Walter J. Cook - Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Babys First Years

Mayo Clinic

Medical Editors

Walter J. Cook, M.D. Kelsey M. Klaas, M.D.

Editorial Director

Paula M. Marlow Limbeck

Senior Editor

Karen R. Wallevand

Managing Editor

Rachel A. Haring Bartony

Senior Product Manager

Daniel J. Harke

Art Director

Stewart (Jay) J. Koski

Illustration, Photography and Production

Jeanna L. Duerscherl, Kent McDaniel, Kevin J. Ness

Editorial Research Librarians

Abbie Y. Brown, Edward (Eddy) S. Morrow Jr., Erika A. Riggin, Katherine (Katie) J. Warner

Copy Editors

Miranda M. Attlesey, Alison K. Baker, Nancy J. Jacoby, Julie M. Maas

Indexer

Steve Rath

Contributors

Katelyn R. Anderson, M.D.; Meghan R. Cain, M.D.; Jennifer L. Fang, M.D.; Jason (Jay) H. Homme, M.D.; Flora R. Howie, M.D.; Robert M. Jacobson, M.D.; Heather L. LaBruna; Anupama Ravi, M.D.; Magdalena Romanowicz, M.D.; Laura H. Waxman

Published by Mayo Clinic Press

2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)

MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Note: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended only as an informative guide to those wishing to know more about health issues. In no way is this book intended to replace, countermand, or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. Information in this book is offered with no guarantees on the part of the authors or Mayo Clinic Press. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book. The names and identifying details of people associated with events described in the book have been changed. Any similarity to the actual person is coincidental. The individuals pictured in the lifestyle photos are models. There is no correlation between the individuals portrayed and the condition or subject being discussed.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019949851

ISBN-13 (hardcover): 9781893005570
ISBN-13 (ebook): 9780795352829

Printed in the United States of America.

Raising a child is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, experiences youll likely ever have. There is perhaps nothing more special than the lifelong bond that forms between a parent and a child.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Babys First Years is an easy-to-use yet comprehensive how-to manual for caring for your child, from newborn days all the way to toddlerhood. From chapters on month-by-month development to ones on health and safety, this book covers what you need to know. Theres also a wealth of tips for moms and dads coping with the many changes to daily life that come with parenthood.

The pages that follow will provide you with a lot of helpful information. But youre the one who makes it all happen. A positive attitude, a good support system and plenty of love can go a long way in making the years ahead truly enjoyable.

A project of this scope requires the teamwork of many individuals. A special thanks to all of our colleagues who helped make this book possible.

The Editors

Walter J. Cook, M.D., (left) is a specialist in general pediatric care within the Department of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and an assistant professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. A father of three, including twins, he has cared for thousands of babies in more than 25 years of pediatric practice.

Kelsey M. Klaas, M.D., (right) is a pediatrician in the Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic Childrens Center in Rochester, Minn. She is the mother of two young children who brings both a medical and a new parent perspective to the book.

To help you easily find what youre looking for, Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Babys First Years is divided into six sections.

From how to feed your newborn to helping toddlers develop good sleep habits, youll find basic baby- and toddler-care tips in this detailed section. Youll also find tips for clothing your little one, strategies for comforting a crying baby and handling tantrums in the toddler years.

Part 2 covers all of the key elements to preventing and dealing with injury and illness. Youll read about doctor checkups and vaccinations, as well as suggestions for childproofing your home.

This section provides monthly insights into your babys growth and development. It covers a range of topics including toys and games, separation anxiety, screen time, and preschool readiness. It also covers developmental milestones such as walking, learning new words and connecting with family members.

Here youll find helpful tips for managing conditions that commonly affect young children, such as fevers, colds, ear infections, pink eye and others. Youll also learn when medication may be appropriate and when it may be best to avoid it.

Caring for a young child can be nerve-wracking and exhausting. The information in Part 5 can help you get through the first three years with the reassurance that youre doing well.

Most children are born healthy, but sometimes problems can develop. Diseases and disorders that can affect young children, and how theyre treated, are discussed here.

Congratulations! You are now entering one of the greatest phases of your life parenthood. There is perhaps nothing in life more special than the bond that forms between a parent and a child. Its a relationship that will bring endless years of joy, laughter, admiration and satisfaction. The time you spend raising your child will be time that you will cherish forever. In the years to come, youll learn more about attachment, love and protectiveness than you ever thought possible.

But be prepared that not every day in your parenthood journey will be grand and glorious. Like everything else in life, there will be ups and downs. You may find that some of the more stressful and exhausting days of being a parent will come early on, when you first bring your new son or daughter home.

Bringing a baby into your house can literally turn your life upside down. The routine you once knew having time to yourself, getting together with friends, going out for a relaxing dinner or spending the day indulging in your favorite hobby has been put on hold. In its place is a reality that may feel totally foreign to you. Thats because children dont arrive with instruction manuals, and parenting is somewhat of a trial-by-fire experience. If youve never had to care for a young child before, you may feel nervous, unsure of yourself and a bit lost. Thats to be expected and is perfectly normal.

Many parents describe their first year with a new baby as a roller coaster ride. As one new mom put it, One minute youre laughing and joking; the next minute youre crying, not really knowing why. You may go from adoring your baby and marveling at tiny fingers and toes to grieving your loss of independence and worrying about your ability to care for a newborn, all in the space of a single diaper change.