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Well Child Visits

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