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It's time for your baby's first trip to the dentist. Call and make an appointment now. It is important to take care of any dental problems early, before they become serious. The dentist can easily check your baby's teeth while your baby sits on your lap. Your dentist can also give you tips on cleaning your baby's teeth.
Are you up to date on your baby's vaccines?
Is your child up to date on her shots? Vaccines help protect against certain diseases. Your doctor or clinic gives vaccines when you bring your child for regular checkups.
Some vaccines are given in two or three doses. Others are given in one dose. Most are given during the first year of a child's life. Some require boosters later.
The timing is important. Vaccines protect children when they are most at risk. The protection from some vaccines may last for years.
When all children are vaccinated, diseases are less likely to break out in the community. They cannot spread to other people. This makes life safer for everyone. This means children won't miss school, and parents won't miss work.
By law, your child must be up to date on vaccines so she can enroll in child care and public school.
Your baby's shots up to now
During the first year, your child should have had two or three doses of these vaccines:
DTaP. This protects against three diseases:
Diphtheria can clog the throat, making it hard to breathe.
Tetanus starts in a cut or wound. It affects the nerves in a way that stiffens the muscles. Another name for it is "lockjaw."
Pertussis is whooping cough.
Polio. This disease can paralyze the whole body for life.
Hepatitis B. This disease inflames the liver. It can last for months. In some cases, it can result in death.
PCV. This vaccine protects against infections caused by a specific kind of bacteria. These infections can be in the ears, sinuses, lungs, blood and brain. The infections of the lungs (pneumonia), blood and brain (meningitis) can result in death.
Hib. This vaccine protects against bacterial infections such as meningitis.
More shots needed now or soon
When your child is 12 to 18 months old, she should get:
One more dose of all the vaccines above, plus:
MMR. This protects against three diseases:
Measles appears as a red rash. It can make children more at risk for pneumonia and ear infections.
Mumps cause throat glands to swell. It can spread to other organs and make men sterile.
Rubella is a type of measles. Its main threat is to pregnant women. It can cause a baby to be born deformed in some way.
Varicella. This vaccine protects against chickenpox. This disease is known for its itchy sores.
Need to catch up and get shots for your baby?
Your doctor or clinic keeps records of the shots your baby receives. A child who has missed a dose needs to catch up as soon as possible.
Take your child to your doctor or clinic for a 12-month checkup. A nurse will give your child any vaccines that are due. Vaccines can help your child-and the community-stay healthy.
Vaccines are safe
In the early 1900s, childhood diseases were common. Babies died of pneumonia. Schools closed because of measles epidemics. Children were kept from swimming for fear of catching polio.
But today, thanks to vaccines, few children die of these illnesses. In fact, vaccines have nearly wiped out two diseases-smallpox and polio.
Because many childhood diseases are uncommon, some parents think their children don't need vaccines. But if many children go without vaccines, doctors fear a return of the old diseases.
Parents need to understand that vaccines are safe. Before a new vaccine can be given, it goes through at least 10 years of testing. Testing is done by labs and clinics under rules set by the federal government. Yet a vaccine, like any medicine, may involve a risk of harm. But that risk is very small. Taking that risk is better than having a disease.
Get the facts. Talk to your doctor or clinic. Protect your children from disease.
Month By Month has been adapted for Fathers from Healthy Start, Grow Smart, Your Newborn, Washington, D.C. 2002 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Brand New Dad provides general information and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Service.
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