Well Child Visit: Infant - Newborn

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What will we do at this visit?

  • Check your baby's weight to track how your baby is growing.
  • Talk about how your family is adjusting, feeding your baby, sleep, and safety.
  • Answer any questions you have!
  • Help your infant stay healthy by asking family members to keep up to date with their immunizations (especially Pertussis/Whooping Cough- DTap or Tdap, and Influenza/Flu).

Will my child need immunizations at this visit?

The recommended immunization schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they come into contact with potentially life-threatening diseases. 

View the childhood immunization schedule to see which vaccines your baby needs.

Please note that there are age ranges for each vaccine and due to each child's individual medical history, illnesses, missed visits, travel plans, and other factors, your child may need a vaccine early, or to catch-up on missed vaccines at any age! You will discuss any needed immunizations at the time of your visit.

Feeding your baby:

  • Feed only breast milk or iron-fortified formula in the first 4-6 months.
  • Whether at breast or bottle, feed your baby when you see signs of hunger:
    • Putting hand to mouth
    • Sucking, rotting, and fussing
  • Help wake your baby to feed every 3 hours in the day and 4 hours in the night (at a minimum) by:
    • Patting
    • Changing diaper
    • Undressing
  • End feeding when you see signs your baby is full:
    • Turning away
    • Closing the mouth
    • Relaxed arms and hands
  • Hold your baby upright after a feed to allow time for the milk to digest and move through the stomach.

Health and Safety Tips:

  • Hold, cuddle, and talk your baby often.
  • Put your baby down to sleep on their back in a crib or bassinet.  Swaddling should be used only with babies younger than 2 months.  See "What Does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?"
  • During awake times, hold your baby and change their position often (use different holds, carriers, swings, etc.) so that they get a chance to use different muscles, see the world from different viewpoints, and do not develop a tendency to always hold their head in one position.  Check out this article on "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play."
  • You do not need to take your baby's temperature on a schedule, but if they are fussy, feel hot to touch, or more sleepy than usual - take a rectal temperature (See "How to Take a Child's Temperature"). Call the office immediately if the temperature is 100.4 degrees or more.
  • Have everyone wash hands before touching the baby.
  • Never leave your baby alone in bathwater, even in a bath seat or ring.  Please read Infant Water Safety: Protect Your New Baby from Drowning.
  • Keep your home and car smoke free.
  • Use a rear facing car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Visit Be Seat Smart for more car seat information.

How you are feeling:

  • Did you know? 1 in 7 Moms and 1 in 10 Dads suffer from postpartum depression.  Visit Postpartum Support International for more resources and support for moms and dads.  Let your family, a friend, your ObGyn, your PCP, or your baby's Pediatrician know if you or your partner have these symptoms:
    • I have these I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.
    • I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.
    • I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason. 
  • Try to rest or sleep when baby sleeps.
  • Accept (and ask for!) help from family and friends.
  • Give your older children small, safe ways to help you with the baby.

A note about crying...

There is not one right way to soothe a baby. Some babies love to be rocked when upset; others find that too stimulating and prefer to be walked slowly while in a baby carrier, snuggled close to a parent’s chest. Other babies are calmed by being put down in a safe place where they can take a break from the intensity of the world. Zerotothree.org has an excellent article on Crying and Colic.

Ages & Stages - Baby 

Read age-specific articles about your Baby's health, development, and safety at healthychildren.org.

Activities to do with your Baby: 

Find information on Early Learning and Well-being, Early Learning, and Parenting on zerotothree.org.