CAR SEAT: Please purchase this item prior to the child's birth! This way you will know how to use it, and be intimately familiar with it. Children under 20 lbs. should be placed facing rearward in the backseat, preferably in the center. They are to remain as such by law in Connecticut until 1 year of age. Please refer to the ratings in various consumer magazines, as well as word of mouth, in selecting the best seat for your vehicle. When the child attains a weight of 20 lbs. and 1 year of age, he/she may be placed facing forward. As early as 22 lbs., he/she can be placed in a combination booster/toddler seat. Toddlers are to remain in a booster seat until they are 60 lbs. THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT MANDATES THAT ALL CHILDREN BE PLACED IN SOME FORM OF RESTRAINT UNTIL THE AGE OF 6 AND A WEIGHT OF 60 POUNDS IS ATTAINED. It is not unusual to continue beyond the age of six depending on the child's size, and the way the vehicle harness fits the child. LEAD SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE:   PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT MANDATES THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THEIR LEAD CHECKED AT 1,2, AND/OR 3 YEARS OF AGE.      Does your child... * Live in or regularly visit a house or facility (daycare center) with peeling, or chipping paint built before 1970? * Live in or visit a facility built before 1970 undergoing renovation? * Have a brother or sister, housemate, or playmate with confirmed lead poisening? * Live with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead? * Live near an active lead smelter, battery recycling plant, or industrial plant? * Does your child live near a heavily traveled major highway where soil and dust may be contaminated with lead? * Has your child been given home remedies? Home remedies containing lead include: azarcon (also known as rueda, coral, Maria Luisa, alarcon, or liga), albayalde, greta, pay-loo-ah, ghasard, bala, goli, kandu, and kohl. RISK FACTOR QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TUBERCULOSIS: * Have you or children been in contact with someone who has TB, or a positive skin test for TB? * Is there a family history of TB? * Have you or your children travelled to an area that has a lot of TB patients (Asia, Africa, India, Middle East, Latin America, or the Caribbean? Does anybody from these areas live with you? * Do any of your friends or relatives have HIV or AIDS? * Have you or your children been exposed to: Nursing home patients? Someone who has been in jail within the past 5 years? Homeless people? Drug abusers?

RECOMMENDED WELL CHILD VISITS: AT BIRTH (In the hospital) 3-5 DAYS (IF BREASTFEEDING) 1-2 WEEKS 2 MONTHS 4 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 9 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 15 MONTHS 18 MONTHS 2 YEARS EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER. **************************** VACCINATIONS: THIS PRACTICE FEELS THAT A PARENT'S CHOICE TO VACCINATE A CHILD NOT ONLY ENTAILS A PERSONAL DECISION, BUT ALSO A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN PROTECTING ALL OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEREFORE WE ARE STRONG SUPPORTERS OF THE RECOMMENDED VACCINE SCHEDULE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS. RECOMMENDATIONS: BIRTH (IN HOSPITAL): HEPATITIS B 1 2 MONTHS: DPT 1, IPV 1, HEP B 2, HIB 1, PCV1, R1 4 MONTHS: DPT 2, IPV 2, HEP B 3, HIB 2, PCV 2, R2 6 MONTHS: DPT 3, IPV 3, HEP B 4, HIB 3, PCV 3, R3 9 MONTHS: NONE 12 MONTHS: PCV 4, MMR 1/VARIVAX 1 15 MONTHS:  HIB 4 18 MONTHS: DPT 4, HEPATITIS A 1  2 YEARS: HEPATITIS A 2  5 YEARS: DPT 5, IPV 4, MMR 2/VARIVAX 2 11-12 YEARS: TDAP (TETANUS AND PERTUSSUS) INFLUENZA: YEARLY, AS EARLY AS 6 MONTHS (TWO SHOTS SEPARATED BY 1 MONTH APART NEEDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS WITH FIRST YEAR OF ADMINISTRATION.). TETANUS: EVERY 9-10 YEARS COMMENCING @ 11-12 YEARS (TDAP @ 11-12 YEARS AS ABOVE) MENNINGOCOCCAL VACCINE: RECOMMENDED NO LATER THAN COLLEGE PHYSICAL. HPV (GARDASIL) VACCINE RECOMMENDED FOR FEMALES AGED 9 YEARS TO 26 YEARS PER PARENTS' REQUEST.   N.B: DPT=DIPTHERIA/PERTUSSUS/TETANUS; IPV=INACTIVATED POLIO VACCINE; HIB=HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZA B; PCV=PNEUMOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE; R=ROTAVIRUS VACCINE; MMR=MEASLES,MUMPS,RUBELLA; VARIVAX=CHICKEN POX VACCINE. DTAP=DIPTHERIA/ADOLESCENT PERTUSSUS/TETANUS (REPLACES CONVENTIONAL TETANUS SHOT OF THE PAST). ******************************* ITEMS TO KEEP IN THE MEDICINE CABINET: *Rectal thermometer - Preferable to an ear thermometer, especially in young babies, as it is a more accurate measure of the core temperature. *Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Fevernol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Every child will get fever, and these fever reducers will make them (and you) weather the storm better. Ibuprofen also works particularly well for teething and higher fevers. Tylenol works particularly well for unanticipated fevers from vaccinations. *Alcohol (isopropyl): Helps with disinfecting and drying the umbilical cord in newborns. *Moisturizing Cream (Eucerin, Moisturel, Aveeno): Every baby gets dry skin. The thicker the cream, the less evaporation from the skin, the less you have to apply it. *Diaper Cream (Triple Paste, Desitin, Balmex, A&D): Helps provide a barrier to friction and wetness associated with wearing a diaper. *Corn Starch Powder: Absorbs moisture within the diaper. AVOID TALCUM BASED POWDERS (can cause lung inflammation). *Cool Mist Vaporizer: Helpful in thinning out thick secretions and nasal congestion. ********************************

