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Baby's Health

Babies don’t come with instructions, but you have plenty of support from our team. Below are helpful tips to give your baby the best start in life. And remember, you know your baby best! Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. It’s the little moments now that make the big moments possible.

A baby born before 37 weeks is considered a premature birth. Premature babies are often smaller than full-term babies and may be more likely to get sick. If your baby is born premature, they will likely need extra care once at home.

After taking your premature baby home:

  • Wash your hands frequently. Insist others around your baby do the same.
  • Keep your baby away from sick family and friends. Don’t take your baby around large crowds of people.
  • Make sure your baby gets regular checkups and immunizations.

Knowing what to expect with a premature baby can ensure you give them the best start in life. Find more information on our premature babies webpage.

Breastfeeding helps babies get the best start in life and can provide benefits for mom as well.

Breastfeeding can:

  • Lower the risk of your baby developing asthma and obesity.
  • Help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • Provide the best source of nutrition and share antibodies that help babies develop strong immune systems.

For moms, breastfeeding can help you recover more quickly from childbirth and reduce your risk of ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Breastfeeding can be both rewarding and challenging, but our team is here to help. Find more resources on our breastfeeding FAQ webpage or call your local county health department.

It’s important to make sure your baby gets their recommended vaccinations to protect them from severe illnesses and hospitalization. Visit our childhood immunization webpage for more information about childhood vaccinations. You can also talk to your medical provider for additional guidance.

One of the leading causes of death in babies during their first year of life is sleep-related. The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of SIDS or accidental suffocation.

Create a safe sleep environment:

  • Place baby on their back.
  • Share your room, not your bed. Make sure baby is in their own sleep space.
  • Ensure there is a firm mattress in the crib or bassinet.
  • Keep sights and sounds low, and temperature between 68-72 degrees.
  • Make sure baby is ALONE in the crib or bassinet – nothing but the baby and a pacifier.
  • Ensure your baby is sleeping in a non-smoking environment.

Swaddling is safe when done correctly and before baby can roll over on their own but weighted swaddles and sleepers should be avoided.

And remember, babies often don’t sleep well at first. Building a circle of helpers to step in when you need a break and establishing bedtime routines can help.

Visit our safe sleep webpage for more information and resources.

There is no safe level of lead in the body. Lead is a hazardous substance that can get into the body by swallowing or inhaling lead-contaminated dust or materials. Young children are most vulnerable to the effects of lead because their bodies absorb a greater amount of it as they quickly grow and develop.

Even if you think your child isn’t at risk, you should get them tested at least once before their sixth birthday. Contact your healthcare provider or visit a local county health department to find out how to get your child tested.

Every baby born in Oklahoma is required to have a blood test in the first week of life. The test requires a small amount of blood to be collected from a baby’s heel.

The blood test helps to find babies with certain hidden disorders. Babies with these disorders often appear healthy at birth. This makes it difficult for doctors to know if a baby has one of the hidden disorders without a blood test.

Failure to treat a baby who has one of these disorders within the first month of life can lead to cognitive or intellectual disabilities, severe illness or death.

Learn more about the newborn screening process.

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