27 Jul What to Expect for My Baby’s First Doctor Appointment
Have you scheduled your baby’s first doctor’s appointment? In that case, you need to set some reasonable expectations. Here’s a rundown of how you can expect things to go.
How will the doctor examine my baby?
You’ll probably take your bundle of joy for their first doctor’s visit when they’re about four days old. On the first visit, you can expect a nurse to check your baby’s weight. This helps doctors assess whether your baby has lost or gained weight. Note that losing a little bit of weight after birth is common.
The nurse or doctor will check the baby’s genital area, eyes, skin, and head to find rashes. They’ll make some loud noises to see if your baby responds. Doctors tend to ask how your baby is sleeping and feeding. They’ll move forward to discuss the baby’s digestion and other related things. You can expect a genitalia checkup as well.
Why Your Baby Checkup is Important?
Visiting a pediatrician in the few days after your baby is born is important to identify health issues at early stages. This helps doctors address issues before they get out of hand. Besides that, the appointment is a way for doctors to guide you on healthy practices. Your doctor might suggest a few important things that can help increase your baby’s weight.
How you can prepare for an Appointment?
Before the day of your baby’s doctor’s appointment, it’s best to prepare. That means being aware of certain information to answer the doctor’s questions and preparing a bag with the essentials to avoid inconvenience.
- Know your and your spouse’s medical history, as a doctor will ask you some related questions
- Write down all your concerns and questions on paper so that you don’t forget them during the appointment
- Go to the doctor early, as you might need to sign several papers
- Prepare a baby bag by adding all your essentials such as diapers, a few clothes, milk bottles, etc.
Will My Doctor Give Parenting Tips During the Appointment?
Yes, your doctor will provide essential tips that help you take care of your baby. They’ll also bust some myths and answer any questions you may have. They’ll tell you to monitor your baby’s feeding so you can expect to feed around 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Also, avoid giving your baby regular baths and sleep with your baby at night.
When Should You Schedule Your Next Appointment?
Well, you need to set half a dozen more appointments for your baby. After the first visit, you can schedule a visit for the following month, then when they’re 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months old. While it may be challenging for you, frequent appointments can help ensure that your baby grows healthily.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, you can expect a thorough checkup of your baby in the first appointment. Besides providing some information, you can ask plenty of baby-related questions to address your concerns.