Mom Life: Caring for Your Baby

This guide contains: A checklist of essential items

for your baby Newborn baby bath time How to swaddle your baby Newborn immunization

And because we know you’re a super-mom, we also have:

3 delicious and unique homemade baby food recipes

Tips on how to soothe your teething baby

Stool & food intake tracking

After 9 long months (give or take a few weeks), your family has a new member! Your baby is now the most important person in your life, and relies on you for everything. That’s why Baptist Health wants to make sure that you have the resources you need so you can enjoy all of the aspects of being a mom.

Checklist of items that will make your life easier on-the-go

• Portable changing pad

• Baby wipes (and back-up baby wipes)

• Diaper rash ointment

• Diapers, diapers, and more diapers - we recommend at least 1 diaper

for every hour you plan to be gone

• Portable hand sanitizer

• Three changes of clothes at all times for baby

• A change of clothes for you

• Nipple cream (if breastfeeding)

• Nursing bras

• Bibs and burp cloths

• 2 swaddle blankets

• Ziplock bags (gallon size), as accidents happen and

it’s nice to have a bag to put dirty clothes in

• Bottles if you are bottle feeding

• Safe portable on-the-go toys for your baby

• Snacks for you and baby

(depending on your baby’s age)

We don’t expect you to just sit around now that you have a baby. Here is what you need in your diaper bag to have successful outings:

NUTRITION

Recipes for a Healthy Baby

White Peach and Banana Puree

Appropriate for ages 6-8 mos.

• 1 white peach, peeled and chopped

• 1 banana, peeled and chopped

• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice

Place all ingredients in a food processor or baby food maker and puree until smooth.

Ingredients

Makes 1 cup

Directions

When you’re starting to introduce your baby to different kinds of food, it can be a

good idea to make your own baby food. This way, you can control the ingredients

that your baby is ingesting. Here are 3 recipes for homemade baby food:

NUTRITION

Recipes for a Healthy Baby

Fresh Pea Hummus

Appropriate for ages 6-8 mos.

• 1 cup of fresh or thawed frozen peas

• 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic

• Squeeze of a lemon

• 1/2 teaspoon of tahini

• Salt and cumin, to taste

Place all ingredients in a food processor or baby food maker and puree until smooth.

Ingredients

Makes 1 cup

Directions

NUTRITION

Recipes for a Healthy Baby

Cannellini Mash

Appropriate for ages 6-8 mos.

1. Add all the ingredients to a food processor and puree until there are no chunks.

2. Cool before serving.

Ingredients

Makes approximately 1 cup

Directions

• 1 cup of chopped spinach, cooked

• 1/8 teaspoon of fresh thyme

• 1/2 cup of brown rice, cooked

• 1 cup white beans, cooked

• 1/4 cup tomato, fresh or canned, chopped

Bath time safety is often overlooked, but is as important as sleep safety.

Bath time can be stressful for parents, especially for newborns. With a few

of the following tips, bath time can be happy, increase the bond between

you and your baby and induce sleep.

For newborns, bathing 2-3 times per week is usually sufficient, as long as

the diaper area is cleaned well and as long as the hands, feet and face are

washed a few times per day.

For the sponge bathAt the beginning, while your baby’s umbilical cord stump is still attached

(the stump usually falls off between 10 days and 2 weeks), we recommend a

gentle sponge bath to avoid the stump getting wet.

Lay your baby on a soft surface like a towel. Wrap your baby up, exposing

one limb at a time. Gently wash the limb with a warm washcloth. Pat the

limb dry, and tuck into the towel. Start on the next limb.

Newborn Baby Bath Time

Newborn Baby Bath TimeFor the big bathAfter the umbilical cord stump falls off, it’s time to get ready for the “big

bath”, in the baby bathtub.

It’s important to note that there’s no need to bathe your baby everyday as

long as their genital regions, hands and face are wiped and cleaned daily.

You’ll need about 2 inches of warm water that’s about 100 degrees

fahrenheit to give your baby a bath. Test the temperature with your elbow

or hand. Use one hand to support your baby’s head, and the other to guide

your baby into the tub; feet first. When you’re ready to start washing, wrap

your arm under your baby’s back and grasp their armpit. To ensure that

your baby stays warm, pour warm water over them throughout the bath.

Here’s what you’ll want to pay special attention to:

• The genital area

• Hands and feet (in between toes and fingers, too!)

