The first days of your baby’s life will be packed with a lot of magical milestones. This comes with their first giggles and coos. One of the greatest tasks you will be faced with is of taking care of your baby’s wellness. You will be the only protection they will have. About 93% of babies have seen a doctor in the last year and this will play a huge role in helping you take care of your baby’s health needs. Here are the top three things you need to know about newborn care visits.
Baby Measurements
A baby wellness visit usually begins with their measurements. During the measuring process, you need to undress them so they can be placed on an infant scale. The doctor will measure your baby’s length by placing them on a flat surface and stretching their legs out. A special type of tape is then used to measure the head circumference of the baby. These measurements are plotted on a growth chart to show how a baby’s growth curve is made. This ultimately determines the curve that can be used to assess whether the baby is growing normally or not. This data is not only used for the baby’s chart but also used to compare the growth rate with other children of the same age.
Physical Examination
The physical examination is another important procedure during newborn care exams. The doctor will inspect the head of the child. Usually, they pay more focus to the soft spots (fontanels) on your baby’s head. The doctor will also inspect the ears. This is done using an instrument called an otoscope. The instrument is used to check for fluid on infection in the ears of the baby. The doctor can also check to see if the baby’s hearing is fine.
The doctor also checks the baby’s mouth, skin, heart, lungs, genitalia, and abdomen during the physical exam. Lastly, the doctor will then assess the baby’s development. This is mainly done by asking you questions. For instance, you can expect to answer questions like whether the baby turns toward sights or sounds. The doctor can also ask if the baby smiles and whether they try to imitate the sounds you make. Developmental questions are age-related, and they differ with children at different stages of development.
Time to talk
At the end of the newborn care appointment, the doctor will likely ask how things are generally going. Here you may need to describe a typical day with your baby. For instance, how many hours does the baby sleep at night and during the day? They may also need to know how active the baby is.
It’s also important to ask questions during a baby wellness exam. You can even write down questions when you are at home, so you don’t forget when you visit the doctor. Also, remember to take your own health into consideration. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, you should let the doctor know as well.
