Baby

You asked us: Is my baby ready...

…to face forward in a car seat?
…to wear sunblock?
…to sit in a jogging stroller?
…to sit in a high chair?
…to get a flu shot?
…to visit the dentist?
…to travel on an airplane?
…to have some tummy time?
…to take an over-the-counter cold medicine?
…to take a bath?

Expert: Dr. Shirley Blaichman is a community-based paediatrician on staff at the Montreal Children's Hospital. She is a member of the public education subcommittee for the Canadian Paediatric Society.

…to face forward in a car seat?
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends keeping your child rear-facing until he is at least one year old or “until he has reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat.” The longer you can keep baby in the rear-facing position, the safer it is, says Blaichman. Be sure to check the recommendations for your seat and remember that the age, weight and height recommendations have been tested to ensure your child’s safety.

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…to wear sunblock?
Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under the age of six months. “After six months we recommend a physical sunscreen, such as zinc oxide, as opposed to a chemical one,” says Blaichman. “And it’s a good idea to try it out on a small area first to make sure that the baby does not have a reaction.” Your infant’s skin is ultra sensitive, so keeping her out of the harmful rays of the sun is the best way to protect her. When outdoors, make sure your babe is wearing a hat and kept in a shaded area. You might also consider dressing her in UV-protective clothing.

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…to sit in a jogging stroller?
Jogging strollers are a great way for mom to keep fit, but it’s important to note that they are not recommended for children under the age of 12 months because the ride is too bumpy for a baby’s developing spine. Check your manufacturer’s safety instructions and ensure your wee one is fitted in a bicycle helmet before the two of you hit the road.

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…to sit in a high chair?
“High chairs can be used as soon as the child is able to sit,” says Blaichman. Be sure to check the safety instruction book before fastening your little one in for a feed. Remember to use all of the safety straps every time your child is in the chair and most importantly never leave him unattended.

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…to get a flu shot?
The Canadian Paediatric Society says that children can receive the flu shot starting at six months of age. “The first time a child under the age of nine receives the flu shot they get two vaccinations (two months apart) to induce immunity,” says Blaichman. Getting vaccinated is especially important for children who are considered at high risk for complications from influenza. High risk factors include “heart or lung problems (such as cystic fibrosis or asthma), or a chronic condition like diabetes.”

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…to visit the dentist?
The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario recommends that children visit the dentist around one year of age “or shortly after the primary teeth begin to erupt.” Your baby’s first visit will include an assessment, advice on beginning a preventative oral health program, discussion of home-care techniques and making plans to return for follow-up visits.

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…to travel on an airplane?
The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recommends waiting until your child is at least seven days old before travelling by plane. This is because cabin pressure in an airplane changes often, and newborn babies’ systems may have trouble adjusting.” It’s important to check with your airline to make sure you’re in compliance with their safety requirements. “If your baby is younger than seven days old and must travel by air, talk to your doctor first,” says the CPS.

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…to have some tummy time?
“Baby can have supervised tummy time as soon as she's awake long enough and has periods of alertness,” says Blaichman. Tummy time will help prevent the back of her head from flattening and “it’s good for development because babies get used to lifting their head, turning side to side and using their upper extremities (such as the arm and chest muscles).”

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…to take an over-the-counter cold medicine?
Over-the-counter cold medicines for infants have been removed from retail shelves in Canada and Health Canada has issued an advisory against children under two years of age taking cold medicine. “We don’t recommend them because they are not shown to work in the baby age group and even in childhood. Instead we routinely suggest normal saline or saltwater drops or sprays to clear the nose if congested,” says Blaichman.

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…to take a bath?
For the first week, or until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off, baby can be sponge bathed. Once the area has healed it’s OK to give baby a bath, but remember to never leave her unattended in the tub. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends to “always have at least one hand on your baby when she’s in the bathtub, wading pool or near any standing water.”

*Please note that the information provided should be used a guideline. If you're concerned about a something specific always consult your family doctor or paediatrician.

Originally published in Todaysparent.com, March 2008