• Armpits, backs of knees and thighs and behind the neck

• Face (you can use a cotton swab if you see any

accumulated debris around the eyes)

• Behind the ears

• Hair (wash with gentle baby shampoo)

How to Swaddle Your BabySwaddling is a technique used by parents all over the world to wrap babies in soft cloth or blankets to limit movement and help them sleep. Swaddling is also important in the prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). To swaddle your baby, you can use Halo Sleep Sacks or regular blankets. Learn more about the technique, below.

Swaddling with Halo Sleep Sacks

1. Dress your baby in regular sleepwear and zip up the sack with your baby in it.

2. Fold the left wing over your baby’s right arm and tuck under baby’s left arm.

3. Fold the right wing over your baby’s left arm and secure under your baby’s right side.

Newborn Immunization

Baptist Health pediatricians follow government-mandated vaccination schedules for children. Below, you’ll find common vaccinations and the diseases that they guard against, and an immunization schedule from birth to 15 months.

Disease Vaccine Disease spread by Disease symptoms Disease Complications

Chickenpox Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox. Air, direct contact Rash, tiredness, headache, fever Infected blisters, bleeding disorders, encephalitis (brain

swelling), pneumonia (infection in the lungs)

Diphtheria DTaP* vaccine protects against diphtheria Air, direct contact Sore throat, mild fever, weakness, swollen glands in neck

Swelling of the heart muscle, heart failure, coma,paralysis, death

Hib Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilusinfluenzae type b. Air, direct contact May be no symptoms unless bacteria enter

the blood

Meningitis (infection of the covering around the brain and spinal cord), intellectual disability, epiglottitis (life-threatening infection that can block the windpipe and lead to serious breathing problems), pneumonia (infection in the lungs), death

Hepatitis A HepA vaccine protects against hepatitis A. Direct contact, contaminated food or water

May be no symptoms, fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), dark urine

Liver failure, arthralgia (joint pain), kidney, pancreatic, and blood disorders

Hepatitis B HepB vaccine protects against hepatitis B. Contact with blood orbody fluids

May be no symptoms, fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), joint pain

Chronic liver infection, liver failure, liver cancer

Influenza (Flu) Flu vaccine protects against influenza. Air, direct contact Fever, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue Pneumonia (infection in the lungs)

Measles MMR** vaccine protects against measles. Air, direct contact Rash, fever, cough, runny nose, pinkeye Encephalitis (brain swelling), pneumonia (infection in the lungs), death

Mumps MMR**vaccine protects against mumps. A Air, direct contact Swollen salivary glands (under the jaw), fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain

Meningitis (infection of the covering around the brain and spinal cord) , encephalitis (brain swelling), inflammation of testicles or ovaries, deafness

Pertussis DTaP* vaccine protects against pertussis(whooping cough). Air, direct contact Severe cough, runny nose, apnea (a pause in

breathing in infants) Pneumonia (infection in the lungs), death

Polio IPV vaccine protects against polio. Air, direct contact, throughthe mouth

May be no symptoms, sore throat, fever, nausea, headache Paralysis, death

Pneumococcal PCV13 vaccine protects against pneumococcus Air, direct contact May be no symptoms, pneumonia (infection

in the lungs)Bacteremia (blood infection), meningitis (infection of the covering around the brain and spinal cord), death

Rotavirus RV vaccine protects against rotavirus. Through the mouth Diarrhea, fever, vomiting Severe diarrhea, dehydration

Rubella MMR** vaccine protects against rubella. Air, direct contact Children infected with rubella virus sometimes have a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes

Very serious in pregnant women—can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, birth defects

Tetanus DTaP* vaccine protects against tetanus. Exposure through cuts in skin

Stiffness in neck and abdominal muscles, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, fever B

Broken bones, breathing difficulty, death

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and the Vaccines that Prevent Them

* DTaP combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.** MMR combines protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Vaccine Birth 1 mo 2 mos 4 mos 6 mos 9 mos 12 mos 15 mos

Hepatitis B1(HepB) 1st dose ←2nd dose→ ←3rd dose→

Rotavirus2(RV) RV1 (2-dose series); RV5 (3-dose series) 1st dose 2nd dose *

Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis3(DTaP: <7 yrs) 1st dose 2nd dose 3rd dose ←4th dose→

