When Will We See the Doctor?
The hospital or birth center where you deliver will
notify your child's doctor of your baby's birth. If
you have had any medical problems during pregnancy,
if any medical problems for your baby are suspected,
or if you are having a c-section, a pediatrician or
your baby's doctor will be alerted about the
impending birth in order to be standing by to take
care of the baby.
The doctor you have chosen for your newborn will
probably give your baby a full physical examination
within 24 hours of birth. You and your child's
doctor will have the chance to talk about your new
baby and the many aspects of parenting. This is also
a good opportunity to ask any questions you have
about your new baby's care. Find out when the doctor
would like to see your newborn again. Most healthy
newborns are routinely examined at the doctor's
office when they are about one to two weeks old.
What Happens at the First Office Visit?
During the first office visit, your child's doctor
will assess your baby in a variety of ways to see
how he or she is doing. The first office visit will
differ from doctor to doctor, but you can probably
expect:
measurement of your baby's weight, length, and head
circumference to assess how he or she has been doing
since birth
observation of your newborn's vision, hearing, and
reflexes
a total physical examination to check for any
abnormalities of the body or organ function
questions about how you are doing with the new baby
and how your baby is eating and sleeping
advice on what you can expect in the coming month
a discussion of your home environment and how it
might affect your baby's health (for example,
smoking in the house can negatively affect your
baby's health in a number of ways)
Also, if the results of screening tests performed on
your newborn after birth are available, they may be
discussed with you. Bring any questions or concerns
to your child's doctor at this time. Make sure to
write down any specific instructions he or she gives
you regarding special baby care. Keep a permanent
medical record for your baby that includes
information about your baby's growth, immunizations,
medications, and any problems or illnesses.
What Immunizations Will My Baby Receive?
A baby receives some natural immunity against many
infectious diseases from his or her mother. A
mother's infection-preventing antibodies are passed
to her baby through the umbilical cord before the
baby is born. This immunity is only temporary, but
your baby will develop his or her own immunity
against many infectious diseases. Breast-fed babies
receive antibodies and enzymes in breast milk that
help protect them from some infections and even some
allergic conditions.
Some infants will receive their first artificial
immunization, a hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), at birth
or shortly after. This immunization is given in
three doses. There are combination vaccines,
however, that include HBV and are given at the 2
month visit. In this case no immunizations would be
given until 2 months of age, but it's not too early
to familiarize yourself with the standard
immunization schedule.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Since small problems can indicate big problems for
newborns, don't hesitate to call your child's doctor
if you have concerns. There are some difficulties
that you should be aware of during this first month:
Excessive drowsiness can be hard to spot in a
newborn since most sleep so much. But if you suspect
your infant is sleepier than normal, call the
doctor. Sometimes this could mean there is an
infection present in a baby's system.
Eye problems can be caused by blockage of one or
both tear ducts. Normally the ducts open on their
own before too long, but sometimes they remain
clogged, which can cause mucus-like tearing of the
eyes. The white discharge can crust up on a baby's
eyes and make it difficult for your baby to open his
or her eyes, and the blockage can lead to infection.
If you suspect a serious infection, such as
conjunctivitis (pinkeye), call your child's doctor
immediately. If your baby has an infection, the
doctor will need to examine him or her and may
prescribe special antibiotic drops.
Fever in a newborn (rectal temperature above 100.4
degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) should be
reported to your child's doctor right away.
Extreme floppiness or jitters in a baby could be a
sign of underlying problems. Report them to the
doctor immediately.
A runny nose can make it difficult for a baby to
breathe, especially when he or she is feeding. You
can help ease your baby's discomfort by using a
rubber bulb aspirator to gently suction mucus from
the nose. Be sure to call your child's doctor - even
a common cold can be dangerous for a newborn.
While breast-fed newborns generally have loose,
mustard-colored stools, very loose and watery stools
could indicate illness. The danger here for a baby
is dehydration, which can show up as a dry mouth and
a noticeable reduction in urine output (fewer than
six wet diapers in 24 hours). Call your child's
doctor if your newborn's stools seem watery or loose
or if they often occur at other times besides after
feeding.
What Immunizations Will My Baby Receive?
A baby receives some natural immunity against many
infectious diseases from his or her mother. A
mother's infection-preventing antibodies are passed
to her baby through the umbilical cord before the
baby is born. This immunity is only temporary, but
your baby will develop his or her own immunity
against many infectious diseases. Breast-fed babies
receive antibodies and enzymes in breast milk that
help protect them from some infections and even some
allergic conditions.
Some infants will receive their first artificial
immunization, a hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), at birth
or shortly after. This immunization is given in
three doses. There are combination vaccines,
however, that include HBV and are given at the 2
month visit. In this case no immunizations would be
given until 2 months of age, but it's not too early
to familiarize yourself with the standard
immunization schedule.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Since small problems can indicate big problems for
newborns, don't hesitate to call your child's doctor
if you have concerns. There are some difficulties
that you should be aware of during this first month:
Excessive drowsiness can be hard to spot in a
newborn since most sleep so much. But if you suspect
your infant is sleepier than normal, call the
doctor. Sometimes this could mean there is an
infection present in a baby's system.
Eye problems can be caused by blockage of one or
both tear ducts. Normally the ducts open on their
own before too long, but sometimes they remain
clogged, which can cause mucus-like tearing of the
eyes. The white discharge can crust up on a baby's
eyes and make it difficult for your baby to open his
or her eyes, and the blockage can lead to infection.
If you suspect a serious infection, such as
conjunctivitis (pinkeye), call your child's doctor
immediately. If your baby has an infection, the
doctor will need to examine him or her and may
prescribe special antibiotic drops.
Fever in a newborn (rectal temperature above 100.4
degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) should be
reported to your child's doctor right away.
Extreme floppiness or jitters in a baby could be a
sign of underlying problems. Report them to the
doctor immediately.
A runny nose can make it difficult for a baby to
breathe, especially when he or she is feeding. You
can help ease your baby's discomfort by using a
rubber bulb aspirator to gently suction mucus from
the nose. Be sure to call your child's doctor - even
a common cold can be dangerous for a newborn.
While breast-fed newborns generally have loose,
mustard-colored stools, very loose and watery stools
could indicate illness. The danger here for a baby
is dehydration, which can show up as a dry mouth and
a noticeable reduction in urine output (fewer than
six wet diapers in 24 hours). Call your child's
doctor if your newborn's stools seem watery or loose
or if they often occur at other times besides after
feeding.
