Although there aren't really any complete or formal rules for what makes a good parent, these are some of the things that most people would agree that you should do 'by the book' when your baby is 4 1/2 months old:
- Breastfeeding - if nursing, try to exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months and avoid supplements of water, formula, or juice. Your baby will likely be nursing about 7 or 8 times a day now.
- Baby Formula - if not breastfeeding, feed your baby about 24 to 32 ounces of iron-fortified infant formula each day.
- Starting Solids - an iron fortified rice cereal can be started once your baby is ready and is about 6 months old (typical range for starting is from 4 to 8 months).
- Vitamins - unless your baby was born premature or has other health problems, you likely won't need to give him vitamins, except for exclusively breastfeeding babies who need Vitamin D drops beginning before they are 2 months old.
- Back To Sleep - to help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS, be sure to put your to sleep on her back in a safe crib.
- Safety Outside - you can use insect repellents once your baby is 2 months old, but it is best to keep them out of the sun and use sunscreen until they are 6 months old.
- Baby Car Seats - until she is 12 months old AND is over 20 pounds, your baby should sit in the back seat facing backwards when riding in the car.
Things to Avoid with your Baby
Just as important as what you do with your baby are the things you don't do, including that you:
- never shake your baby, which could lead to shaken baby syndrome.
- do not feed your baby honey, cow's milk, or goat's milk.
- do not leave your baby where she could fall.
- do not let your baby get overheated when she is sleeping, which is a risk factor for SIDS.
- do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke.
