The pediatrician plays a continuous role in a newborn’s life, beginning immediately after birth and extending through childhood. These medical professionals ensure your baby’s development remains on track through scheduled preventative appointments. Establishing this relationship early allows for consistent monitoring of your child’s physical growth, developmental milestones, and overall well-being. Regular health oversight is the foundation for addressing potential concerns promptly and supporting a healthy start to life.
Initial Pediatric Evaluation in the Hospital
The first evaluations of your newborn happen right in the hospital. The Apgar score is assigned at one and five minutes after birth, assessing the baby’s immediate adjustment by checking heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. Scores between seven and ten suggest a smooth transition to life outside the womb.
A full physical examination is usually completed within 24 hours of birth by a pediatrician or a covering physician. This head-to-toe check looks for normal function across all body systems, including listening to the heart and lungs and assessing neurological reflexes. Basic measurements, such as weight, length, and head circumference, are recorded to establish a baseline for future growth tracking.
Required screenings are also performed before discharge to identify certain conditions early, including hearing screening and critical congenital heart disease screening using pulse oximetry. The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine and a vitamin K injection may also be administered.
The First Week Checkup
The first outpatient appointment is scheduled shortly after you leave the hospital and is considered an urgent follow-up. This visit typically occurs when the baby is three to five days old, especially if the hospital stay was short. This timing allows the pediatrician to monitor the baby during the initial period of adjustment outside the hospital environment.
A primary focus is monitoring for jaundice, which is common as the baby’s liver adjusts to processing bilirubin. The pediatrician will also closely track the baby’s weight, as most newborns lose a small percentage of their birth weight initially. Ensuring adequate feeding and weight gain is a main goal, often requiring a discussion of feeding routines and techniques.
During this visit, the doctor reviews the results of newborn screenings conducted in the hospital. They also address common new parent concerns, such as diaper output, safe sleep practices, and umbilical cord care.
Well-Child Checkup Schedule for the First Year
Following the first-week visit, a standardized schedule of well-child checkups begins to provide consistent preventative care. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends visits at one month, two months, four months, six months, nine months, and twelve months during the first year of life. These appointments provide a comprehensive assessment of the child’s health and development.
Each checkup includes a full physical exam and measurements of height, weight, and head circumference to plot the child’s growth curve. The pediatrician tracks developmental milestones to ensure the baby is progressing appropriately in areas like motor skills, language, and social interaction. Formal developmental screenings are often performed at the nine-month visit.
Routine immunizations are administered at the two, four, six, and twelve-month appointments. These visits also provide an opportunity for parents to discuss topics such as nutrition, injury prevention, and behavioral issues with the physician.
When to Call the Pediatrician Between Scheduled Visits
While the well-child schedule covers routine care, specific signs necessitate contacting the pediatrician outside of a scheduled appointment. A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a newborn, especially within the first few weeks, requires an immediate call, as it can signal a serious infection.
Other urgent signs include difficulty breathing, such as rapid breathing, flaring nostrils, or a bluish tint to the lips or skin. Excessive vomiting or persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Signs of dehydration include fewer wet diapers than normal, sunken eyes, or significant lethargy.
Any sudden and significant change in the baby’s behavior, such as extreme fussiness, inconsolable crying, or unusual drowsiness, should prompt a phone call. Pediatric offices encourage calls whenever a parent is concerned about their baby’s health or well-being.