Of course you hope that your baby will be healthy and develop normally — but problems can become apparent at any time. That’s why it’s so important for you and your baby to stick to the recommendations for scheduling “well-baby visits.”
Babies typically need 6 well-baby checkups during the first year. At Dr. Soos Pediatrics, Gyula Soos, MD, FAAP provides experienced newborn care and support for families in the Dublin, Georgia area. Here’s what you should know about your newborn’s first checkup appointments at Dr. Soos Pediatrics.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s health and wellness, you can get in touch with Dr. Soos at any time. But, even if all seems well, you should still schedule check-up appointments for your baby. At well-baby visits, Dr. Soos can check up on your baby’s development, and recommend any needed changes to your baby’s care.
You should bring your baby in for the first check-up appointment 2-3 days after you leave the hospital after the birth. Schedule your baby’s next appointments at one, two, four, six, and nine months old.
When you come in for your well-baby visit, Dr. Soos checks in on you and your baby, looking at developmental milestones for information on your baby’s health and wellness. These appointments also give you a chance to ask Dr. Soos any questions you may have about your baby’s needs and care.
Some useful things to prepare before your appointment include a list of your questions and any other important documents or information.
Dr. Soos will perform a physical exam on your baby, and update his or her medical history with new information. At each check-up, Dr. Soos measures and records your baby’s height, weight, and the size of your baby’s head. Dr. Soos will also check your baby’s temperature, vision, and hearing.
To assess your baby’s growth and development, Dr. Soos looks at developmental milestones, asking questions about your baby’s physical, mental, language, and social skills. Each baby develops uniquely, and you shouldn’t stress out about meeting developmental milestones. However, Dr. Soos needs to keep an eye on any lags, to make sure an underlying problem doesn’t get missed.
Dr. Soos might ask you about your baby’s movements, activities, communication, eating habits, family, and environment. Dr. Soos can also deliver shots at check-up appointments, to keep your baby safely immunized from common communicable diseases.
To schedule an appointment for your baby with Dr. Soos, book with our online tool, or call Dr. Soos Pediatrics today.
