Well-Child Visits-What You Need to Know

Some mothers record their baby's first-week feeding and sleep patterns and show the healthcare practitioner at this visit. After talking to you about the baby's adjustment at home, your healthcare professional will begin the physical examination. A thorough physical examination includes:

• examining the baby's eyes, ears, nose, throat and mouth,

• listening to the baby's heart to check for murmurs, and listening to the baby's breathing,

• inspecting the baby's skin for rashes, jaundice or birthmarks,

• checking the cord to see if it is drying well or has fallen off and is healing,

• examining the baby's genitalia (if a baby boy was circumcised, healing will be checked),

• feeling the baby's belly for any masses or hernias,

• moving the baby's legs back and forth to make sure there are no hip problems,

• checking the baby's reflexes, such as startling and blinking, grasping, rooting, sucking,

• checking to see if the baby looks at faces, responds to the parent's voice and follows with her eyes.

Your baby should have a hearing screening at this visit if it was not done in the hospital.

If a Hepatitis B vaccine wasn't given in the hospital, your baby's first shot will be given now. You'll receive written information about it and possible side effects before it is given. It's very important that you begin to keep a record of your child's immunizations now. Bring it to each visit.

As the visit wraps up, feel free to ask your practitioner how your baby is doing. You may want to ask about your baby's newborn screen, the blood test done in the hospital before discharge. Your healthcare professional may provide you with information on car seats, safety, putting your baby to sleep on his back and signs of illness. If you receive handouts or pamphlets, take time later to review the information.

Once your appointment is over, you'll check out at the desk. It's a good idea to schedule your baby's next appointment at that time. Your baby will be tired from this outing, so you'll want to plan on going home to get some rest!

Next page: Other First-Year Visits

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	Your Top 10 Questions About Sleep - Answered!
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