Wow! It has already been 2 months since your baby made its way into this great big world. Now is the time to get that all-important 2-month checkup done along with mom's 6 week postpartum appointment, come find out what Dr. Carole Keim MD has in store for you today on The Baby Manual: vaccine protection against diseases like rotavirus; important questions answered about resuming pre baby activities work, etc., but don't worry she still covers eating, peeing, pooping, and skincare routines.

The first vaccines: DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Polio, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B), Hep B(Hepatitis B), PCV (Pneumococcal conjugate), rota (Rotavirus). Again we cover the importance of tummy time and ways you can help your baby with their development.

Parents (00:23)

• Starting to resume pre-pregnancy activities and interests, plan return to school or work
• Getting out with the baby 
• Partner support?  Family support?
• Mom should have had 6-week postpartum checkup
• Talk with partner about family planning 
• Hold, cuddle, talk and sing to your baby
• Develop strategies for crying 

Eating (02:48)

• 6-8x per 24 hours, 24-30oz per 24h
• Can take 4-6oz at a time and be full 4-6 hours

Peeing/pooping (03:23)

• They have found their pattern: typical 1-2x per day, the rule of 7’s still applies: once per week up to 7x per day is normal
• Peeing with each feed, 6-8x per 24h

Skin (04:06) 

• Bathing 1-2x per week
• Can use lotion or cream or ointment after baths
• Diaper rash - if it lasts more than 2-3 days despite normal diaper cream (zinc-oxide-based like Desitin or petroleum-based like Vaseline or Aquaphor) it might be infected.
  • Candida (yeast/fungal) - solid pink area with tiny pinpoint-sized pink dots around it (satellite lesions). Can try mixing apple cider vinegar and water 1:1, OTC antifungal cream, or call a doctor for a prescription for Nystatin.
  • Bacterial infection: pimples or boils, often MRSA, can try applying Neosporin TID but if it doesn’t help, they need mupirocin TID.  Treat the whole family - nails and nose.

2 month checkup (08:27)

• Baby should have gained about 2lbs since last checkup (avg weight 11lb)
• First vaccines: DTaP, Polio, Hib, Hep B, PCV, rota (2-3 shots, one oral)
• Neuro/devel: diminishing grasp/tone/moro reflexes, attempts to look at parent, smiles, able to console self, begins to have different types of crying, coos, able to push up a little during tummy time, consistent head control while supported in upright position
• Anticipatory guidance - 
  • Eating: nothing but breast milk or formula until 4-6 months; wait for our next visit before feeding anything else 
  • Sleep: back to sleep, no blankets, put baby to bed awake but drowsy
  • Safety: never leave baby on high surfaces, use rear-facing car seat until age 2, avoid secondhand smoke, set water temp to 120'F to avoid scald burns, don’t prop bottle
  • Development: tummy time

Next checkup is at 4 months of age and we will do all the same vaccines except they don’t need another Hep B at that time (17:43)

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Baby Manual - Available on Amazon

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