Another exciting period is now upon us in your baby's life. He/she should now be more sociable. At this age, developmentally he/she should laugh aloud, recognize his/her parents, and coo aloud. The baby's motor skills should soon include grasping objects, reaching out for objects, and most impressive of all, rolling over from front to back, first

The feedings also will change over the next 2 months. The breast milk and/or formula will remain the milk of choice. The amount or frequency will gradually decrease as solids are introduced. The big change over the next 2 months will be the addition of solids. The Academy of Pediatrics feels that solids should be begun at some time over the next 2 months. If your baby seems to be satisfied, you may wait up to 2 more months to begin solids. We feel you can add a new food every third day and you may choose from the cereals, fruits, and vegetables. So for example, you may give rice cereal twice a day for 3 days. Then you may add a second food, bananas for example. You would give bananas and rice cereal twice a day for 3 days. Next, you may now choose carrots and perhaps feed rice cereal and bananas in the morning and bananas (or cereal) with carrots in the evening. You can continue to add a new food every third day, as above. The baby may have 2 meals per day and 2 items per meal. At approximately 5 1/2 months, he/she may begin meats and 3 meals per day. You may also introduce juices at this point, if you haven't yet done so.

For safety at this age, the baby's rolling over may become a problem. Be sure not to permit him/her to lie alone at any height, as he/she may fall. Also, as always, he/she should continue to ride in his/her car seat, properly seat belted when traveling.

This is also an interesting age as now the baby may begin to get more upset when you lay him/her down or walk away. If this occurs, realize you also have things to do. The baby must learn this. In this respect, we do not feel it is appropriate to let him/her cry if you are sitting and nothing else to do. On the other hand, when work needs to be done, the baby must learn to entertain himself/herself This may be accomplished with a baby swing or playpen. If he/ she still cries, let him/her know you are still there by saying hello, but finish your work.

In respect to night waking, if this is still present, realize you are not alone, but please bring it up as a point of discussion so we can work out a plan of attack.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR INJURIES - 4 MONTHS

CHOKING/ASPIRATION/SUFFOCATION

1. Learn what to do when a child chokes.
2. Use a crib with slat spacing of not more than 2 3/8 inches and a snug-fitting mattress.
3. Remove hanging mobiles or toys before baby can reach them.
4. Allow no cords near crib or around neck.
5. Keep plastic bags, balloons, and baby powders out of reach.
6. Keep sides of mesh playpens up.
7. Use only unbreakable toys without sharp edges or small parts that can come loose.
8. Avoid foods on which child chokes easily (hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chewing gum, and hard fruits and vegetables).

FIRES AND BURNS

1. Never eat, drink, or carry anything hot near or while holding a baby or child.
2. Turn down water heater so water from the hot water tap is no more than 120 degrees.
3. Develop and practice a fire escape plan.
4. Install and maintain smoke detectors.
5. Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
6. Treat a burn immediately with cold water, and then call your doctor.
7. Check formula, food, and drink temperatures carefully.
8. Don't smoke near the baby.
9. Keep hot foods and liquids out of reach.
10. Put shock stops in unused electrical outlets; put cords out of reach.
11. Keep hot appliances and cords out of reach.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

1. Never leave a child unattended in car.
2. Parents should wear their seat belts.
3. Correctly use an approved car safety seat in the infant position.

DROWNING

1. Make sure that an adult bathes the baby.

FALLS

1. Never step away when the baby is on a high surface.
2. Keep crib sides up.
3. If infant seat is used out of car, place it on the floor.
4. Use playpen with sides locked in up position as an "island of safety".
5. Avoid using walkers.
6. Lock doors to dangerous areas like the basement and garage.

ANIMAL BITES

1. Don't leave a child alone with pets.