SAFETY ITEMS: Smoke Detectors Fire Extinguishers Safety Gates Drawer Locks Door Safety Latches Removal of Harmful Chemicals (From Toddler Accessible Sites) Emergency Phone Log (Pediatric Office, Hospital, Poison Control, Police, Ambulance)

SUGGESTED DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS: * THE AAP RECOMMENDS EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING UNTIL 6 MONTHS, AND CONTINUING TO NURSE INTERMITTANTLY UNTIL 1 YEAR OF AGE. WE CONCUR, BUT ALSO REALIZE THAT ALL MOTHERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THIS RECOMMENDATION. WE WILL INDIVIDUALIZE YOUR REGIMEN (POSSIBLY ALL FORMULA FEEDING) BASED ON YOUR NEEDS AND SITUATION. * BABIES CONTINUE TO TAKE FORMULA AND/OR BREAST MILK UNTIL 1 YEAR OF AGE (DUE TO THE IRON CONTENT IN BOTH).     * EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED SHOULD RECEIVE 400 IU OF VITAMIN D A DAY AS A SUPPLEMENT. * WHOLE OR 2% MILK BECOMES THE PRIMARY LIQUID  AFTER 1 YEAR OF AGE (MILK DOES NOT CONTAIN IRON, ONLY CALCIUM AND FAT).  IN ADDITION, NO MORE THAT 15 OUNCES OF MILK A DAY ARE RECOMMENDED BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF IRON (POSSIBLY LEADING TO ANEMIA).      * SOLIDS ARE INTRODUCED @ 4 MONTHS. THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS TO START WITH A SMALL AMOUNT (1-2 TEASPOONS) GIVEN TWICE DAILY AND PROGRESS OVER THE COURSE OF 2-3 DAYS TO AN "AD-LIB" AMOUNT (AS MUCH AS THE BABY WILL TAKE @ A SITTING). THE THIRD SOLID MEAL IS ADDED AROUND 6 MONTHS. ORDER OF SOLIDS PRESENTATION: RICE, OAT, BARLEY CEREAL @ 4 MONTHS FRUITS, STAGE 1 OR 2 CONCOMITTANTLY WITH CEREAL OR A WEEK OR TWO AFTER CEREAL PRESENTATION. NON-GREEN VEGETABLES AROUND 5 MONTHS. GREEN VEGETABLES AROUND 6 MONTHS. MEATS AFTER 6 MONTHS. TEETHING BISCUITS @ 6 MONTHS. TABLE FOODS AFTER 7 MONTHS.

PERTINENT STATE AGENCY PHONE NUMBERS: CONNECTICUT EPA: 860-424-3000 CONNECTICUT OSHA: 860-566-4550 CONNECTICUT DEPT. OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH): 860-509-8000 CONNECTICUT POISON CONTROL CENTER HOTLINE: 1-800-222-1222