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You should always seek medical advice from a physician or other qualified health provider for any questions you may have. Any information found in this post, on this blog, and shared on any resources created by Mom Wife and Everyday Life is based on my personal experience as a mom and should not be taken as professional advice. The contents of this website are for general informational purposes.
Going to the doctor may be an exciting event or one you have always dreaded. Taking your baby for their first doctor appointment is a huge milestone.
This time it is different! Instead of being the one anxious about getting the shot you are now the parent. You get to dread watching your little one be the one getting the shot.
It is such a shift. You are the parent at the pediatrician.
Isn’t it crazy you are a parent? Congratulations!
This may be your first time taking your baby out of the house! How exciting!
How to Prepare for the Doctor Visit
To prepare for this first appointment, you need to start tracking both feedings and diapers.
Create a chart or list to keep up with how often your baby eats. If your baby is fed via the bottle track how many ounces they consume during those feedings. Wet and dirty diapers should be made note of as well. Your hospital may send you home with handouts for this.
Bring this information to share with your pediatrician. It is important. It helps give your pediatrician a picture of what is happening at home.
The other major way for you to prepare for your first doctor visit is to create a list of questions you may have. Keep a running note as things come up.
These two things are your homework essentially. Have them ready to go with you.
If you need help with tracking you can download my free PDFs.
What to Take to the Doctor
You should take a few key things with you. First off, if this is your first time visiting this office you need to make sure you have your ID and insurance information.
Bring you baby into the office in some kind of carrier. It could be the infant car seat, a stroller, or a wearable carrier. This makes the check-in process easier because you have your hands available for any paperwork. The infant car seat worked just fine for me.
Bring your diaper bag as well. Most quick trips don’t require too much, but you will need a clean diaper. When they weigh your baby they will want them in a dry diaper. If you want a quick resource check out my article A New Parent’s Guide to Packing the Perfect Diaper Bag?: Tips and Tricks.
You should come prepared with the list or chart of how often and how much your baby is eating. As mentioned before this is part of your prep work for the appointment. Don’t forget to include the dirty diaper tracking as well.
This information helps your doctor determine what is happening, especially if your baby is struggling to gain weight. They will ask you for this information!
Pro-Tip: My biggest tip is to have a list of questions you want to ask your doctor. This list should not be on your phone but rather written out on paper.
You should hand it over to your doctor and let them address your questions. The reason for this is your hands are going to be full with your baby. If you want those questions answered just hand them over. This will continue to be helpful at future appointments when your baby is even more of a wiggle worm.
What to Expect at the Pediatrician
You likely remember all the usual stuff that happens at any doctor’s check-up. They will check your baby’s eyes, ears, and muscle tone. They will have a listen with their stethoscope and see that your baby’s heart and lungs are doing well.
At this first appointment, you should expect them to take a look at the umbilical cord stump to see if it is attached or gone and if everything is looking healthy there.
To get your baby’s weight you will be asked to strip them down and put a clean diaper on them. You will head on over to the baby scale and see how much they weigh. Hopefully gaining!
Depending on how many days post-birth you are your baby could have lost weight. This is completely normal. Do not stress! Just follow the advice of your pediatrician.
I suggest bringing a small blanket because your baby will likely stay mostly naked for a while. You could take them to the scale without or without the blanket. But once back in your exam room it is nice to have something to wrap them up in.
Baby’s height is sometimes taken on the scale, but can also be done in the exam room.
Head circumference and blood oxygen level will be taken as well.
None of this should be a big deal to your baby. These are easy measurements and exams.
If you are struggling to breastfeed or if it seems more painful than it should be you may be looking at a lip or tongue tie.
At birth, your baby was probably looked over for these ties. This is a second opportunity to check for them and discuss if anything should be done to correct them.
This is a very personal decision between yourself and your partner with the guidance of your pediatrician.
And finally the big one! Shots!
Vaccinations can be a sensitive subject. If you are a vaccinating family your baby will likely receive one or two at this visit.
They will likely be administered in the thigh. Try to have a pacifier ready to give them. If your doctor or nurse doesn’t mind, you could also give them a quick nurse or bottle feeding to comfort them after.
It is so sad to put your baby through any pain. Just remember it is over quickly. From my experience, I can say shots always occur at the end of an appointment. This lets your baby be as happy as possible during the examination.
If you want to read more about surviving shots take a look at 5 Helpful Tips for Getting Through Shots with Your Baby.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Remember how I said it is important to come with a list of questions. This is not to waste the doctor’s time, but rather to get the most out of your visit.
While at home keep a note in your phone where you can jot down questions to ask during your baby’s appointment. Also, ask any questions your partner may have if they are unable to attend the appointment.
Remember what I said though; bring your list to the appointment in paper form. It is difficult to juggle a note on your phone while handling a half-naked baby. Have that list and hand it over to your pediatrician.
Questions are likely to revolve around three main areas: eating, sleeping, and pooping. These are the basics of your baby’s life. You may have many other questions, but your focus should be on these important areas.
Questions could be:
Am I feeding my baby too much?
If I am breastfeeding how do I know when they are done?
How many wet diapers should I expect?
My baby hasn’t pooped in —- number of days, should I be concerned?
How much sleep is normal at this age?
Another great thing to ask is what milestones your pediatrician will be looking for at the next appointment.
Wrapping Up the Appointment
Come to your appointment prepared with your information.
Bring the proper supplies…which is very little.
Have questions, but also make the best use of your time by prioritizing them.
And finally, pat yourself on the back for surviving your first trip to the pediatrician.
I’m sure you’ll nail it!
Check Out My Articles
A New Parent’s Guide to Packing the Perfect Diaper Bag: Tips and Tricks
The Ultimate Guide to Baby care: 8 Essential Tips for New Parents
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