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Advice: 1 Month

Advice for 1 month olds

Nutrition

Babies should consume only breastmilk or formula until 4-6 months of age. Even on hot days, breastmilk and formula will supply what your baby needs, so babies do not need water before 6 months of age.

Babies who are breastfeeding tend to feed on demand every 2-4 hours during the day, and can go anywhere from 3-6 hours overnight. Babies who are formula feeding can take anywhere from 2-6 ounces of formula per feed, which can be a total of 24-35 ounces in a 24-hour period.

All exclusively breastfed infants and infants receiving <32 oz of formula daily should take a Vitamin D supplement, 400 IU daily.

Newborn Safety

ALWAYS... keep one hand on your baby when on a changing table. Never leave a baby unattended unless they are in a bassinet, crib or playpen. Babies can roll and fall off easily, even when you think they cannot move.

ALWAYS…be careful leaving toddlers and pets alone with the baby. Their actions are unpredictable.

ALWAYS... ensure safety in your environment. Check the smoke detectors in your home and make sure that your hot water heater is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

ALWAYS… put the baby in a car seat while driving. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain facing backwards in the center of the back seat until age 2. Never place a car seat in the front seat. Do not place any loose blankets or clothing in the car seat.

ALWAYS… ensure your baby sleeps on their back, in their own space, without any stuffed animals, toys or blankets. Never co-sleep.

ALWAYS… practice water safety. Keep one hand on your baby during bath time at all times. Never leave them alone in shallow water in a bathtub or infant tub. Fence in backyard pools.

What to expect at your 1 month check-up

Check-up: Your provider will complete a comprehensive history and physical exam, review growth curves, answer any questions, and provide age appropriate guidance.

Vaccines: Your provider may discuss Beyfortus for RSV prevention if your child has not already received this. There are no other scheduled vaccines at this visit.

Labs:  There are no routine labs at this visit

Feeding Support

We strongly encourage pairing the 2-week check-up with a Feeding Support Visit with out Lactation Consultant, Maureen Mills.  

We also encourage all new mom’s to check out one of our Newborn Support Groups!

For more information on these services, follow the link below! 

Commonly Asked Questions: 1 month

Fever and Illness

 A temperature of 100.4 or greater in an infant under 2 months old is considering a medical emergency. Please call immediately if your baby has a temperature this high. To check a temperature rectally: lay baby on their back, insert the tip of a lubricated thermometer about ¾ of an inch into the anal opening and wait until you hear your thermometer beep. RSV is also a concern at this age, so please speak to your provider about RSV prophylaxis if your child has not already received it.

At this age, some babies will start to stretch out their nighttime feeds, and some babies will not. To strive for longer stretches, it can be helpful to start a nighttime routine to support their developing circadian rhythm (as simple as reading a book, taking a bath, or feeding in the same location before bed each night). Adding solid foods or oatmeal/thickener to bottles at this age is not safe (unless advised to do so by your provider), and has not been proven to help the baby sleep longer. Babies should still sleep in their own space (on their backs, on a firm, flat surface, without toys or blankets) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

A newborn’s most important job is to feed and sleep. To help further their development, you can read or sing to them, take them on walks, and practice tummy time a few times a day.

Crying, fussiness, and colic peak between 3-8 weeks of age. It is common for babies to spend some time during the day crying and being harder to console. This is normal- there is so much happening in their brains right now! The important part is trying to stay calm and asking for help if you need it. Please speak to your doctor if you are having a hard time consoling your baby or if you have any other concerns.

“Gassiness” also peaks around this age. It is common for babies to grunt or strain as their intestinal system is going through a growth cycle of its own. Doing maneuvers such as bicycling the legs or massaging their belly in gentle circles can help.

Cradle cap, acne, and heat rashes are common at this age. These will go away with time and do not usually bother the baby. We recommend baths 2-3 times a week using gentle, fragrance-free baby soaps. Diaper rashes are best treated with barrier creams (zinc oxide, petroleum jelly) and “airing out” when possible.