What it is
Well-baby visits are where the baby is weighed, measured, and looked over, and where you get to ask. The AAP's schedule starts within a day or two of leaving the hospital, usually at three to five days old. Then two weeks, one month, two months, four, six, nine, and twelve months. Many practices offer a free meet-and-greet in pregnancy so you can choose before the birth.
What's typical
The first visit is mostly weight, jaundice, feeding, and the cord. The doctor checks hips, eyes, heart, soft spot, and reflexes, and asks about feeding and poop. You will be asked how you are feeling. The AAP asks pediatricians to screen mothers for depression at the one, two, four, and six month visits.
What's known
Bright Futures, the AAP's guide for these visits, sets what gets checked at each age. The newborn screen, hearing test, and heart oxygen check from the hospital are followed up here if anything was off.
What helps
- Keep a running note on your phone for questions.
- Bring the diaper tally and the hospital discharge papers to the first visit.
- Ask for the nurse line number and how to reach someone after hours.
When to call someone
- Nownever wait for a scheduled visit if the baby has a fever under three months, is breathing hard, or will not wake to feed.
- Todayyou leave a visit with a worry no one answered, or the weight was down and no plan was made.
- At your next visiteverything else. Spit-up, hiccups, rashes, sleep, your own mood.
Who helps
Tools: My Birth Team · Birthworker Directory
Related
- Newborn weight: the early drop and regainingBaby Basics
- Newborn jaundiceBaby Basics
- When to call the pediatrician (and when to go in)Baby Basics
- Vaccines: the baby's schedule and who around the babyBaby Basics
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Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Bright Futures periodicity schedule
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Your baby's first well-child visit
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