Infant Life Stages

Milestones

Every baby grows at a different rate, but there are some general milestones to watch for over the first three months. By the end of three months, your baby will probably:

• Recognize familiar objects, people and sounds, and watch faces and moving objects.
• Smile at the sound of your voice, and turn head toward sounds; babble and imitate some sounds.
• Raise his/her head and chest when lying on his/her stomach, and use arms to support the upper body.
• Kick legs when lying on stomach or back; push down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface.
• Bring his/her hand to mouth, swipe at dangling objects, and grasp/shake hand toys.
• Enjoy playing, and even cry when playing stops; imitate some movements and facial expressions.

Pediatric Checkups

You will likely take your baby for a well-baby checkup at one month and two months. Here is what you might expect your baby's healthcare provider to do:

Well-Baby Visit — 1 month

• Weigh and measure your baby.
• Check the healing of umbilical cord stump and circumcision (for boys).
• Give your baby a hepatitis shot (if he/she hasn't had one yet).
• Talk to you about growth and developmental milestones, and what to watch for.
• Address any health concerns, like cradle cap, diaper rash or excessive crying.
• Ask you about your baby's sleeping, eating, and diapering habits.
• Discuss your parenting questions and concerns, and any emotional issues you may be having.
• Talk about child care and long-term well-baby strategies.

Well Baby Visit — 2 Months

• Give your baby his/her first immunizations.
• Check your baby's weight.
• Ask you about your baby's hearing, eyesight, and other new skill developments.
• Talk to you about growth and developmental milestones, and what to watch for.
• Address any health concerns, such as how to deal with cradle cap or diaper rash.
• Talk about how to handle minor illnesses at home, like a fever that could result from vaccines.
• Discuss any issues or concerns you have about going back to work, breastfeeding, taking baby visiting, or depression.

Vaccinations

It's important to continue to protect your child's health by making sure he or she gets timely immunizations. Immunizations enable the body to produce antibodies that, in turn, prevent your child from getting — and spreading — specific diseases.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, vaccines are among the safest tools of modern medicine and the Agency urges people of all ages to receive those immunizations that are recommended for their age and health status. Vaccines have saved the lives of more babies and children than any other medical intervention in the past 50 years.

One of the most important things for parents to do is to make sure their children are immunized against 13 serious vaccine-preventable diseases, as their age requires:

• Diphtheriacan cause serious breathing problems for your child. Diphtheria can damage your child's heart and nervous system and cause paralysis.
• Tetanus is a disease that most people think of if they step on a rusty nail. Tetanus is also found in dirt, manure and human stool. If tetanus gets into your baby's open cut, it can cause muscle spasms, convulsions and death.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) can turn into severe coughing ("whooping" sound), choking and vomiting. It can last for weeks or months, and may even cause death. It is most dangerous when your baby is under six months old.
• Polio attacks your child's nervous system and can paralyze muscles or even cause death.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause meningitis — an infection of the lining around your child's spinal cord and brain. It can also cause pneumonia, swelling in the back of the throat, deafness and death.
• Measles can cause a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes that could last from 1–2 weeks. Measles can also cause pneumonia, convulsions, deafness, brain damage and death.
• Mumps can cause a fever, headache, and swollen, painful cheeks and neck. It could make your child deaf and cause meningitis. In rare cases, mumps can affect future ability to have children.
• Rubella (German measles) causes a fever and a rash, which usually lasts for less than a week. It is very serious for unbornbabies. If a pregnant woman who has no protection against rubella comes in contact with this disease early in her pregnancy, she could have a miscarriage. After exposure to rubella, the baby could be born deaf, blind, or with heart or brain damage.Before you become pregnant, ask your doctor if you need a rubella shot.
• Varicella (Chickenpox)causes a low fever and an itchy rash of blisters that form scabs. In some children, chickenpox causes severe skin infections (like flesh-eating disease), scars, pneumonia, brain damage or death.
• Hepatitis B affects the liver and can sometimes cause liver cancer or other serious liver problems for your child.
• Pneumococcal disease can cause pneumococcal meningitis, pneumonia, ear and blood infections. It could make your child deaf or cause brain damage.
• Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis — an infection of the lining around your child's spinal cord and brain — or a blood infection. Children can die from meningitis.
• Influenza (the flu)is a common respiratory infection that begins in your child's nose and throat. Influenza can be serious — especially for infants and young children. If your child has influenza complications, she may have difficulty breathing or might develop pneumonia.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides the Public Health Agency of Canada with ongoing medical, scientific, and public health advice regarding vaccines approved for use in humans in Canada and recommendations for immunization.

However,publicly-funded immunization schedules vary from province or territory. You are encouraged to talk to your child’s paediatrician, family physician, public health nurse or local health unit about recommended immunizations in your province or territory.

For access to the most current childhood immunization schedules by province and territory for children under 6 years of age, visit the “Your immunization schedule�? page of the Public Health Agency of Canada website at:

www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Well-Being and Safety

It's important to keep your baby's safety in mind at all times, both at home and when visiting.

• Handwashing: Anyone who touches your baby must wash their hands thoroughly first.
• Germ Protection on Surfaces: You should disinfect those areas where there can be a large number of dangerous germs, such as diaper changing mats. Always rinse surfaces that your baby will come in contact with.
• Car Seat: Use a rear-facing infant seat, and place it in the back seat. Be sure the seat is correctly installed..
• Crib: Slats should be no more than 2 3/8" apart (about the width of a soda can). ALWAYS put the baby to sleep on his/her back to avoid the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
• Diaper Changing Tables: A changing table should have at least a 2" railing on all sides.
• High Chair: Always use the safety straps on your baby's high chair and other seats.
• Toys: Read labels to make sure the toy is appropriate for your child's age. Avoid buying toys that may have small parts or pose a choking hazard.
• Never leave the baby unattended, even for a moment. Even a newborn is able to roll. Be especially alert when diapering and bathing your baby.
• Never shake your newborn baby. Newborn babies have very weak neck muscles that cannot support their heads. Shaking can damage his/her brain and delay normal development.
• If you suspect that your baby has ingested or been exposed to a poisonous substance, or if your baby is unconscious or not breathing, call 911..