Periodic breathing, in which breathing starts and stops again, is normal and is not a sign of sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS). Some infants will vomit or spit up after each feeding, but have nothing physically wrong with them. They continue to gain weight and develop normally.

Other infants grunt and groan while making a bowel movement but produce soft, blood-free stools, and their growth and feeding are good. This is due to immature abdominal muscles used for pushing and does not need to be treated.

Sleep/wake cycles vary and do not stabilize until a baby is 3 months old. These cycles occur in random intervals of 30 - 50 minutes at birth and gradually increase as the infant matures. By age 4 months, most infants will have one 5-hour period of uninterrupted sleep per day.

Breast-fed infants will feed about every 2 hours. Formula-fed infants should be able to go 3 hours between feedings. During periods of rapid growth, they may feed more often.

You don't need to give a baby water. In fact, it could be dangerous. An infant who is drinking enough will produce 6 - 8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Teaching the infant to suck a pacifier or his or her own thumb provides comfort between feedings.

SAFETY

Safety is very important for infants. Base safety on the child's developmental stage. For example, around age 4 - 6 months, the infant may begin to roll over. Therefore, be very careful while the baby is on the changing table.

Consider the following important safety tips:

• Be aware of poisons (household cleaners, cosmetics, medications, and even some plants) in your home and keep them out of your infant's reach. Use drawer and cupboard safety latches. Post the national poison control number -- 1-800-222-1222 -- near the phone.
• Do not allow older infants to crawl or walk around in the kitchen while adults or older siblings are cooking. Block the kitchen off with a gate or place the infant in a playpen, highchair, or crib while others cook.
• Do not drink or carry anything hot while holding the infant to avoid burns. Infants begin waving their arms and grabbing for objects at 3 - 5 months.
• Do not leave an infant alone with siblings or pets. Even older siblings may not be ready to handle an emergency if it occurs. Pets, even though they may appear to be gentle and loving, may react unexpectedly to an infant's cries or grabs, or may actually smother an infant by lying too closely.
• Do not leave an infant alone on a surface from which the child can wiggle or roll over and fall off.
• For the first 5 months of life, always place your infant on his or her back to go to sleep. This position has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Once a baby can roll over by himself, the maturing nervous system greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.
• Know how to handle a choking emergency in an infant by taking a certified course through the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a local hospital.
• Never leave small objects within an infant's reach -- infants explore their environment by putting everything they can get their hands on into their mouth.
• Place your infant in a proper car seat for every car ride, no matter how short the distance. Use a car seat that faces backwards until the infant is at least 1 year old AND weighs 20 pounds, or longer if possible. Then you can safely switch to a forward facing car seat. The safest place for the infant's car seat is in the middle of the back seat. It is very important for the driver to pay attention to driving -- not playing with the infant. If an infant needs assistance, safely pull the car over to the shoulder and park before trying to help the infant.
• Use gates on stairways, and block off rooms that are not "child proof" -- remember, infants may learn to crawl or scoot as early as 6 months.

CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• The infant does not look good, looks different from normal, or cannot be consoled by holding, rocking, or cuddling.
• The infant's growth or development does not appear normal.
• Your infant seems to be "losing" developmental milestones. For example, if your 9 onth old was able to pull to standing, but at 12 months is no longer able to sit unsupported.
• You are concerned at any time.

Images

Moro reflex

Infantile reflexes

Skull of a newborn

Developmental milestones

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Review Date: 01/17/2011
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)