Hello,

When a baby enters a pediatric clinic for a WELL BABY VISIT, many a times I as a doctor find that parents do not know what is the purpose of the visit. Today I thought of making a list of this. 

Few things to keep in your mind before visiting your doctor:

  1. Feed yourself and your baby before going, so that baby is calm, and you are also full of energy to care fore baby.
  2. Carry a quick snacks like fruit sandwich etc and water in sipper ( for a baby on complementary feed )
  3. Take a baby bag with diapers, wipes and disposable plastic bags.
  4. Carry medical record file with  immunization card and old prescriptions .
  5. Carry a toy for the kid.
  6. Dress yourself and your baby in comfortable cloths, (easy for you to feed), Baby should be easily undress-able. 
  7. Most important Write down your questions and concerns and bring them with you. This will help you get the most out of the visit. This saves your time, as well as doctors time, and for sure your doctor will appreciate this time management and organised behavior of yours.

What should you expect in WELL BABY VISIT?

Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. Children have more well-child visits when they are younger. This is because development is faster during these years.

Each visit includes:

  1. A complete physical exam. 
  2. Child's growth checked by Length / Height, Weight, and Head circumference, and 
  3. Development in order to find or prevent problems.

The provider will record your child's height, weight, and other important information.

Even if your child is healthy, well-child visits are a good time to focus on your child's wellness. Talking about ways to improve care and prevent problems helps keep your child healthy.

This is also the time to discuss about Vaccination schedule of your baby. 

After the baby is born, the next visit should be 2 to 3 days after bringing the baby home (for breastfed babies) or when the baby is 2 to 4 days old (for all babies who are released from a hospital before they are 2 days old). Some providers will delay the visit until the baby is 1 to 2 weeks old for parents who have had babies before.

After that, it is recommended that visits occur at the following ages (your provider may have you add or skip visits depending on your child's health or your parenting experience):

  • By 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 12 months
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 2 1/2 years
  • 3 years
  • Each year after that until age 15

This visits will keep a track on child's weight height and growth. With changing life styles its important to maintain a BP check also of children once in a year. Always make it a habit to undress the baby as much as possible and socially acceptable before doctor starts examining him/her. If child is more than 1 year make an attempt every time to explain to baby that Doctor will only check him, and not do any harm. It is important that the baby knows what he/she is to expect on examination table. Usually in Pediatric clinic we try to examine the baby  on mothers lap, so that baby is comfortable, but at times we need to examine on examination table

Also, you should visit a provider any time your baby or child seems ill or whenever you are worried about your baby's health or development.
Happy parenting!