Chaska
Delano
Maple Grove
Minnetonka
Spring Park
Main Fax
(952) 473-7908
2 weeks
Nutrition
Offer breast milk or formula only. Most babies will nurse every 2 to 4 hours, or take 18 to 24 ounces of prepared formula per day. No solid foods are recommended at this time. Feedings usually take 20-30 minutes.
After a brief period of weight loss, your baby will begin to gain weight steadily (approximately one ounce per day). Your baby's appetite may vary, just as yours does, and will depend on many factors (including growth rate and activity level).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding babies (and any baby taking less than 17 ounces of formula per day) start a daily over-the-counter liquid multi-vitamin containing at least 200 I.U. (units) of Vitamin D per dose. There are several commercial brands available. Also, if you have well water that you will be using at home, we recommend having it tested for fluoride content. Please ask us for information on testing. A fluoride supplement, if necessary, begins at 6 months.
Wellness Visits
Sleep patterns vary greatly among infants. Most sleep 12-20 hours a day in 3-5 hour stretches. It is recommended to place infants on their backs for sleep.
Sleep
Stool frequency varies from one every feeding, to once a week or less. Bottle-fed infants' stools are usually soft, green or brown. Nursing infants have frequent, loose, watery, yellow stools.
Elimination
PLEASE MAKE EVERY RIDE A SAFE RIDE! Use an approved infant car seat, facing backward in the center back seat of the car until your infant is 20 pounds and 1 year of age.
Check your hot water heater to be sure the water temperature is no hotter than 120 degrees F. Always be near your baby while she is in the bathtub.
Never attach a pacifier around your baby's neck.
To warm refrigerated breast milk or newly-made formula, place the bag or bottle in a bowl of warm water. If you warm formula in a microwave oven, always test the temperature of the liquid before feeding your infant. Containers may remain cool while the liquid becomes dangerously hot. Serious burns have resulted.
If you feel your baby is crying a lot (not related to illness) and you are at your wit's end, put your baby in a safe place and take a break. Call a relative, friend, or the Parent Warmline (612-813-6336). If your frustration is increasing, call Crisis Connection (612-379-6363) or Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (763-591-0100).
Two-week-old babies can accidentally flip themselves over while on a flat surface or flip out of an infant seat. To guard against falls, never leave your baby unattended while on a changing table, sofa, etc. If your baby is in an infant seat, place the seat on the floor and secure the safety strap.
Safety
Welcoming an infant into your life is considered one of life's major stresses! Whether this baby is your first or fifth, the next few weeks will be a time of adjustment. We encourage you to recognize this and give yourself the time, rest, and support needed to deal with the unexpected changes.
Siblings need to hold, touch, and feel close to the baby. Some siblings get overly excited and helpful, but can also feel displaced and rejected. The way in which they respond will depend on their temperaments. Negative behaviors are often directed toward mom or dad because they are the ones who are holding the new baby, saying "just a minute" or "don't do that!" and are also more tired than usual. It's common to see more sibling temper tantrums, clingy behaviors, sleep disturbances and toileting regressions. It helps to talk openly about how the older child feels, and to find some uninterrupted "special time" daily to spend alone with him or her. It is also important that you continue to maintain your limits. Pets often experience adjustment time, too!
Family Adjustments
If you feel your baby is ill (is more irritable or lethargic than usual, is not eating as much as usual, is coughing more than usual, etc.) or has a temperature over 100.4 degrees (always taken rectally at this age), call us right away.
Your baby's next health care visit is at age TWO MONTHS. By that time she will probably be smiling, cooing, and much more interested in her environment. We ask that you review the printed information about the Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV7), Hepatitis B (HBV) and oral Rotavirus vaccinations. Please try to be at least 10 minutes early for all scheduled well-child visits.
Enjoy your new adventure!