Helpful Pediatrics Hints & Tips


		If your child has a fever, dress him or her lightly, give Tylenol every 4-6 hours and give plenty of fluids. Tylenol dosing will be on the bottle according to age and weight of the child. If your child is active and playful, when the fever is down, it is likely to be a viral infection. You can safely wait for a couple of days and then bring him/her to the doctor’s office. If your child is lethargic and looks sick, call your doctor and get him/her checked.

Over the counter diarrhea medications are not recommended because they provide no useful benefit and may also cause harm. Electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte, should be given to replace the fluids lost. If there is vomiting, only give clear liquids in small amounts frequently for about 8-10 hours. If no further vomiting occurs, start feeding and then progress to a regular diet. Avoid milk and cheese for a few days, until the diarrhea resolves.

Babies are prone to every day infections, colds, viruses, and to open skin infections. Do not, therefore, expose your baby to crowds, supermarkets, shopping centers, etc. The baby should not be exposed to people with infections or to children who may be carrying illness for at least 6-8 weeks.

The baby may be taken outside as early as 10-14 days old, weather permitting as long as he or she is dressed appropriately. Put a net over the carriage during the summer to protect against insects. Avoid direct sunlight. Use yourself as a guideline in dressing your baby. If you are comfortable in light clothing, your baby will also be. If you need and extra sweater or coat, your baby will need that extra blanket.

The baby’s room temperature should be similar to yours (65-68 winter, 72-75 summer). Air conditioners may be used as long as vents are not directed at the baby.

Because your baby has not had time build up resistance to infection, try to limit visitors during the first few weeks at home. Discourage friends and relatives from handling the baby. There will be lots of time for that later.

Almost all infants will have a fussy period each day, some more, some less, and it may last from 4 to 6 hours. This is generally in the evening during the hours between 5 and 10. Cause of the child being fussy is unknown and the treatment is for the most part unsatisfactory. The baby should be made comfortable and perhaps offered some warm liquid (i.e. sugar water). However, the best treatment is tolerance of this fussy period. With time and patience, this problem will solve itself.

You want to do everything possible to assure a safe environment for your baby. Beginning with the first car trip home from the hospital, you should always use an infant car seat whenever you take the baby for rides. A baby can be seriously injured in a sudden stop if held in a passenger’s arms rather than secured in an infant car seat.

There are many simple ways to assure your baby’s safety at home. For example, never leave the baby alone on a table or other high place, where he/she could roll off.

Be sure the slats on the crib and playpen are no more than 2 ³/₈inches apart, so the baby’s head cannot possibly get caught between them. The mattress should be firm, flat, and fit the crib snugly on all four sides. Keep the crib free of clutter. This means no pillow and no toys that the baby could become entangled in.

Babies are attracted to colorful and shiny objects. Keep small objects like buttons and pins away from the baby’s reach so he/she is not tempted to pick them up and swallow them.

A baby’s delicate skin can be burned easily. When you take the baby outside, protect him/her from hot rays of the sun. Always test the water before the baby’s bath to be sure it’s not too hot. Smoking cigarettes while feeding or playing with the baby could be dangerous, because hot ashes could fall on the baby. Also, don’t hold the baby while cooking. Hot fat could splatter on the baby, or he/she could touch hot pans or their contents.