Whether a woman has given birth to her first baby or has been a mother before, one thing that is always important in the life of a newborn is how well the mother cares for the baby. One of the best ways to make sure a baby stays healthy is to keep up with your baby’s health checkups with a pediatrician.
shortly after birth
Once the baby is born and the family has left the hospital to go home, the first visit to the doctor will take place within the first two weeks of the newborn’s life. This is part of a wellness checkup, just to make sure the baby is eating well, beginning to gain weight, and for new mothers, this is the perfect opportunity to discuss any concerns or problems with the doctor.
The baby will be weighed and measured, and his or her temperature will be taken, and the doctor may also ask how the baby sleeps and eats.
Every two months or so
After the initial visit, the doctor may schedule additional visits every two to three months. This is to monitor the baby’s growth and development, as well as to help the mother with medical issues such as immunizations, any allergies they may suspect the baby may be developing, or generally to look after the baby’s overall health and well-being. .
New mothers often have many questions and concerns, and such a doctor’s visit is a good way to help ease fears and get questions answered. The doctor will continue to measure the baby’s growth and weight, and will discuss developmental milestones with the baby’s mother.
scheduled vaccinations
Many babies get their first shots at a well-child checkup, and it’s important to make sure babies get the shots they may need. This can also be a good time for a baby to get a flu shot during cold and flu season, as well as to start building a relationship with the pediatrician. Should any abnormalities occur or develop, a well-baby visit is a good way to monitor the situation or find solutions to small problems before they become serious.
Important milestones in development
Many well-baby appointments are a good way to monitor your baby’s progress and development with everything from weight gain to height. The doctor may also check the baby’s reflexes, vision, and hearing to make sure he or she is developing well, as well as check for milestones such as sitting upright, crawling, beginning to walk, and beginning to talk. These important developments are also a good time for parents to talk to their doctor about any abnormalities they have noticed.
