![]() Your insurance card, plenty of diapers, a change of clothes, a burp cloth, a pacifier: Check, check and check. Scheduling the first appointment of the day or the first after lunch often minimizes your wait time. Usually offices are the busiest after school or before work, but this varies from office to office, so ask before you book. But if you can and your pediatrician’s office or health care clinic offers flexibility, schedule your visits to the doctor when your little one is likely to be well-rested, well-fed and at his most cheerful (or least cranky).Īlso key: Find a time of day when the office is least likely to be packed. It’s not always possible to schedule appointments to avoid nap times, mealtimes and fussy times - especially when your infant doesn’t have anything approximating a predictable routine yet. Wondering how you’ll manage to wrangle a wriggly newborn while still remembering all the questions you wanted to ask the pediatrician (not to mention the answers you’ll get)? Two words: Come prepared. Tips on making the most of well-baby visits Also, with your questions already asked and answered, you’ll be able to focus on comforting your little one after the shot (which can of course cause momentary pain). Your doctor may leave this step for last so your baby will be as happy and relaxed as possible during the exam - and you’ll be able to concentrate on your conversation with the doctor. Skin color and tone (and any rashes or birthmarks)īefore wrapping up your well-baby visit, your doctor or a nurse will administer any scheduled vaccines. ![]() Genitals for hernias or undescended testicles (and the doctor may also check the femoral pulse in the groin for a strong, steady beat).Fontanelles (the soft spots on the head).Neck and underarms, gently pressing on lymph glands located there.Hips, legs, arms, back and spine to make sure they’re moving, growing and developing normally.Heartbeat and breathing with a stethoscope.Belly, by gently pressing to feel for anything out of the ordinary.He or she will also complete a physical exam that will check your baby's: Measure your baby’s weight, length and head circumference (and plot those measurements on a growth chart to track baby’s progress).Ask about how you and baby are doing, and about baby’s feeding, sleeping and development.Give you a chance to ask the baby-related questions (don’t forget to write them down!) that you’ve had on your mind since the last visit.Though every well-baby visit may differ slightly, your doctor (or sometimes a nurse) will do most of the following at each appointment: They’re an opportunity to see just how much your little one has grown and developed - and to get reassurance regarding any concerns (from sleep habits to crying) that have come up since your last visit. What you can expect at well-baby visitsĪs your baby’s first year progresses, you’ll probably find yourself looking forward to well-baby visits. And while no parent looks forward to their infant getting a shot, staying on top of the recommended immunizations is one of the best ways to make certain your baby (and the rest of the children in your community) stays healthy. ![]() Yet well-baby visits are worth it - not only for the reassuring report your baby will likely get each time, but also for the comfort of knowing that your baby’s doctor will be able to spot, treat and usually remedy any little problems before they get bigger. And it is.Ģ0 Products on Amazon That Make Traveling With a Baby So Much Easier It may still sound like a lot of trips to the doctor just for wellness, without even counting those inevitable visits for runny noses and upset tummies. While this schedule follows recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), your baby's doctor may vary it.
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