When should you go to the doctor with your baby in the first year of life?

The birth of a baby is a very emotional moment, and the little creature needs a lot of care and love. At the same time, the first year of life is particularly important in terms of the harmonious and healthy growth and development of the infant, therefore during this period, the relationship between the parents and the pediatrician must be close. We invite you to find out when the pediatrician should see the baby in the first year of life and why these consultations are important.

Visits to the pediatrician in the first year of the infant's life

The first visit to the pediatrician should be in the first few days after the mother arrived home with the infant.

The pediatrician assesses the baby, and advises the new mother on breastfeeding, feeding, caring for, and bathing the baby, but also provides information about mandatory visits and the infant's vaccination schedule, as well as certain investigations that are done on babies, such as ultrasound hip. The mother will thus have an overview of the near future in relation to the care and health of the child.

The family doctor can also assess the health status of the new mother and give her information about a quick and easy recovery after giving birth.

In theory, it would be best for the pediatrician to see the baby every month for the first year of life.

But often this rhythm is not possible.

That is why we will write below about the mandatory visits with the baby to the doctor.

Mandatory first visit: at 2 weeks of the baby's life

After the first two weeks after birth, when the parents have already settled in with the baby at home and have already collected some questions, it would be ideal for the pediatrician to consult the child and clarify the concerns of the new parents.

Within this procedure, the pediatrician:

• It will assess the infant's weight gain and whether the infant has regained the weight normally lost immediately after birth;
• It will assess the baby's growth in length;
• It will measure the cranial perimeter;
• He will check the baby's skin, but also his minimal movements, birthmarks, fontanelles, and abdominal wall for possible congenital hernias;
• The baby's mouth and eyes are checked, as also the umbilical cord and how the healing occurred;
• Controls the bilateral hip joint, investigates the external genital organs, limbs (for possible positional defects), fingers, etc.;
• Recommend vitamin D supplementation for the infant and possibly the mother;

He will ask questions about the growth and care of the baby and advise the parents where needed, including feeding and breastfeeding.

Second visit to the pediatrician with the baby in the first year of life: at 1 month

• It is a very important visit for the baby's health. Within this, the pediatrician:
• It will measure weight, waist, length, cranial perimeter, but also the anterior fontanelle;
• He will check together with the parents how the baby has adapted to the new environment, the sleep schedule, the food, the seats;
• Will provide consultation on colic, possible contact or atopic dermatitis, irritation, regurgitation of the baby, etc.;
• A hip ultrasound will be recommended as a screening for hip dysplasia, with the ultrasound performed between 4 and 6 weeks after birth;

The next necessary visit of the baby to the pediatrician should be done after 2 months

And during this visit, of course, the baby's growth and development, neck tone, waist, weight, head circumference, and abdomen will be assessed.

But at the age of 2 months, the first vaccination takes place, which is carried out with the hexavalent vaccine for hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and Haemophilus influenza.

The baby's 4th visit to the pediatrician should be at 4 months

At this visit, the child will have the specific 4-month vaccine and optional vaccines if the parent has opted for them. These optional vaccines can be administered at the same time as the mandatory vaccines or one month apart from them. After vaccination, the child will be followed up to detect any adverse reactions.

The pediatrician will assess the child's waist and weight, cranial circumference, fontanelles, limbs, but also the acquisitions taken by the baby, as well as the oral cavity and especially the gums (teeth usually appear between 6 and 8 months, but in some babies teething may start since 4 months, being normal).

Also in this visit, the pediatrician can begin to advise the mother about diversification, and its importance, and will reinforce the notions at the next visit, which will take place at 6 months.

The fifth visit to the pediatrician in the first year of the baby's life is recommended at 6 months

At 6 months of life, we ​​can start diversifying, therefore introducing, over breastfeeding, the first foods of the baby's life.

The diversification scheme will be discussed in detail with the pediatrician, there may be some special recommendations (for example in children with suspected allergies or a positive Phadiatop Infant test).

Even now, the mandatory 6-month vaccination is also done. Also, for those who have started the optional vaccinations, the scheme will be completed with the appropriate rotavirus and anti-pneumococcal doses.

An ophthalmological screening consultation will also be recommended, possibly also orthopedic for the period when the child starts to stand up (in a few months). Also during this consultation, the pediatrician will advise the parent about the support and position of the baby.

The next visit to the pediatrician will take place in 12 months

Now the child is already much more active, he has bought a lot, walks, pulls, grabs responds to many surrounding stimuli, and even labializes.

The doctor will carefully investigate the entire development of the child, will check for possible signs of anemia, and calcium deficiency, and will ask for information about the child's meals.

At this age, vaccination takes place with the 2 mandatory vaccines within the immunization scheme. 1-year evaluation tests will be recommended, tests that will include specific tests for phospho-calcium metabolism, anemia, for liver and kidney function.