1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months Birth 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months 10 Months 11 Months 12 Months 13 thru 18 Months 19 thru 24 Months

Good Medicine

Few things are worse than watching your child suffer with illness or pain. Medicine can help, but only if it’s given correctly. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have some practical advice for using medications safely.

  • Follow directions exactly. Giving medicine in larger doses or more often than prescribed can be harmful.

  • Know your abbreviations. Pay close attention to recommended dosage amounts. “TBSP” is a tablespoon; “T” or “TSP” is a teaspoon.

  • Weigh in. Read the label to make sure the dosage is appropriate for your child based on his weight rather than his age.

  • Stay on schedule. Don’t skip a dose to let your child sleep or because he’s fussy. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose.

  • Finish it all. Make sure your child takes all his prescription medication, even if he starts feeling better or doesn’t like it.

  • Turn on the light. Giving your child medicine in a darkened room increases the risk of giving him the wrong dose or even the wrong medicine.

  • Watch him take it. This is no time for toddler independence. Give your child the exact dosage and stay with him until he swallows it. Don’t leave medications within his reach.

  • Don’t call it candy. Many children’s medications are flavored to make them pleasant tasting. Don’t confuse him into thinking it’s okay to eat it like candy.

  • Use the children’s formula. Never give your child medications labeled only for adults.

  • Check the ingredients. If your child is taking more than one medication, read the labels to make sure they don’t contain the same or similar active ingredients such as a decongestant. Too much could be dangerous.

  • Use the right measuring cup or spoon. Use only the measuring device that comes with the medicine or one made specifically for measuring drugs. Skip the household spoons; they’re not the same size and could result in the wrong dosage.

Sources: "A Guide to Your Child's Medicines," American Academy of Pediatrics, updated February 2007, www.aap.org. "Using Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Products in Children," www.fda.gov, posted October 22, 2008

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Baby's First Holiday

Having a new baby in the family can bring extra special meaning to the holidays, but it can also create extra tension as everyone jostles for your little one's attention. With careful planning, lots of communication and a willingness to put your new family first, your holiday can be just the way you want it.
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Weigh In

You usually know instinctively if your baby is healthy, but comparing her growth to "normal" guidelines is a good way to help put your mind at ease. Many babies grow a half inch to an inch per month between birth and six months. In that same period, babies can gain five to seven ounces per week. Between six months and a year, she'll probably grow about three-eighths inch per month and gain three to five ounces per week. It's normal for her to double her birth height and triple her birth weight by her first birthday.

Source: "Infant and Toddler Health," www.mayoclinic.com, August 21, 2009

Shoe Knew?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies don't actually need to wear shoes until they start learning to walk. Going shoeless indoors allows your infant's feet to grow normally, helps them develop strength and lets her experiment with grasping with her toes. If you want to keep her feet warm or protect them from the elements, opt for soft-soled slippers, booties or nonskid socks.