Haemophilus influenzae type b4(Hib) 1st dose 2nd dose ** ←3rd or 4th dose,

**→

Pneumococcal conjugate5(PCV13) 1st dose 2nd dose 3rd dose ←4th dose→

Inactivated poliovirus6(IPV:<18 yrs) 1st dose 2nd dose ←3rd dose→

Influenza7(IIV) Annual vaccination (IIV) 1 or 2 doses

Measles, mumps, rubella8(MMR) See footnote *** ←1st dose→

Varicella9(VAR) ←1st dose→

Hepatitis A10(HepA) ←2 dose series, ****→

Meningococcal11MenACWY-D ≥9 mos; MenACWY-CRM ≥2 mos)

*****

Range of recommended ages for all children

Range of recommended ages for catch-up immunization

Range of recommended ages for certain high-risk groups

* Rotavirus vaccines. (minimum age: 6 weeks)Routine vaccination:Rotarix: 2-dose series at 2 and 4 months.RotaTeq: 3-dose series at 2, 4, and 6 months.If any dose in the series is either RotaTeq or unknown, default to 3-dose series.Catch-up vaccination:Do not start the series on or after age 15 weeks, 0 days.The maximum age for the final dose is 8 months, 0 days.For other catch–up guidance, see catch–up schedule.

**Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines. (minimum age: 6 weeks)Routine vaccination:ActHIB, Hiberix, or Pentacel: 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months.PedvaxHIB: 3-dose series at 2, 4, and 12–15 months.Catch–up vaccination:1st dose at 7–11 months: Give 2nd dose at least 4 weeks later and 3rd (final) dose at 12–15 months or 8 weeks after 2nd dose (whichever is later).1st dose at 12–14 months: Give 2nd (final) dose at least 8 weeks after 1st dose.1st dose before 12 months and 2nd dose before 15 months: Give 3rd (final) dose 8 weeks after 2nd dose.2 doses of PedvaxHIB before 12 months: Give 3rd (final) dose at 12–59 months and at least 8 weeks after 2nd dose.Unvaccinated at 15–59 months: 1 dose.For other catch–up guidance, see catch–up schedule.Special situations:Chemotherapy or radiation treatment12-59 months

Unvaccinated or only 1 dose before 12 months: Give 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.2 or more doses before 12 months: Give 1 dose, at least 8 weeks after previous dose.Doses given within 14 days of starting therapy or during therapy should be re-peated at least 3 months after therapy completion.Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)3-dose series with doses 4 weeks apart starting 6 to 12 months after successful transplant (regardless of Hib vaccination history).Anatomic or functional asplenia (includ-ing sickle cell disease)12-59 monthsUnvaccinated or only 1 dose before 12 months: Give 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.2 or more doses before 12 months: Give 1 dose, at least 8 weeks after previous dose.Unimmunized* persons 5 years or olderGive 1 dose.Elective splenectomyUnimmunized* persons 15 months or olderGive 1 dose (preferably at least 14 days before procedure).HIV infection12–59 monthsUnvaccinated or only 1 dose before 12 months: Give 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.2 or more doses before 12 months: Give 1 dose, at least 8 weeks after previous dose.Unimmunized* persons 5–18 yearsGive 1 dose.Immunoglobulin deficiency, early com-ponent complement deficiency12–59 monthsUnvaccinated or only 1 dose before 12 months: Give 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.2 or more doses before 12 months: Give 1 dose, at least 8 weeks after previous dose.

*Unimmunized = less than routine se-ries (through 14 months) OR no doses (14 months or older)

***Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (minimum age: 12 months for routine vaccination)Routine vaccination:2-dose series at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. The 2nd dose may be given as early as 4 weeks after the 1st dose.Catch-up vaccination:Unvaccinated children and adoles-cents: 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.International travel:Infants 6–11 months: 1 dose before departure. Revaccinate with 2 doses at 12–15 months (12 months for children in high-risk areas) and 2nd dose as early as 4 weeks later.Unvaccinated children 12 months and older: 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart before departure.Mumps outbreak:Persons ≥12 months who previously received ≤2 doses of mumps-contain-ing vaccine and are identified by public health authorities to be at increased risk during a mumps outbreak should receive a dose of mumps-virus contain-ing vaccine.

