How to keep my baby healthy

Baby Health is most important things to every parents.

Well-Baby Visits

You will need to schedule an appointment with your baby’s doctor as directed after leaving the hospital. You will also need to make appointments for regular well-baby check-ups. These visits are most frequently scheduled with routine immunizations for many preventable illnesses. These appointments will allow you to talk about routine care with your baby’s healthcare provider. It is also a good time for you to learn how to feed your baby and handle problems such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, crying spells or feeding problems.

Protecting Your Baby Against Disease: Immunizations

Immunizations, also called vaccinations or shots, are medicines given to protect your child against certain harmful diseases. All of these diseases still occur and, for some, there is no cure. All can cause permanent disability; some can cause death. Vaccinations are given by mouth or by injection (shot). Studies also show that infants who are immunized have a lower risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or “Crib Death”).

Immunizations are an effective way to produce disease-fighting substances called antibodies. Children are susceptible to nine very dangerous diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Your child is most vulnerable to diseases when very young, so immunization should start early. Your child should receive immunizations at birth, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years, and then as a teen.

Vaccines are among the safest and most effective medicines. Reactions do occur, but they are rarely serious. It is important to remember that the risk of disease from delaying or not vaccinating your child is far greater than the remote risk of a serious reaction.

Your baby’s doctor will decide the exact schedule for your baby’s vaccinations. Babies do often run fever after receiving vaccines. Call the doctor if your baby’s fever is above 99.6°F and does not come down with acetaminophen (see Taking a Temperature section of this booklet on page 45), if your baby is crying and cannot be calmed, or is excessively sleepy or floppy.

Your doctor or public health clinic will keep a record of your child’s immunizations. You will need an immunization record to enroll your child in day care or school.

Immunization of Parents, Caregivers and Family Members

Parents, caregivers and family members of newborns are encouraged to receive the Tetanus Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to protect their infants from pertussis.

Pertussis (“whooping cough”) is very contagious and can cause serious illness and even death in babies. It is most often spread by adults or older children coughing or sneezing near babies. If you didn’t receive this vaccine during your pregnancy, you may be offered the vaccine while in the hospital.

Encourage your family members and other caregivers that will be around your baby to get vaccinated for whooping cough. This will create a circle of protection called “cocooning.” Other family members and caregivers should contact their doctor about receiving the vaccine.