Your new baby is due for his or her first checkup within two to four weeks of birth. Frequent checkups during this time will not just give you peace of mind that your baby is okay, but also give you the chance to ask any questions you may have, and seek help for yourself if something is stressing you out.
Remember to bring a list of things you need to ask your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns before the appointment, keep a list ahead of time, writing them down when you think of them. This way, preparing for the outing on the appointed day will be much less stressful!
Also, bring a notebook to write down any instructions the doctor might give you, and a blanket to keep your baby warm when he or she is undressed for the exam.
You won’t have to do too much except answer the doctor’s questions. Your doctor will probably measure your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference and plot them against a chart of the average growth for a baby of the same age. Don’t be alarmed if your baby doesn’t match the “norm”, though. What matters is not the comparison to other babies itself, but just making sure that your baby’s growth is normal from visit to visit.
Next, your doctor will perform a full physical exam on your baby, from head to toes. He will check the baby’s head size, shape, and softness, and give you advice on how to keep your baby’s head evenly shaped.
Then, the doctor will check your baby’s ears to make sure they are infection-free and properly shaped, eyes to ensure they are normal and uncrossed, and mouth to see if your baby has oral thrush. Next in baby’s first checkup is the skin, to see if there are any infections, unusual marks, conditions, and so on. A check of your baby’s hips and legs will ensure they are developing properly and the muscle tone is right, and detect any tenderness or infections in the genitalia. The doctor will also press on your baby’s abdomen. He then listens with a stethoscope to make sure baby’s internal organs are working fine, and there are no abnormalities like an irregular heartbeat, enlarged abdomen, hernias, etc. Each step of the way, your doctor should explain what he is doing and why, and he will let you know if there is any reason to be concerned. He may offer advice — if so, write it down so you don’t forget, and try to think of any follow-up questions about the advice on the spot.
Your doctor will give you a chance to talk about how it’s going and express any questions, frustrations, or concerns about the well-being of either your baby or yourself.
Baby’s first checkup can be a scary thing, but don’t worry! It’s a chance to talk about your concerns and get advice about everything from unusual symptoms to ways to get more sleep or relax.
Your baby’s first checkup is an exciting milestone to prepare for.
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