Being a new mother is such a great big fun time with the baby because almost everything has to depend on making sure the baby is healthy and happy. Regular checkups form something that helps in tracking the growth, development, and health of your infant.These are not strictly for curing diseases but rather as preventive measures for issues so they come to light early. So here’s a step-by-step approach on when you should take your baby on Check-up based on their milestones for their first two years of life:
Table of Contents
Newborn’s First Examination after 3-5 Days of Delivery
The first postnatal visit is often seen about a few days after the delivery. It is a very crucial review that looks after how your baby is doing outside the womb, and you can ask them anything that bothers you at this point. The physician will:
- Check weight, length, and head circumference.
- Assess feeding and sleeping patterns
- Check for jaundice or other general newborn conditions.
Tip: Bring any concerns you may have at that initial visit, especially about feeding or sleeping.
Monthly checkup
By one month of age, your baby has been seen for their first full physical. This is an evaluation of early development, weight gain, and reflexes. The provider might cover such topics as:
- Feeding patterns: breast, bottle, or both.
- Sleeping and sleeping safely.
- Your vaccination schedule.
Tip: Use this check-up to raise any concerns you may have about colic or other early challenges to caring for your newborn.
2 Month Follow-Up
This, beyond a shadow of doubt, is one of the predominant turning points because your little one will be getting his first shot of vaccines which contain hepatitis B, DTaP and polio. The visit is an opportunity for the doctor to…
Monitor the development of the baby
- Review of early development
- Pay attention to direct eye contact, with the ability to make eye contact in a social manner to engage with a person, and alerting to sounds
- Review tummy time and other early motor activity
Tip: Bring your baby’s immunization card and a record of any side effects to report during your next appointment.
4-Month Check-Up
The child is, at this stage, very active and social. The check-up at 4 months will feature in the development of the baby on the following:
- Monitor their physical developments, together with their motor skills.
- Check for the rolling over, reaching for objects, among other improvements.
- Continue vaccination schedule.
Tip: Talk to your doctor on new activities that can be helpful to stir up cognitive and physical development.
6-Month Check-Up
This check-up marks your baby’s half-year milestone because she has just reached the half year mark. The doctor will assess:
- Introduction to solid foods.
- Oral health and teething.
- Social skills like laughing, smiling, and interaction.
Tip: Be sure to be current on all vaccinations and developmental checklists. You can also get tips on introducing solid foods.
9-Month Check-Up
Your baby is getting more mobile and interactive. The 9-month visit will check :
- Growth at the level of height, weight, and head circumference.
- At this point, your baby can sit up, crawl, and move while pulling himself up.
- Language development- Your baby will start babbling and recognizes the sounds that she already knows.
Tip: Share your concerns with your doctor, especially in cases where the baby seems to experience separation anxiety or disturbances in sleeping patterns.
12 Months –1 yr follow up
Your baby will be assessed for a full physical exam and vaccination series at one year of age. It will comprise:
- Walking and other motor development
- Language: words
- Dental care: first teeth
Tip: Ask for being weaned on to cow milk and ways to comfort those teething aches
15 Month Check-Up
At fifteen months, your child will have gained greater independence as well as even the potential for curiosity. Look what can be expected at this check-up:
- Walking, climbing, and motor skills.
- Language developments (using few words).
- Social-emotional development.
Note: Be sure to express to the physician any concerns you may have at this visit with regard to discipline, safety, and childproofing your home.
18-Month Visit
By 18 months of age, your toddler is growing more in ability and personality. At this visit, the physician will evaluate:
- Advanced motor skills, including running and climbing.
- Language development (can now use several words and follows commands).
- Behavioral and social skills.
Tip: If your child already lags behind some developmental milestones, now is the appropriate time to mention it to the doctor for early intervention.
24-Month (2 Year check-up)
The 2-year checkup represents one of the landmark visits in the practice-the ending of the queue of regular follow-ups.During this visit, the following issues are going to focus on:
- Physical and mental growth and development
- Language and social development
- Ensure whether your child is gaining necessary developmental milestones.
Tip: Your pediatrician will talk to you about what to expect for future appointments, which, from this point on are usually annual.
Import The Use and Importance of Growth Charts and Developmental Monitoring
Some of these tools which most doctors would use in a follow-up check-up to track your baby’s growth are growth charts where the doctor notes down your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference. These can serve as an evaluation to see whether your baby is growing healthily as compared to others within the same age group. Changes over the years may raise red flags for potential growth issues that are picked up on earlier best through diagnosis by your pediatrician.
When to Call Your Doctor Between Visits
Routine checkups are so important, but there may be times between appointments when you should see your doctor. If your baby has a fever that lasts for a few days or is having trouble feeding or seems to be falling behind developmentally, don’t wait until the next scheduled appointment-this might be the beginning of something serious.
Conclusion
Checking up on your baby for the first two years is crucial to his or her healthy growth and development. They are important visits for preventive care but also guide you through important developmental milestones. Keep in mind the vaccination schedule of your baby, growth progress, and do not hesitate to discuss concerns with your pediatrician.
FAQ’s
This check-up, that is given within the first few days after discharge from the hospital, includes measuring your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference; observing feeding and sleeping patterns; checking for jaundice, among many others. They also answer questions you or your newborn may have about care or worry about.
For a newborn, the first check-up would be within 3 to 5 days of birth to check how well it was adjusting, how much weight gained, and free from conditions such as jaundice.