Preparing For Your Infant's First Well Baby Exam: Three Helpful Tips

The days after your newborn comes home from the hospital can be joyous but stressful. You may worry over every change in your baby's facial expression or demeanor. Fortunately for new parents, a first well baby exam can help to relieve some fears and provide a better picture of your child's overall health. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for this essential checkup.

Keep Track Of Diapers And Bottles

At this first routine preventative exam, your pediatrician or family practitioner will ask a lot of questions. Some of those questions will be related to how much your infant is eating and how frequently diapers need to be changed. Of course, as a tired parent to a newborn, it can be hard to remember all of these details. Consider purchasing a small notebook you can use to jot down notes in those first few days at home. Record how much is eaten, how frequently your infant needs to have a diaper change, and how many hours of sleep he or she is getting. All of this information will be helpful for your doctor at the appointment.

Choose A Simple Outfit

When you arrive at the appointment, you'll likely be asked to strip your infant down to just a diaper. Complicated outfits with lots of snaps can be difficult to remove, and it can be frustrating for both you and your infant. Instead, choose a simple pair of pants and a one-piece bodysuit or infant tee. Remember to bring a receiving blanket, even during the summer months. This blanket can be used to swaddle your infant while you wait for the doctor to begin the examination.

Prepare A List Of Questions

Every baby is different, and even if you have other children you may have questions about your newborn. For example, you may be having difficulty with nursing or you may have trouble getting your little one to sleep at night. Your doctor can provide advice for solving these problems and can investigate further to determine if there is a medical cause for some issues. Remember that your infant's doctor is there to be your partner in ensuring the baby thrives in the first days, weeks, and months of life. You can also take this opportunity to discuss any problems you may be having as well. Some mothers can experience depression, and they can also become frustrated and scared about problems with breastfeeding. Even if you are seeing a pediatrician at the well baby visit, he or she can refer you to post-natal therapists, lactation consultants, or other specialists to help you remain as healthy as possible while caring for a newborn.

When you arrive at the doctor's office, be sure to have your insurance card and any paperwork provided by the hospital, such as a vaccination record, so your child's file can be created. If you are looking to schedule your child's first preventative exam, look to a local office like Rapid  Response Urgent Care to provide you with the care you need. 

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