Newborn Wellness Visit: A Comprehensive Guide

As a parent of a newborn, you must take your child to a newborn pediatrician who will check whether your child is doing okay. This is called a newborn wellness check or a well-child visit to see how the child is doing in the first few days of their life and counsel the parents on the best ways to care for the child. This visit is a great time to bring up any concerns about your child, especially if you’re a first-time parent. The doctor will help you understand child care and identify all the things you can do better. Not sure what a newborn wellness visit entails? Here’s all you should expect from it.

Measurement of Child’s Growth Percentile

The doctor will measure your child’s height, weight, and head circumference to see whether their measurements are healthy. They do this by plotting the baby’s measurements on a growth chart and checking their growth percentile.

Performing a Physical Exam

The doctor will also perform the baby’s physical exam by listening to their heartbeat and checking their pulse rate. They will also check your baby’s umbilical cord to see whether it’s drying up properly and examine your child’s hips. The entire physical exam will be done in your presence.

Conducting Wellness Tests

Newborns are screened for metabolic, hormonal, and other types of disorders, such as jaundice. During the wellness visit, the doctor may run follow-up tests if the screening tests show any issues. The doctor may also do a hearing test during this visit if it wasn’t done before.

Reviewing Immunization

The pediatrician will review your child’s immunization to see whether your newborn has received all the vaccines and then update their vaccination chart for the future. The doctor may also explain the vaccination schedule to you so you know when to get your child vaccinated next.

Answering Parents Queries

The wellness visit is also a great opportunity for you to bring up your queries to the doctor, who will guide you on how to best handle your child’s needs. You can ask any questions related to your child’s feeding, peeing, pooping, and sleeping routines.

Schedule Your Newborn’s Well-Child Visit in Stone Oak

If you have a newborn baby, you should schedule a well-child visit with a reliable pediatric specialist to ensure your child is healthy and developing properly. A Thru Z Pediatrics is a highly-rated pediatric clinic Stone Oak, where you can get comprehensive primary care services for newborns, toddlers, children, and teens. Their services include newborn wellness checks, asthma treatments, sick visits, vaccinations, and more. Book your appointment with our seasoned specialists today. Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for medical advice.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's health, call your A thru Z Pediatrics office.