You’ve got your baby home and are settling into your new, unpredictable routine, and now it’s time for your baby’s first pediatric visit! You might be wondering what will happen during your baby’s visit to the doctor and if there’s anything you should do to prepare. Your newborn will have many more pediatrician visits in the future, each one an important part of ensuring your baby’s health and ongoing development.
We have all the information you need to help you prepare for your baby’s first doctor visit. Here’s everything you can expect, from how many visits they should have to what to bring and what will happen during that initial pediatrician visit!
Recommended Doctor’s Visits in the First Year
Your baby’s first pediatric visit should happen three to five days after birth. Newborns change rapidly, and parents often have questions during those first few days and months. So, keeping track of your baby’s eating, diapering, sleeping, and attending all recommended well-child visits are essential to newborn health.
Recommended Pediatric Checkups from Birth to 12 Months
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following checkups for babies in the first year.
- The first-week visit (3 to 5 days old)
- One month old
- Two months old
- Four months old
- Six months old
- Nine months old
- Twelve months old
Recommended Well-Child Visit Schedule Years 1 – 3
After your baby’s first birthday, the AAP recommends the following visits until age three.
- 15 months old
- 18 months old
- 24 months (2 years)
- 30 months (2 ½ years)
- 36 months (3 years)
After age three, it is recommended that your child have an annual well-child pediatrician visit.
What to Expect During and How to Prepare for Your Baby’s First Doctor Visit
Feeling a little nervous about your baby’s first doctor appointment is natural. After all, it might be your first time taking them out of the house! Knowing what to expect can help alleviate your nerves and make you feel more prepared.
What to Expect
When you arrive at the office, be prepared to complete paperwork about your and your baby’s health. Some offices allow you to do this electronically or send you the paperwork beforehand so you can fill it out at home.
Initially, your baby will likely be seen by a nurse or medical assistant. They will probably weigh and measure your baby’s length, measure their head circumference, and ask you about any general concerns you have about your baby.
The pediatrician will perform a thorough exam of your baby. They will check for a broken collarbone (some babies break their clavicle during birth) and check their head for soft spots called fontanel. Fontanel are two soft spots on your baby’s head that allow for rapid growth during the next two years.
The doctor will also check your baby’s hips for dysplasia, reflexes, pulse, and genitalia. Your baby’s pediatrician will likely talk you through each step of the exam as it’s happening, but don’t be shy about asking questions if you don’t understand what something is or why they are checking something specific!
After the exam, the pediatrician will ask you how much your baby eats and the frequency and consistency of bladder and bowel movements. They will also go over the recommended vaccination and visit schedule. Lastly, they will ask about how you are feeling and answer any questions you may have.
Newborn Vaccines
Newborns are born with some immunity thanks to their mothers, and those who breastfeed receive additional health benefits. However, vaccines are still a crucial part of your baby’s health, and it is advisable to follow the recommended schedule by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Birth: Hepatitis B, RSV
- 2 months: Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, Pneumococcal, Polio
- 4 months: Rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, Pneumococcal, Polio
- 6-12 months: Hepatitis B (6-18 months), Rotavirus (depends on the brand of vaccine used) RSV, DTaP, Hib (depends on the brand of vaccine used), Pneumococcal, Polio (6-18 months), COVID-19, Influenza
- 12-18 months: MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A, DTap, Hib, Pneumococcal, COVID-19, Influenza
Speak with your pediatrician about the schedule they plan to use. Some doses are administered at different times depending on when the previous dose was administered, so only some vaccinations listed above may be given at the same appointment. Some vaccines, like the flu, have multiple doses, up to four or five, or are given annually.
How to Prepare
To prepare for your first and subsequent pediatrician visits, use the Baby Daybook tracker to record essential information about your baby’s routine. For example, when and how long they sleep, when and how long they eat, and diaper changes. Keeping track of these details can help your pediatrician better understand your baby’s health.
By taking these steps, you’ll feel more confident and organized, making the experience of preparing for your baby’s first doctor visit and future checkups much easier.
You can also use the Development Tracker to record information provided by the pediatrician, such as weight and height, for your records at home.
Don’t be surprised if your baby loses some weight in the first few days. It is usual for newborns to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week; they will quickly put it back on!
What To Bring
You’ll also need to bring a few things to the first and probably future visits.
- Your insurance card
- Photo ID
- Paperwork (if you filled it out at home)
- A diaper bag with a spare diaper or two, wipes, and cream
- A bottle and milk or formula (if using)
- Change of clothes for baby
- Pacifier (if using)
- A support person like your partner, a friend, or your parent
- A list of any questions or concerns you have
Dress your baby in an easy-to-remove onesie or outfit. A onesie and blanket for the car ride should be adequate if the weather is warm enough. Your baby will have to strip down to their diaper for most of the examination, so the fewer clothes, the better!
Questions for the Doctor
Keep a list of any questions or concerns in the Baby Daybook app. Sometimes, concerns pop up at odd times, like a 2 AM feeding; the app is an easy way to keep all your info in one easy-to-access spot.
Questions you might want to ask include:
- What should I expect in the coming days and weeks?
- How many wet diapers should they be having?
- If my baby develops a fever, what should I do?
- How can I soothe my baby when upset?
- What should their stools look like?
- Can you recommend a lactation consultant?
- When should I schedule their next visit?
Expect your baby’s first visit to take 25-30 minutes from start to finish. So keep that in mind, along with their feeding schedule, when planning the appointment time.
Takeaway
Your baby’s first doctor’s appointment may bring about some anxiety, but planning and knowing what to expect will prepare you for the visit. Using the Baby Daybook app is one way to ensure you’re prepared for all your baby’s visits! Remember to pack lightly, but bring essentials, have any questions noted or written down, and don’t be shy about voicing any concerns! Taking your baby to their visit check-up and following the recommended well-child schedule is the first step in ensuring your baby’s development and growth stay on track!
Sources
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2022). Developmental Dislocation (Dysplasia) of the Hip (DDH). orthoinfo.aaos.org [accessed July 2024]
American Academy of Pediatrics (2024). AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits. www.healthychildren.org [accessed July 2024]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. www.cdc.gov [accessed July 2024]
