A new baby’s muscles are not strong enough to support his or her head until around three months of age. It is important to remember this when you hold or carry your baby. You can support your child’s head easily in the crook of our arm. If you hold the baby upright against you chest, or with the head resting on your shoulder, be sure to support the head with your hand.

WHEN TO FEED YOUR BABY

 Feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry. Do not put your baby on a schedule. After a few months, baby will set his or her own schedule. You can start your baby on low-fat (2 percent) or homogenized milk at nine to twelve months of age. Feed your baby the milk you use, cold out of the refrigerator, and make the baby a member of the family. All babies need some fat to grow; do not use nonfat milk. True milk allergy is uncommon, but mild intolerance is common. If your baby does not do well on a milk formula, changing to a soy formula may help. Your baby’s appetite will probably decrease during the hot summer months. However, fluids are important and should be encouraged. Remember, your baby will eat and drink what he or she needs if you make it available.

WHAT TO FEED YOUR BABY – Nutritionally your baby does not need anything except breast milk or formula until six months of age. If you like, you can offer your infant some water in between feedings. Most babies do not like water and refuse it. If that happens, do not worry; both breast milk and formula contain plenty of free water to take care of the baby’s needs. Some time after three weeks of age, solids such as baby rice cereal given late in the evening may make your baby sleep longer.

 BOTTLES – There are few real pleasures in life, and, to a baby, having a bottle is one of them. The important point is not for your baby to give up the bottle, but to learn to drink from a cup. Once your baby learns this, around nine months of age a few bottles a day are not a problem. There is no specific age when you have to stop the bottle. After two years of age bottles are not appropriate in public, but are OK at home. Bottles with sugar-containing fluids such as milk and juice must be finished promptly and not be sipped on. Children who continually sip on bottles with milk or sugar containing fluids get tooth decay we call bottles caries. This destroys their front teeth. If your baby needs to carry a bottle and sip occasionally for security, give him or her a plain water bottle. This will not hurt the teeth.

PACIFIERS – Most children like to suck. It gives them security. Pacifiers are wonderful: They give parents many hours of peace and quiet. Pacifiers all work the same, use one that your baby likes. They do not deform the teeth or cause your child to need braces in the future. If you don’t offer a pacifier, your baby may start his or her thumb. Thumbs do push on the palate and teeth, which may result in the need for braces in the future. Offer a pacifier early, so that your baby does not start sucking on his or her thumb. Thumbs are firmly attached and cannot, eventually, be thrown away.

SECURITY BLANKETS – Security blankets are common. They make your child feel good and are harmless. Clean the security blanket occasionally. It eventually falls apart and is gone. “Designer Birth Announcement” blankets are available at http://www.stylishfavors.com/photo_throws.html.