Child Health
Since babies learn a lot by looking, it is helpful for you to know about their eyes and vision. Vision specialists say it's normal for an infant's eyes to look crossed occasionally during the first 5 or 6 months of life. This can last up to 18 months of age.
Tooth decay in babies is serious. A baby can have painful toothaches and teeth may turn black and have to be pulled. If teeth are lost early, a baby can have problems with chewing and learning to talk. Permanent teeth may also be damaged as they develop.
By the time your child is 2 years old, she will have 20 teeth. If any of these teeth are decayed, your child may have what dentists call "nursing bottle mouth." Bacteria in baby's mouth reacts with sugar to make acid.
Shoes protect feet from rough or sharp surfaces. They don't help baby stand or walk. Until he starts walking in places that might hurt his feet, baby doesn't need to wear shoes.
Much of baby's first year is spent learning how to listen. Through listening your infant learns about the world, makes sounds, and learns to talk.
There's a sure way to prevent baby from getting a serious illness. It's called immunizations or baby shots. All children should receive their baby shots between the time they are born and before they become 2 years old.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the medical term used to describe the unexplained death of an infant. In the United States today, one in 500 infants dies of SIDS. It strikes families of all races, ethnic origins, and incomes.
Babies need fresh air and light, but too much sun can be harmful. Baby skin is delicate and burns easily. Researchers have recently found that severe sunburn in childhood can lead to a greater risk of the most deadly form of skin cancer later in life.
When your baby is small, bathe her in the kitchen sink or a special baby tub. But as she gets bigger, you may need to move her into the big bathtub.
Is your baby teething? Perhaps he's cranky. Maybe he drools a lot. While first teeth usually come in at 6 months of age, some babies get them as early as 3 months, while others don't get any teeth until they're one year old or older. Once she starts, baby will "teethe" for months.
As you get to know your baby you can probably tell when she isn't her usual self. No doctor wants to be called for every sniffle, but any doctor would rather have you call with a question than let a problem become serious.
There's no doubt about it--breast milk is the best food for babies. The whole first year, the only acceptable substitute for breast milk is iron-fortified infant formula.
