The First Pediatrician Visit: What To Expect and Questions To Ask

Starting from the moment a new baby joins the world, to their first day at home and beyond, regular care and well visits should be a top priority. It’s also very important to choose a pediatrician who specializes in the care, monitoring and treatment of newborn babies. Know what to expect at your first newborn care visit at Omaha Childrens Clinic and the questions that you should ask to ensure your baby’s continuing good health.

The Importance of Well Visits for Newborns

Just as is the case with young children and growing teens, newborns must be looked after with regular well visits to the doctor. It is important to track a baby's development over the first years of life, including their size, behavior, speech, hearing, sitting up, bowel movements, diet, responses and emotional health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends visits throughout the first year at intervals of one to three months. The very first visit should ideally happen the first week your new baby is home.

What To Expect at the First Visit

When you visit the pediatrician for the first time, you may get a sense of relief knowing that you have someone on your side helping with your newborn. It can be an intimidating experience, especially for a first-time parent. Things you can expect at the first newborn care visit with your pediatrician include:

• Weight and height measurements to keep track of physical growth.
• Breastfeeding advice and consultation.
• Physical evaluation of the skin, eyes, mouth, and ears.
• Setting up a vaccination schedule.
• Checking bowel color and consistency.
• General care advice, including how often to bathe your baby, products, and safe transportation.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Newborn Care

The first visit to the pediatrician is your chance to ask all of the questions that you still have on your mind. These are just a few questions that you may want to add to your list:

• Is your baby’s crying patterns normal?
• When should your baby sleep and for how many hours per day.
• How often should you feed your baby and when is it okay to introduce solid foods?

Schedule Your Child’s First Visit Today

Set a time to visit your Omaha, NE pediatrician at Omaha Childrens Clinic for the first time today for newborn care by calling (402) 330-5690. Dr. John Vann, Dr. Tricia Schmit and their staff are committed to providing children and their families with the care and attention they need for healthy development.