What To Expect During Your Baby’s First Check Up?

Your baby’s health is fragile, and you want your baby to be cared for by an expert. Your pediatrician has the expertise your baby needs, and it all begins with your baby’s first check-up. The pediatricians at Tri-Valley Pediatrics offer comprehensive medical services for children, starting with newborn care. They have two convenient offices in Pleasanton, and San Ramon, CA, to help you and your baby thrive. 

What You Need To Know About Newborn Care

Your baby’s first check up will happen within 2 to 5 days of birth. This is an important time for your pediatrician to examine your baby and record vital information. During your baby’s first check up, your pediatrician will: 

• Perform a physical examination of your newborn, checking for any medical issues or concerns 
• Record measurements of length, weight, and other information to use as a baseline to check your baby’s ongoing growth and development 
• Answer any questions and discuss overall health, feeding, bathing, changing, sleeping, and other newborn information with you 
• Provide the first doses of immunizations your baby needs 

This first checkup should be followed by checkups at 1,2,4,6,9,15, and 18 months. The last newborn checkup should happen when your child is about 2 years old. These visits are followed by well child exams at regular intervals. 

To care for your baby, remember to: 

• Feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if you are feeding your newborn formula 
• Allow your baby to sleep at least 16 hours a day in the beginning 
• Place your baby on their back to make breathing easier  
• Bathe your baby with only mild soap and lukewarm water, carefully cleaning the folds of skin 
• Avoid bathing your baby too often, because it can dry your baby’s skin 

Want To Know More? 

To find out more about what to expect during your baby’s first checkup and other facts about newborn care, talk with the experts. Call the pediatricians at Tri-Valley Pediatrics. You can reach them in Pleasanton, CA, by calling (925) 460-8444, or in San Ramon, CA, by calling (925) 380-6230, so call today.