We all have mom guilt, and it is unwarranted 99% of the time. One of the things I commonly see when first-time moms bring their newborns for their first pediatrician visit is that they have forgotten something. Something gets left behind, whether it is the diapers, the pacifier, or the hospital paperwork. And you see mom guilt written all over their poor, tired faces, and you want to hug them and say, “It’s okay; you are not alone.”
What to Bring to Your First Pediatrician Visit:
Here is a helpful checklist of the key items to bring to your first pediatrician visit:
1. Hospital Paperwork
This is excellent information for us because it helps eliminate many of the mundane questions we need to ask, but we don’t want to waste time asking when we would much rather talk about feeding and poop. Bringing that packet helps us know there were no concerns during pregnancy or delivery. And that the baby doesn’t have risk factors for jaundice, that they passed the hearing screen, and so much more.1
Speaking of paperwork, some moms like to chart every feed and every wet and dirty diaper and then bring that to the first pediatrician visit. This is great if you have it, and fine if you do not. (see the best baby tracking apps)
Most of the time, the baby will not yet have been placed on your insurance, but bring along your card, and then in a few weeks, the baby will be added, and we’ll update any info after that.
2. Baby Stuff
You’ll want a few items in your baby’s diaper bag. Having a few diapers is always great because they go through things like lightening some days. Wipes, a change of clothes, a pacifier if you are using one, a bottle and formula if you have been using them, and a blanket to keep them warm since we usually will weigh and examine them undressed.
3. Questions
Your first pediatrician visit is a prime opportunity to ask every question, and you’ll have plenty! This is where we want to hear how feeding is going, how much sleep you and baby are getting, whether the baby is too gassy or colicky, and all the other million and one things you have running through your brain day and night since day one. We understand first-time, second-time, and fourth-time moms and welcome all questions. And we will have our questions about where the baby is sleeping, are they are sleeping on their back, are you waking them up to eat, are they peeing and pooping, and the list goes on.
If you forgot anything or something to ask, don’t worry. We will usually see you and baby again one week after this visit and can review it at the next appointment.
What to Expect at Baby’s First Year Pediatrician Visits
Having your pediatrician guide you through your baby’s first year is what we are here for. Here is an overview of what you can expect at your baby’s first pediatrician visits.
3 – 5 Days Old
The initial visit is usually when the baby is between 3 and 5 days old. However, we see some babies right after hospital discharge if there are concerns with weight or jaundice. Most newborns can be seen a little later if everything is sailing smoothly after birth.
That first pediatrician visit is usually just a talking session where your doctor will go over feedings, the count of dirty diapers, and how much sleep is expected from the newborn. There are no shots or blood work usually done UNLESS there is a concern for jaundice, and then we will check blood work that day.
2 Weeks Old
If all is well, the next visit will be when the baby is 2 weeks old, and we will check to see if they are showing good weight gain. Most babies at 2 weeks old would have regained or surpassed their birth weight. We also perform a state-mandated newborn screen to rule out treatable thyroid, blood, and metabolic disorders.
2 Months Old
If mom and baby seem to be progressing normally, we will check back in around 2 months for the well-check and first set of vaccines. Typically, at the 2-month pediatrician visit, your little one is due for 3 injections and one oral vaccine. Most offices use combined vaccines to minimize the number of injections, and most also only carry preservative-free vaccines.
4 – 12 Months Old
After the 2-month visit, the schedule is 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and then one year. Vaccines are given at every one of those pediatrician visits except for the 9-month visit, where we will check hemoglobin and, if necessary, lead (if there are risk factors).
At each well-check, we focus on the baby’s growth in height, weight, and head size. We will also review all the milestones they should reach in the first year, ensure their physical exam is benign, and—of course—answer all the questions that come up between visits.
Most pediatricians recommend following the CDC vaccine schedule, especially for the first year of life.1 There are so many exposures, and their little immune systems constantly encounter new bacteria and viruses.
These first several pediatrician visits will go by quickly, so enjoy those growing babies!
