does not require any more clothing than you do. Babies’ hands and feet are typically cooler than the rest of their bodies and are not a reliable indicator of whether they are cold or hot. If you think your baby is uncomfortable, check the back of his/her neck, arms or trunk with the back of your hand. Your baby’s head needs extra protection. Since babies lose the most heat from their heads, always cover their heads with a warm hat. In warm weather, a cap or bonnet is necessary to protect them from the sun. Wash your baby’s clothing in Dreft or Ivory.

SLEEPING

Your newborn should sleep in a bassinet or baby bed with a firm, flat mattress. Babies sleeping on soft adult mattresses could suffocate because they have difficulty lifting their heads. NEVER SLEEP WITH YOUR BABY. There have been instances when adults sleeping with babies have rolled over and unknowingly suffocated infants.

All doctors now recommend babies sleep on their side or back because of the association between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sleeping on the belly.

Again, there are no hard and fast rules as to how much a newborn will sleep. Average newborns sleep 16 to 20 hours a day. Some infants need less sleep; others need more. Newborns will sleep if they need the rest. The goal of most parents is to get their newborn to “sleep through the night.” Don’t rush it. The early sleep cycle for babies is very much like their eating cycle. They will wake up when they want to eat. If they are not waking up to eat, contact your doctor.

A helpful hint to get your baby to sleep at night or go back to sleep after a feeding is to stimulate him/her as little as possible. Don’t turn on lights. Don’t talk to your baby. Don’t turn on the television. Don’t change your baby’s diaper unless there is a stool in it. Just feed your baby. This routine may seem uncaring, but it won’t after several weeks or months of being up every night or after dealing with a baby who has days and nights “mixed up.” You have plenty of time to interact with your baby during the day, and your baby knows that you love and care for him/her because you respond to cries and provide nourishment.

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CRYING AND COMFORT

Newborns are much too little to be left to “cry it out.” Since infants do not know manipulative behavior in their first few months, don’t let them “cry it out” for several months. You cannot spoil a newborn. Hold them, love them and talk to them -- this is the best gift that you can give your child.

Infants can communicate only through crying. Their cries can mean “I’m hungry, tired, wet, bored, in pain, mad” or “I’m just crying.” Figuring out what message your baby is sending is a learning process and can be very frustrating. Hang in there; you’ll soon become an expert.

Some comfort measures to try when feeding, burping and changing your baby doesn’t stop the crying:

1) Rock your baby rhythmically in your arms or car seat.

2) Walk your baby in the stroller.

3) Walk the floor with your baby.

4) Swaddle your baby.

5) “Wear your baby” in a “Snugli” pack. This frees up your arms, and

sometimes the physical contact is all the baby needs.

6) Give him/her a bath.

7) Sing to your baby.

8) Play a tape of lullabies.

9) Massage your baby.

10) Let someone else try.

If you are ever to the point where you feel that you are going to become physically violent toward your child, lay the baby in the crib or another safe place and walk away. Also know that you can call our office for assistance.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Immunizations (shots) are very important and prevent serious diseases and death from illnesses, such as diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, polio, hepatitis, tetanus, meningitis, pneumonia and rubella. Immunizations work by boosting your child’s defenses against these diseases. The vaccines cause the body to form antibodies, which are the infection fighting factors in the bloodstream. Immunizations are generally safe. After receiving a vaccine, fever, soreness or swelling at the injection site are common. If your child develops an extremely high fever (101.5°F or higher), cries inconsolably for a few hours, gets a rash or has any other worrisome side effects, notify your doctor. You should receive handouts about immunizations from your doctor. The handouts will describe the immunizations in more detail.

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REGULAR CHECK-UPS

Your child’s doctor will want to see your child for frequent regular check-ups. This system allows your doctor to provide comprehensive care for your child. Most likely the doctor will want to see your child at the ages of 1 to 2 weeks, 1-month, 2-months, 4-months, 6- months, 9-months, 12-months, 15-months, 18-months and 24-months. After 24-months, the doctor will see your child yearly. However, the schedule may vary based upon the needs of your child and the doctor’s judgment.

