Planning Your Family
Planning Your Family
Immunizations
Immunizations (also known as shots) protect you and your family from diseases like the flu, measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough—just to name a few. Some shots must be given at certain times. Talk to your doctor about what immunizations you and your child need and which shots to expect at your child’s checkups.
Take Small Steps to a Healthier You
- Choose a variety of foods every day to get a balanced diet.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Choose fat-free or 1% milk.
- Make at least half your grains whole grains.
Folic Acid
Getting enough folic acid daily helps prevent birth defects in your baby. You should get 400mcg of folic acid every day from foods and/or vitamins in addition to eating a healthy diet. Good sources of folic acid include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruits, orange juice and peanuts. Foods with added folic acid include some cereals (check the label), rice, pasta and bread.
Stay Smoke, Alcohol and Drug Free
Babies and children who are around secondhand smoke have more colds, coughs and earaches. To avoid this, keep your baby away from tobacco and marijuana smoke.
Baby Blues
Hormonal changes after delivery and lack of sleep are possible causes of the “baby blues.” Symptoms may include crying easily, trouble sleeping, feeling overwhelmed, irritable and anxious. The baby blues can come and go the first few days after delivery and usually don’t last longer than a week. It is important to share your feelings with family, friends and your health care professional during this time and get plenty of rest.