Anticipatory Guidance For 4 Month Old Baby (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Sleep: By 4-5 months, your baby should be sleeping through most of the night. It is

important that you put your baby in the crib drowsy but awake. For best results I

recommend not feeding and rocking your baby to sleep in your arms before placing the

baby in the crib. If he/she learns to fall asleep on his/her own you have a better chance of

him/her falling back to sleep on his/her own should they awaken in the middle of the

night. If your baby should wake up later in the night, try not to feed, but rather comfort

and pat him/her on the back to get him/her back to sleep. Keep the lights off or dim.

Illness and Injury prevention:

SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is still a concern. Continue to avoid exposure to

cigarette smoke, being in too warm of an environment, sleeping on your stomach

It is also important to continue to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke to avoid respiratory

problems, colds and ear infections. Please do not smoke!

Fever/illness: A rectal temp equal to or greater than 100.5 is considered a fever. A low

fever isn’t as critical as when your baby was younger. However if it should last longer

than a day or if it is above 102.5 he/she should be evaluated. Other signs of illness may

be not feeding well or acting right.

Continue to use an infant car seat that is properly secured at all times.

Now is a good time to start childproofing your home. Cover the electrical outlets, secure

cupboard doors and drawers with childproof latches, install smoke alarms, and if you

have a pool, install a pool fence.

Ask about the use of probiotics and supplements to enhance your child’s immune system.

Parental health

Back to work? Take inventory on how you are feeling about yourself and your child care

arrangements.

Take some time for yourself and spend some individual time with your partner.

Keep in contact with friends and family members. Avoid social isolation.

If there are other children in the family, appropriately engage them in the care of the

baby.

Immunizations: Pediarix (Dapt/IPV/HepB)

HIB

Prenvar

Rotarix/Rotateq

Review your immunization packet. Following the immunization there may be some

swelling and discomfort at the injection site. Place a cool compress on the injection site

and you may give infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) .8cc .Give once and then every 4-6

hours thereafter, as needed.

Anticipatory Guidance For 4 Month Old Baby Page 2