At these well-child examinations, you should address you child’s health, growth and development, eating habits, immunizations, etc. Well-child exams give parents an opportunity to discuss with the doctor any concerns or questions they have about their child.

EXERCISE

By the age of 2-months, your child may be able to hold his/her head up while you pull up and stabilize your child into the sitting position. Even at this age, with constant supervision, a child can benefit from the freedom of being able to move around on a blanket on the floor. Allow your child to explore with supervision. In time, your child will be able to scoot along, roll from front to back and back to front. These activities exercise your child’s developing muscles and help with coordination.

FEVER

Fever is often a sign of infection. However, hot weather, over-dressing and exercise can also cause fever. If your child is acting sick, the fever is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Doctors now recognize fever as an important part of the body’s immune response to infection. Fever is not always harmful because it helps fight infection. If you think your child has a fever, take his/her temperature. Every parent should have a thermometer in the home, know how to take a temperature and read the thermometer.

TAKING THE TEMPERATURE

If an infant or any child cannot hold a thermometer under the tongue with lips closed, you need to obtain an axillary (under the arm) temperature. The best thermometers for home use are the digital type that can be used rectally or under the arm, or temporal artery scanners. Ear thermometers can be very difficult to use reliably. Leave the thermometer in place until it beeps.

If the infant is under 2-months old, we recommend taking the temperature rectally.

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You may orally take your child’s temperature once the child can hold a thermometer under the tongue with the lips closed without biting the thermometer. Hold the thermometer in place for about three to four minutes.

When should you call your doctor?

◉ The baby has any fever and is under 2-months-old.

◉ The baby has convulsions or seizures.

◉ The baby is crying inconsolably.

◉ The baby is nonresponsive or limp.

◉ The baby is having trouble breathing, drinking or urinating regularly.

◉ The baby’s neck is stiff/resists having the head pulled forward to the chest.

◉ If you have questions.

What parents can do:

◉ Give fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Children’s Motrin to

infants over 6-months-old. Call your doctor for appropriate dosing.

◉ Do not give aspirin or medications containing aspirin, and call your doctor

before giving any medicines to infants under 2-months-old.

◉ Encourage your baby to drink plenty of fluids.

◉ Follow-up with your doctor.

Diarrhea and vomiting are common problems for infants. Often, a viral illness causes these problems, and they will pass in a few days with supportive care. Protect your child from dehydration by changing the diet and remaining patient. Call your doctor for suggestions on things that are safe to give to your baby during illnesses. These things will vary with age.

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DIARRHEA AND VOMITING

What to do for diarrhea and vomiting:

1) Do not give your child food, milk or formula for 24 hours if he/she is vomiting a lot. Instead, offer infants liquids such as Pedialyte. You could give older children popsicles, ginger ale, diluted 7-Up or Gatorade. However, avoid giving your child large amounts of fluids at a single sitting. Small amounts of liquid given frequently will often resolve and improve diarrhea or vomiting, as well as prevent dehydration.

2) If your child is doing better after 24 hours, you can slowly advance his/her diet. For those children taking formula as part of their regular diet, you can resume half-strength formula. For older children, you can start giving foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast.

3) After following this diet, if your child continues to do better for 24 hours, you can resume his/her normal diet.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY

Somewhere between the security of the hospital nursery and your loving home, your baby may encounter a serious threat to his/her young life. During your baby’s first car ride home, he/she should be in a safety restraint rather than on your lap. No mother’s arms can protect a baby from the tremendous force of even a 30 mph automobile accident, which can produce a force similar to dropping a baby from a two-or three-story building. Statistics show that automobile accidents represent the biggest single threat to child safety in the United States. Automobile accidents are still the leading cause of death for children under 5-years-old in the United States.

