On Becoming Babywise. Life is much easier when the grandparents know
what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Growth Spurts
Growth spurts are just that—spurts of growth that come on your baby.
The first may come as early as the tenth day preceded with a sleepy day
and voracious breast-feeding. They may show up again at three, six, and
twelve weeks, and then again at four and six months. If your baby has
been content after feedings but suddenly no longer is, he or she probably
is beginning a growth spurt. The nursing mom may find the baby wanting
to nurse longer, and there will be some frustration on baby’s part if the
mother doesn’t have enough milk. If you are breast-feeding, these spurts
may necessitate some extra feedings for a couple of days to increase your
milk supply to meet your baby’s increased demand. If you are feeding
every 3 hours when this happens, drop back to 2½ hours over the next
couple of days. If you are bottle-feeding and suspect your baby is
experiencing a growth spurt, simply offer more formula per feeding.
Immunizations
The ability to protect our children from the tragedies of polio and other
deadly diseases is one of the blessings of our day. Medical research has
provided us with effective immunizations that build up antibodies to fight
off invading disease. But the vaccines are useless if the child never
receives them. Parents are responsible to see that their child is fully
protected. The eight common vaccinations offered are polio, diphtheria,
pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, rubella (German measles), mumps,
measles, hepatitis, and Haemophilus influenza, type b (Hib). Most
pediatricians start routine immunizations within the first two months.
Because immunization schedules change frequently as better vaccines
and more information become available, you will need to ask your
pediatrician for a current time table of vaccinations. If you have concerns
or questions about any of them, by all means, ask your pediatrician.