How Often Should Babies See a Pediatrician?

Being a new parent can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There’s a lot of information that you have to take in and remember, especially if this is your first child. Medical care provided by a newborn care physician is extremely important to ensure your new baby is healthy and hits their developmental milestones. Here’s some information that you need to know in regards to how often babies should see their pediatrician.

Recommendations Based on Age

The American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, has recommendations as to when your new baby should be seen by a newborn care physician based on their age. They currently recommend that newborns be seen by the pediatrician in the hospital, after birth. From there, a baby should be seen approximately three to seven days after birth in order to check the baby’s weight and ensure the baby is healthy. After that, babies need checkups at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months.

Additional Appointments as Needed After Birth

In addition to appointments based on age, your baby may need to see their doctor more frequently if they are born with any conditions at birth or if they develop issues immediately after being born. According to Mayo Clinic, babies born prior to 38 weeks of gestation are especially prone to jaundice. Babies born with cleft palettes, heart irregularities, or a possible infection due to inhaling meconium at birth also need more care.

When Signs of Illnesses Are Present

Lastly, your infant should see their pediatrician if they are showing signs of illness. This includes having a fever, being congested, having a runny nose or cough for longer than three to five days, and if your baby is having trouble sleeping. If your baby has a cold, you can call your pediatrician’s office to learn more about the signs that indicate whether your child needs to be treated or whether you should wait it out while keeping your baby comfortable.

There are set guidelines for how often a baby should see a newborn care physician. In addition to these guidelines, your child may need to see their pediatrician more often if there were health concerns immediately after a baby was born, if a child shows signs of illness, or if developmental milestones aren’t being met. If you’re looking for a newborn care physician for your child, the team at Pediatrix is currently accepting new patients. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.

Posted: 10/20/23