Your baby’s pediatrician will get involved from the beginning of the child’s life. From the time your baby is a few days old, you should stop by the pediatrician’s office for a visit. Over the next few weeks and months, the doctor should become familiar with your baby. You can learn helpful tips to caring for your baby and have peace of mind that your precious little one is healthy and well.
A trip to the doctor’s office is not something a person should put off for anyone, especially for their baby. A baby’s growth and development are critical in the early parts of life. This young child depends fully on parents and other caregivers. The pediatrician may examine the baby a day or two after birth in the hospital. Three to five days later, parents should take the baby into the doctor’s office for a checkup. Subsequent appointments should occur at two weeks, four to six weeks, two months, six months and one year.
Most babies will lose some weight from birth until the time of the first doctor’s appointment a few days later. The pediatrician will weigh the baby to see how far from the birth weight the child is. If the gap concerns the doctor, adjustments may be made to the baby’s feeding schedule or method of feeding. The doctor will also measure the baby’s length and head circumference.
The pediatrician will also spend some time listening to the baby’s heart. The doctor will also pay attention to any abnormalities with the heartbeat. The doctor will look at the heart rate, measure the pulse and monitor the child’s oxygen level.
The first few appointments with the pediatrician will include these important areas. The doctor wants to make sure the young child has proper function and does not have infections or growths here. A hearing test may occur at this time, though it often takes place in the hospital a day or two after birth.
After a hands-on examination, the doctor will speak to the baby’s caregivers. The doctor will find out how well the baby is eating — how often and how much at each feeding. The parents and pediatrician will discuss how effectively the baby is sleeping and how many times a day the baby soils their diaper. This is a good time for the doctor to talk about the proper ways to lay the baby down in the crib. The parents can also share concerns and ask any questions about caring for the child.
Like any good parent or caregiver, you want to start your baby off on the right foot. Never miss these early visits with the pediatrician. It is helpful to know what to expect from these visits. The doctor will thoroughly examine the baby so you can feel good about the health and wellness of your child. You should also feel comfortable making an appointment anytime you are worried about your child’s well-being.
Get more information about TKZ Pediatrics in Zachary at https://www.tkzpediatrics.com.
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