The first few days at home with our baby are a period in which thousands of questions arise, and then at the check-up with the pediatrician (which often coincides with the baby's first outing and the stress that this entails), we draw a blank... To avoid this from happening to you, here are 5 questions that you should ask the pediatrician on that first visit. Although of course, you can add as many as you want, remember that all questions are welcome!
Your baby's first visit to the pediatrician
The first-week checkup usually occurs between 3 and 5 days of age . At this first visit, which is often also the newborn's first time out of the house, the doctor will measure and weigh the baby, observe his or her development and behavior, and perform a physical exam. He or she may also perform other tests, such as blood or hearing tests, and refer to other specialists if necessary.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
How do you know if you are eating well?
This is one of the topics that most worries new parents, so don't hesitate to ask and resolve all your doubts. The pediatrician will help you identify the signs that your baby gives you to know if he/she is eating well, when he/she is satisfied or when he/she is hungry. The most common indicators are weight, the general condition of the baby and the number of dirty diapers.
How to keep baby safe while sleeping?
Newborns spend most of their time sleeping, so it's important to know how to ensure safe sleep. If you have questions, ask about the baby's sleeping position (face up), the conditions of his crib or room, or how you should dress him. ALL questions are welcome.
If you want to learn about infant sleep and create healthy sleep habits in your baby from day one, remember that we have our Online Sleep Course for Newborns available, designed for babies from 0 to 4 months.
What things are normal and expected at this stage?
Newborns are making their transition to the extrauterine world, so there are many behaviors and symptoms that are to be expected, such as sneezing, hiccups, peeling skin, or scarring and falling off of the umbilical cord. To avoid concerns, talk to your pediatrician about situations that are common in the first months of life.
What should your baby's bowel movements be like?
Let's face it, bowel movements are the big issue when there's a newborn in the house. Color, frequency, texture, everything can be a cause for celebration or alarm. So ask your pediatrician about what factors would be a reason to consult (for example, a certain color or if there's blood).
For what reasons? should you go to the emergency room?
Especially for first-time moms and dads, when they are faced with a critical situation with their baby (such as fever, infection, vomiting, abnormal behavior, etc.), it is difficult to identify when it is something to be expected or a reason to go to the emergency room. Ask the doctor what the reasons are for going to the emergency room, and never be afraid to ask questions and seem "exaggerated" if you feel that something is not right with your baby.
