Well Child Care at 2 Weeks

Feeding

At the age of 2 weeks, a baby needs only breast milk or infant formula. Babies can get enough milk by feeding every 2 to 3 hours, including during the night. If your baby wants to feed more often, try a pacifier. Your baby may need to suck but not feed.

Breast-fed babies should usually feed about 10 minutes at each breast during each feeding. If you use formula, your baby will take 2 to 3 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. Carefully follow the instructions for mixing the formula. Check it to make sure that it is warm, but not hot. Keep formula you don’t use right away in the refrigerator.

It’s important to hold your baby during feeding. Don’t prop a bottle. This is a good time to talk to your baby.

Development

Babies at this age are learning to use their eyes and ears. They start to respond to smiling faces and gentle, pleasant voices.

Babies usually sleep 16 or more hours a day, but they won’t start to sleep all night until 3 to 5 months of age.

Most babies will strain to pass bowel movements. As long as the bowel movement is soft, there is no need to worry if your baby just has bowel movements every few days. If your baby has bowel movements that are hard or difficult to pass, ask your child’s healthcare provider about it.

Babies usually wet the diaper at least 6 times each day.

Safety Tips

Having a new baby is a major life change. Help from friends and relatives can be very important at this time. A few mothers get the blues or feel depressed after a baby is born. Be sure to tell someone if you are feeling this way. Ask your baby’s healthcare provider for help. If you find yourself getting annoyed or angry with your baby, or if your baby is crying too much and you cannot cope with it, call a friend or relative for help. NEVER shake a baby.

Choking and Suffocation

• Be sure to pick a safe location for your baby’s crib or bassinet. It should not be too near a heater. Make sure crib sides are always completely up. Use a crib with slats not more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart. Babies can get hurt if crib slats are further apart than this.
• Use a firm mattress that fits the crib snugly.
• Place your baby in bed on his back. Sleeping on the back lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy baby.
• Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's crib. Also keep plastic bags, balloons, and baby powder out of reach.
• Don’t let your baby sleep in a bed or on a couch, and don’t sleep with your baby.

Falls

• Never leave your baby on a high place, like a changing table, bed, or couch. Your baby should never be left alone except in a bassinet or crib with the crib sides up.
• Keep mesh netting of playpens in the upright position. The mesh should have openings of less than 1/4 inch.
• Always buckle the safety belts or straps when your baby is in an infant carrier or shopping cart.

Car Safety

• Car seats are the safest way for babies to travel in cars and are required by law. Place infant car seats in the back seat with your baby facing toward the back of the car. If you are not sure how to install the seat in your car, contact your local fire department.
• Never leave children alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes. Children are at risk for heat illness and injury when left alone. Always check to make sure your child is not still in the car when you leave your car.

Fires and Burns

• Never eat, drink, or carry anything hot while you are holding your baby or very near your baby.
• Turn your water heater down to 120°F (49°C) or lower.
• Install smoke detectors. Check your smoke detectors as often as recommended by the manufacturer or at least once a month to make sure they work. For all detectors that use batteries, replace batteries at least once a year or when they are low.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.

Smoking

• Children who live in a house where someone smokes have more respiratory infections, like colds, flu, and throat infections. Their symptoms are also more severe and last longer than those of children who live in a smoke-free home.
• If you smoke, set a quit date and stop. Ask your healthcare provider for help in quitting. If you cannot quit, do NOT smoke in the house, car, or near children.

Immunizations

Immunizations protect your child against several serious, life-threatening diseases. Shortly after birth, your child will get a hepatitis B shot. Ask your healthcare provider what symptoms or problems you should watch for after your child gets the shot and what to do if your child has them. The next vaccines are recommended at 2 months of age.

Bring your child's shot record to all visits with your child’s healthcare provider.

Next Visit

Your baby's next routine visit may be at 1 month or 2 months of age.