Expecting ParentsHealth and Safety
June 15, 2020
By 2 weeks of age, most babies are waking up two to four times a night to feed. A reasonable goal is for your baby to sleep through the night by 4 to 6 months of age.
Remember to clean your child’s teeth daily. Pediatric dentists see children at 1 year of age.
At the 18 month visit, a developmental screening will be administered to verify your child’s development is progressing appropriately.
It is time to evaluate your child’s car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a backward-facing car seat for as long as possible. Each car seat is different, so you should read your car seat manual for specific height and weight limits. For up-to-date car seat safety information, visit healthychildren.org.
Daily brushing with a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) containing fluoride is now recommended. AAP suggests that parents begin preventative dental examinations when the child’s first tooth appears – no later than 1 year of age.
Your child’s growth rate will continue to slow down for the next four years. The average child gains about 4 pounds and grows 2.5 inches per year.
Your child is full of movement and personality at this age. You should be impressed by your child’s activity and improving coordination. Running, climbing stairs, climbing on furniture and throwing objects are a few of the skills he is acquiring. Your child should also be able to use a spoon and fork at mealtime. You will hear his vocabulary increase and notice he is putting words together.
At this age, your child should be continuing to eat a balanced diet. Avoid any extra sugar, specifically juices and soda, and include fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean meats and whole-grain products. Lowfat or nonfat milk is recommended. If your child does not consume three glasses of milk a day, consider a vitamin D supplement or a multivitamin.
You will notice your child is full of energy and may spend a lot of time observing, imitating, investigating and asking “why” questions. At this age, children love to spend time with parents and enjoy helping out with simple household tasks. Your child will enjoy being around and playing with other children, which is important for learning social skills.
Your child should brush teeth regularly after meals. When your child can spit out toothpaste, you can begin using more than a smear (size of a grain of rice) of fluoride-containing toothpaste. Your child should visit the dentist for check-ups every 6 months.
Do not expect your child to stay out of things just because you said no. Maintain a baby-proof home and monitor your child’s activity at all times.
Talk to your child often about colors, numbers and shapes in your everyday conversation. Ask your child for help with simple tasks, such as placing the napkins by each plate, putting socks in the drawer or stirring the muffin batter. Continue to read to your child often and begin to sing simple songs.
Many parents worry that their child is not yet potty-trained, but about 50 percent of 3-year-olds will not be toilet trained.
At this age, some children sleep so soundly that they sleep through the feeling of a full bladder and empty it during deep sleep. Try to have your child empty his/her bladder before going to bed and have your child practice getting up and going to the bathroom at night.
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