****Hepatitis A (HepA) vaccine. (mini-mum age: 12 months)Routine vaccination:2 doses, separated by 6–18 months, between the 1st and 2nd birthdays. (A series begun before the 2nd birthday should be completed even if the child turns 2 before the 2nd dose is given.)Catch-up vaccination:Anyone 2 years of age or older may receive HepA vaccine if desired. Minimum interval between doses is 6 months.Special populations:Previously unvaccinated persons who should be vaccinated:

Persons traveling to or working in countries with high or intermediate HepA endemicityMen who have sex with menUsers of injection and non-injection drugsPersons who work with hepatitis A virus in a research laborato ry or with non-human primatesPersons with clotting-factor disordersPersons with chronic liver diseasePersons who anticipate close, personal contact (e.g., household or regular babysitting) with an international adop-tee during the first 60 days after arrival in the United States from a country with high or intermediate endemicity (administer the 1st dose as soon as the adoption is planned-ideally at least 2 weeks before the adoptee’s arrival)

*****Serogroup A, C, W, Y meningo-coccal vaccines. (Minimum age: 2 months [Menveo], 9 months [Menactra].Routine:2-dose series: 11-12 years and 16 years.Catch-up:Age 13-15 years: 1 dose now and booster at age 16-18 years. Minimum interval 8 weeks.Age 16-18 years: 1 dose.Special populations and situations:Anatomic or functional asplenia, sickle cell disease, HIV infection, persistent complement component deficiency (including eculizumab use):

Menveo1st dose at 8 weeks: 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months.1st dose at 7–23 months: 2 doses (2nd dose at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose and after the 1st birthday).1st dose at 24 months or older: 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart.MenactraPersistent complement component deficiency:

9–23 months: 2 doses at least 12 weeks apart.24 months or older: 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart.Anatomic or functional asplenia, sickle cell disease, or HIV infection:24 months or older: 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart.Menactra must be administered at least 4 weeks after completion of PCV13 series.Children who travel to or live in coun-tries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, including countries in the African meningitis belt or during the Hajj, or exposure to an outbreak attributable to a vaccine serogroup:

Children <24 months of age:Menveo (2-23 months):1st dose at 8 weeks: 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months.1st dose at 7-23 months: 2 doses (2nd dose at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose and after the 1st birthday).Menactra (9-23 months):2 doses (2nd dose at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose. 2nd dose may be administered as early as 8 weeks after the 1st dose in travelers).Children 2 years or older: 1 dose of Menveo or Menactra.Note: Menactra should be given either before or at the same time as DTaP. For MenACWY booster dose recommenda-tions for groups listed under “Special populations and situations” above, and additional meningococcal vaccina-tion information, see meningococcal MMWR publications at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/mening.html.

Immunization Schedule from Birth to 15 Months

Baby Care LogYour physician may ask you to track your baby’s food intake and stool changes. This is a good practice to ensure your baby is growing and developing in a healthy way.

Time Feedings (Qty.)

Time Diaper Observations Time Hours Slept Time My Day

Total Feedings: Total Total Hours Slept:

Changes, Wet:

Changes, Poopy:

Notes: Notes:

Notes:

Date:

How to soothe your teething baby

Most babies will begin to teethe around the 4-6 month mark. Even if teething starts your baby may not have a tooth errupt for a few weeks or months. There are a few telltale signs that your baby is teething:

• Drooling• Chewing on objects• Irritability• Tender gums

It’s not a pleasant experience for your baby, but there are some things you can do to help them through:

• Rub your baby’s gums by using a clean finger or a gauze pad and slight

pressure. The pressure can ease the pain.

• Apply something cold to their gums like a chilled (not frozen) teething

ring, or a cold washcloth.

• Feed them more solid foods if they are already eating solid food. Offer

them something that requires gnawing like a cool cucumber slice.

• Wipe away the drool, as the excessive drooling may cause skin irritation

and exacerbate the situation.

• Over-the-counter medication is a last resort option if your baby is

especially cranky, and no other options are helping. Children’s Ibuprofen or

Acetaminophen may help, but always check with your pediatrician first.

Teething can generally be handled at home without the assistance of a physician. However, if you notice that your baby’s fever is extremely high or that your baby is having diarrhea, we recommend a visit to your pediatrician.

Motherhood is wonderful, but also challenging. Having support

during this busy time is very important - that’s why we have have

our staff provide accessible information on our Women’s Health

blog. Here are just a few that you may be interested in:

Welcome to Motherhood

Things to love about Baptist Health Pediatricians

Baptist Health’s Recommendations for Safe Sleeping

How to Identify Rashes on Your Baby