As with all well-child visits, Baby‘s pediatrician or other healthcare provider will use this time to catch up with the two of you, track Baby‘s growth and development, look for new milestones, and talk to you about health and wellness. This appointment in particular might come with a few immunizations.
At the appointment
If Baby didn’t get their second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at their last well-child visit, they will probably get it at this one. It’s likely time for their first dose of the vaccines for diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, rotavirus, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). The immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, and a cellular pertussis will be administered in the same dose, known as DTaP.
The healthcare provider will also be checking on milestones like smiling, cooing, looking at you, comforting themself, fussing when bored, crying differently for things like hunger or attention, moving their arms and legs together, holding their head up when they are being held, and pushing their head up when they are on their tummy.
Questions to ask
The best questions to ask are, as always, any questions you’re curious about. You might have a pretty good ideas of all the basics, but there’s a lot of nuance to “basic” things like feeding and sleeping. This is dedicated time to learn more about the health of your little one and be an advocate for them. Some things you might ask are:
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How do I establish a routine for things like baths and feedings?
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How much tummy time should Baby get?
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What should I know about finding a babysitter or childcare?
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How can I make sure they are safe as they learn to roll over?
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How do I strengthen the bonds my partner and I have with Baby?
Sources
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“AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits.” HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 18, 2015. Web.
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“Well-child visits.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. February 5, 2015. Web.
