Well Child Visits
Poison Help
Weight Check Visit
At this visit, your doctor will …
- check your baby’s weight, length and head circumference
- check for jaundice (yellowing of the skin not uncommon in newborns)
- discuss newborn care and safety
- Address any concerns/questions you may have
Feeding
- Feed baby when he/she seems hungry (puts hand to mouth, sucks/roots, fussing)
- End feeding when baby seems full (turns away, closes mouth, relaxes hands)
- Baby is typically feeding well when he/she has 6-8 wet diapers/day & 3-4 soft stools per day
- Do not feed solid foods, juice or water
Breast Feeding
- Feed about every 1-3 hours
- Help baby latch on correctly: mouth opened wide, tongue down, with as much breast in the mouth as possible
- Continue to take a prenatal or multivitamin
- Ask baby’s doctor about vitamin D drops for baby
- Avoid foods that might cause gas
- Discuss any breastfeeding concerns with baby’s doctor
Formula Feeding
- Offer baby 2 oz every 2-4 hours (more if still hungry)
- Feed only iron-fortified baby formula
- Hold baby and do not prop bottle
- Discuss any formula concerns with baby’s doctor
Sleeping
- A newborn may sleep up to 18 or 19 hours a day
- Breastfed babies usually wake to eat every 1 to 3 hours
- Formula-fed babies may sleep longer, waking every 2 to 4 hours to eat
- Newborns should not sleep more than 4 hours between feedings until they have good weight gain, usually within the first few weeks
BACK-TO-SLEEP
(guidelines for reducing the risk of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Always place baby to sleep on his/her back
- In your room in a bassinet or crib not in your bed
- In crib which meets current safety standards: Bars should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Allow no more than a width of 2 adult fingers between the crib mattress and frame. For full crib safety and standards visit www.cpsc.gov
- Use a firm mattress without any bumpers, blankets, quilts, pillows, plush toys, ribbons or ties
- Avoid overheating by keeping the room temperature comfortable
- Consider putting your baby to sleep sucking on a pacifier
Routine Baby Care
Cord Care
- The umbilical cord will typically fall off by 2 weeks of age
- Fold the diaper down so the stump can dry and won’t become irritated
- You may leave the cord alone or clean the cord area with alcohol and a cotton swab once/day
Circumcision Care
- Do not wipe or rub penis
- Put petroleum jelly on penis or diaper front at each diaper change
Bathing
- Do not place baby in water until 24 hours after the cord has fallen off, or for boys, the circumcision has healed
- Consider a sponge bath when needed (not often while infant)
- Clean diaper area with warm wet wash cloth once per day if not bathing
General Care
- Comfort baby by gently touching baby’s head, rocking, patting
- Start routines for feeding, sleeping, an playing daily
- Hold your baby and be attentive to his or her needs. You can’t spoil a newborn.
- Sing, talk, and read to your baby. Babies learn best by interacting with people.
- It’s normal for infants to have fussy periods, but for some, crying can be excessive, lasting several hours a day.
- If a baby develops colic, it usually starts in an otherwise well baby around 3 weeks of age.
- Use a rectal thermometer (see temp guidelines below)
- Rashes are not uncommon in babies, call if you are concerned
- Wash hands often, and ask others who will be touching baby to do the same
- Avoid crowds
- Keep baby out of the sun (sunscreen is not recommended before 6 months old)
- Make a list of phone numbers for emergencies
Safety
Car Safety
- Visit healthychildren.org for complete car seat guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- Make sure car seat is installed correctly (the Fire Department will check car seats for correct installation)
- Make sure seat is rear-facing in the back seat, and never in the front seat with a passenger side airbag
- Never leave baby alone in the car
- Always wear a seat belt, and do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Child Safety Seat Inspection:
1-866-SEATCHECK (732-2432) or www.seatcheck.org
General Safety
- Do not smoke/vape or allow others to smoke/vape around baby
- Do not leave baby unattended
- Make sure your home’s water temperature is set to below 120º F
- Do not carry or drink hot liquids while holding baby
- Test baby’s formula temperature with your wrist
When to Call
Call 911 Now
- Can’t wake up
- Not moving or very weak
- You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Age under 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
- Feeding poorly (such as poor suck, does not finish)
- Hard to wake up
- Dehydration suspected. No urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
- Fever: Rectal temperature below 96.8º or above 100.4º
- CAUTION: Do not give fever medication before contacting your baby’s doctor
Call Doctor Within 24 Hours
- High-risk baby for severe jaundice
- Whites of the eyes (sclera) turn yellow
- Jaundice spreads to stomach (belly)
- You are worried about the amount of jaundice
- You are worried your baby is not getting enough breastmilk
- Yellow, seedy stools are less than 3 per day. Exception: breastfed and before 5 days of life.
- Wet diapers are less than 6 per day. Exception: 3 wet diapers per day can be normal before 5 days of life if breastfed.
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent