Whether you have just had your first baby or you are an experienced parent, questions and concerns arise which you should discuss with your pediatrician. The well-baby checkup is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Here are common concerns we hear about at Northwoods Pediatric Center.
When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?
This milestone likely will occur between the ages of three and six months. Your baby will be able to go much longer between feedings and will be at a sufficient weight to get needed rest.
What’s The Safest Sleep Position for My Baby?
For both naps and sleeping at night, place your baby on his or her back. This position greatly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
When Should I Call You About a Fever in My Newborn?
Fevers can be serious depending on the age of the child. If a three-month old (or younger) has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, or if the child is older than three months has a temperature of greater than 102.2 degrees F, call our office right away for instructions.
Other physical signs which can warrant a trip to the nearest hospital ER are:
- Extreme sluggishness, irritability or crying
- Seizure
- Bluish skin or nails
- Bulging fontanel (soft spot)
Also, because you know your baby best, contact us whenever you believe something is not right.
What Vaccine Schedule Do You Follow?
We follow the vaccine schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These preventive medications protect your baby from communicable diseases, such as hepatitis, influenza, rubella and more.
At each check-up throughout the first year of life, your little one will receive the proper dosage of various vaccines, beginning with the Hepatitis B vaccine two to three days after birth.
Is My Baby Growing and Developing Normally?
Your pediatrician will ask you questions regarding your baby’s movements, vocalizations, response to your voice and more. These queries help the doctor understand if your little one is reaching developmental milestones for social, cognitive and language skills, gross motor and fine motor abilities and more.
The doctor will tell you if he or she perceives any delays in development and if there is a need for additional monitoring at the pediatrician’s office or with a specialist.
Also, your baby’s provider will chart measurements, such as head circumference, weight and length. These numbers will be compared to other infants of the same gender and age. Doctors look for steady growth as indicators of good health and proper physical development.
Does My Baby Need Vitamin Supplementation?
Some infants do need Vitamin D supplementation when they are breastfed. Infant formula already contains appropriate levels of Vitamin D.
How Can I Soothe My Baby During Teething?
Expect those first teeth (often the bottom central incisors) to begin erupting around six to eight months of age. Some babies have no reaction to this milestone at all, while others may run slight fevers and be excessively fussy.
Your pediatrician can recommend ways to reduce gum swelling and other discomforts associated with teething. Common solutions include gently rubbing the gums with a clean index finger or giving your baby a pure rubber teething ring.
Wellness Checkups for Babies in The Woodlands, TX
At Northwoods Pediatric Center, our professional team loves caring for babies as well as answering their parents’ questions and concerns. The well-child visits during the first year of life yield valuable information about children’s growth, development, behavior and health. So, be sure to bring your little one to our office shortly after birth and at the recommended intervals of two, four, six and twelve months.
To book your baby’s checkup, call our office team at (281) 296-7770, or request your visit here. We have four wonderful pediatricians on staff: Drs. Shah, Sultana, Poonawala and Sigdel. Come see us soon at either our Spring or The Woodlands locations.