EVEN ON THE VERY FIRST CAR RIDE - THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AND VISITS TO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE LATER ON - THE INFANT SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED IN AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY SEAT. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 16 percent of parents do not use a safety seat. Of the 84 percent who do use safety seats, 36 percent use them incorrectly. Other statistics show about 80 percent of adults use seat belts, but the usage of child safety seats is only 65 percent. Please be sure to read the owner’s manual for proper use of your child’s safety seat.

All child restraints manufactured after Jan. 1, 1981, are certified to meet appropriate federal safety standards. If your baby has a used car seat, make sure it was made after this date. New, tougher standards were implemented in January 1996 for add-on safety seats, and these took effect in September 1996 for seats built into cars and minivans. If you choose to purchase a safety seat for your child, a wide variety of seats are available. Car seats come in three basic variations: infants only (for babies up to 20 pounds), toddler seats (for children from birth to 40 pounds) and booster seats (for children more than 40 pounds or 4’9” tall).

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INFANT SEATS

Infant seats are small and portable and provide the best fit for a newborn. The baby rides backward in these seats, preferably in the center of the back seat. The child should always ride in the back seat, as this area is safer than the front seat. At times you may need a locking clip, supplemental buckle or replacement belt to accomplish this. If the baby is riding backward, the force of the crash can be spread over a wider area, resulting in less injury to the child. These infant seats are also typically lighter and can often double as an infant carrier, a feeding chair or a rocker. This seat is the best choice for a premature baby. Its main drawback is that the child will outgrow this seat quickly.

CONVERTIBLE SEATS

Convertible seats can be used from birth until the child weighs about 40 pounds, but they are often more bulky and less portable than the infant seats. If your child is small, the seat may be too large for him/her so you should purchase the best protection against head injury. Not all toddler seats are convertible seats, so they may or may not be able to ride backward. Infants up to 12-months-old need to be in a rear-facing position.

BOOSTER SEATS

Boosters must be used for children 4 to 8-years-old who are under 4’9” tall. The child MUST BE at least 4-years-old and 40 pounds.

PURCHASE AND USE TIPS

Many types of child restraints are on the market. You should find one that suits your personal needs. Every baby is different. When purchasing child restraints, you should consider ease of installation, use in the cramped quarters of a car, padding, comfort, weight, maintenance (ease of cleaning) and price.

If your child needs a special seat for any reason, call the St. Francis NICU at (317) 865-5000 for more information. Child safety seats are among the most commonly recalled consumer products, but many buyers are unaware of this. A toll-free hot line, 1-800-424-9393, has been established so you can find out the recall status of specific models. If you call, you will need to give the brand, model and date of manufacture. If you need help getting a car seat, St. Francis Hospital can help you obtain one.

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Some practical tips: If you are buying a vehicle with a built-in safety seat, check if the seat can be faced rearward. If not, it is unsuitable for infants. Some contoured or bucket seats make installation of car seats very difficult. Usually the instructions with the seat are reasonably helpful in explaining how to cope with this. All children’s seats should be in the back seat. If this isn’t possible, disable the airbag in the passenger seat.

For the typical safety seat, expect:

1) Adequate protection in a 30-mph head on crash

2) Fully assembled product, with adequate instructions

3) Locking clip for use with vehicle safety belts, if needed

4) Removable, machine-washable pads

5) Mail-in registration card, so you can be notified of a recall

6) 1-year warranty

QUESTIONS/ADVICE

What should you do when you have questions or need advice?

Sometimes being a parent is difficult, especially on those days when your child is sick. Because your family has a doctor at Madison Avenue Family Medicine, you will always have access to a health care professional to help with your questions and concerns.

Madison Avenue Family Medicine: (317) 888-9669

Appointment Hours: Monday - Friday

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For holidays, weekends and after office hours, call (317) 631-3466 with urgent concerns.

A WORD OF ADVICE

In most situations, it is a good idea to call the doctor on-call before taking your child to the emergency department. Most insurance companies do not pay for unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Clinics. Often, with some discussion and advice over the phone, the doctor can save you a trip to the emergency department and, if necessary, help arrange an appointment at the office.

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