First Newborn Visit

Congratulations! You made it home with your newborn and are settling into a routine (as much as you can). Within a few days of coming home, it will be important for your infant to have the first visit with the Pediatrician. What can you expect at this visit?

Vitals – Heart rate and respiratory rate will be counted, temperature is taken. Usually a pulse oximetry (measurement of the amount of oxygen saturation of the blood using a light on the baby’s toe or wrist) is done as well. 

Growth measurements – your infant will have growth measurements done, including length, weight, and head circumference. These are plotted on a growth chart that is specific to your baby’s gender. These growth charts are monitored over time to make sure your infant is growing appropriately and proportionally. At this first visit the weight measurement is the most important. Most babies will lose weight during the first week of life, and breastfed infants often lose more than formula fed infants. Your baby’s doctor will monitor this loss to ensure it is not too much, and may offer recommendations for feeding based on this curve.

Exam – your infant will have a head-to-toe exam at every well-child visit. 

Questions from the Pediatrician – your baby’s doctor will ask many questions about feeding, burping, sleeping, voiding (urination) and stooling (bowel movements), spit up, and more. 

Questions from you – NEVER feel hesitant about asking questions of your Pediatrician. We know you have them. We’ve heard them all before. There are no “stupid questions.” Our job is to help you be the best parent you can, but we need to know your concerns and questions in order to do that. 

Safety information – part of every well-child visit is discussion of safety that is appropriate for age. For newborns, this includes:

• sleep practices – infants should sleep on their back in their own basinette or crib. There should be no extra blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, stuffed animals, or sleep positioners in the crib. Infants should never sleep in parents’ bed, in swings, or in reclined sleepers. 
• car seat instructions – infants should be in their infant car seats, in the back seat, facing backwards. 

Next well child visit: 2 weeks

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