The fourth trimester for baby

Well-child checkups

The pediatrician gave your baby a full exam in the hospital. Now that your baby is home, it is important to keep every well-child checkup appointment to make sure he or she is developing and growing in a healthy way.

Get rewarded for keeping up with your baby’s well-child checkups*

With our Healthy Rewards Program, get a $100 reward card after your baby has completed 6 well-child checkups by the age of 15 months, and an additional $50 reward card when your child completes 2 or more well-child checkups between 15 to 30 months. For more information, click here.

Swaddling and swaying

To recreate the same sense of safety your baby felt in the womb, we recommend swaddling and swaying from side to side when you put (or lay) your baby down to sleep.

Skin-to-skin contact

You did this as soon as you gave birth, and we recommend keeping this close contact after you have returned home with your baby. Your touch and smell will comfort your newborn, and he or she will be able to hear the familiar sound of your heartbeat!

Safe sleep

To avoid dangers, like choking or suffocation, make sure your baby sleeps on his or her back, on the flat, firm surface of his or her own bassinet or crib, at all times. For these and more safe sleep recommendations, click here.

Feeding

Your baby did not have a feeding schedule while he or she was in your womb. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, if your baby is showing signs of hunger, don’t wait to feed him or her. For more information, click here.

Bath time

Floating in the water is like being in the womb, so a warm bath can be a relaxing experience for newborns. It’s also a great way for you to bond, talk and sing to your baby.

Car seat safety

Car seats protect your children while they are in the car. All babies should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. To learn about how to correctly install a car seat, the different positions and sizes of car seats based on children’s ages, and more, click here.