Congratulations, you are a parent of a newborn baby. You have been looking for this time for so long (at least nine months). And now that you have one of the blessings of nature, it’s time to take good care of this gift.
Starting from day one, it’s your responsibility to take care of your child. This quick guide is for children aged between 3 and 5 days.
Before you take your child to a nearby pediatrician, read this guide. It will help you understand what to expect from the healthcare specialists and what you should bring to the doctors.
What to bring to the pediatrician?
Hospital paperwork, including details about your baby’s weight at birth and discharge, complications during pregnancy or childbirth (if any), and the baby.
What will pediatrician specialists do?
Pediatricians are experts in their field and know what to check in a 3-5 day old child. The most usual things they might look at or do to your child include:
- Your child will probably get their first vaccine for Hepatitis B (HBV) if they already haven’t. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends newborns must get this vaccination within the first 24 hours of birth.
- Your pediatrician might perform several screening tests, including hearing and blood tests. If found something unusual, the pediatrician may recommend you a specialist.
- The pediatrician will also measure and weigh your baby, ensuring their growth is on track. Besides that, the pediatrician will also observe the baby’s development and behavior.
Things you should know or ask your pediatrician
It’s unlikely that you will know everything about the baby’s health. It’s entirely OK to ask little things from the doctor. Things you may ask include (the most common questions and answers):
Feeding
- Question: How many times should you feed your child?
- Answer: Make it every 1-3 hours if breastfeeding. Make a diet schedule for formula-fed infants every 2 to 4 hours.
Peeing and pooping
- Question: What is the peeing and pooping cycle for a healthy baby?
- Answer: According to experts, up to 6 wet diapers are pretty common. Similarly, a day of up to 4 soft bowel movements is quite common.
Sleeping
- Question: How many hours should my baby sleep?
- Answer: Newborns need more sleep. They can sleep for up to 17 hours or even more. They get up every 1-3 hours and will require to be fed. A consecutive sleep of 4 hours isn’t normal. If your baby is following an unhealthy routine, share this with the pediatrician.
Week 1 Checklist: Well Child Visit Schedule
Are you taking your child first time to a pediatrician? Below is the table you may want to take with you and add feedback from the doctor:
| Exam | Results/Feedback |
| Jaundice check | |
| Weight check | |
| Feeding issues | |
| Metabolic screening | |
| Newborn vaccines (if needed) | |
| Parent vaccines (if needed) |
Now that you are a parent, you must pay close attention to your child’s health. Do everything to make them stay healthy and pay regular visits to a reputable pediatrician.
