Well Child Visits for Infants
Our last blog covered the importance of well-child visits and provided a checklist for newborn visits. This month, we are focusing on infant visits. As with newborn well visits, infant well visits continue to focus on the growth and development of your child. Proper development during your baby’s first year is crucial, which is why keeping your newborn well-visit schedule is vital. Below is a description and checklist of what you can expect during these visits, allowing you to prepare beforehand.
A Note on Postpartum Recovery:
During each of your child’s infant visits, you will also be a priority. Your pediatrician may ask you questions about your overall health and well-being. This is simply to check your postpartum recovery and ensure that you are not dealing with any sadness, anxiety, or depression. If you are struggling with postpartum depression, please talk to your pediatrician. We are here to help and support you.
4-Month Checkup:
Your infant’s 4-month checkup will include a complete physical, a discussion about their eating and sleeping habits, and a round of vaccinations for your child. During the physical exam, your pediatrician will measure your baby’s height, weight, head circumference, and will also examine muscle tone. We recommend the checklist below when preparing for your 4-month well-visit.
- Review measurements (weight and length), ensuring your baby’s physical development is on track.
- Ensure your baby receives a 2nd dose of the following vaccines: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib), Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV), Inactivated Polio (IPV), and Rotavirus.
- Discuss any sleeping or feeding issues your baby may be experiencing.
- Discuss your baby’s new developmental milestones and activity levels. By this age, they should be attempting to roll over.
6-Month Checkup:
The 6-month well visit is exciting as your child begins to experience new developmental milestones. Your baby will be ready to start experimenting with solid foods by this age. This is an exciting time as you begin introducing new flavors to your baby’s diet.
This checkup will also include a complete physical examination and another round of vaccinations. We recommend the checklist below when preparing for your 6-month well-visit.
- Review developmental measurements (weight and length), ensuring your baby’s development is on track. Your baby’s birth weight should have doubled by the time they reach 6 months of age.
- Ensure your baby receives their 3rd dose of the following vaccines: Diptheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib), Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV), Hepatitis B (HBV), and Rotavirus.
- Beginning at 6 months of age, the CDC also recommends the seasonal flu vaccine, so talk to your pediatrician about adding this to your checklist.
9-Month Checkup:
You will notice many changes in your baby between the 6-month and 9-month well-visits. Beginning to crawl, standing, and babbling – your infant is progressing quickly! As with your previous visits, your baby’s 9-month checkup will include a physical exam and an assessment of motor skills. This visit includes one vaccine for Inactivated Polio (IPV). We recommend the checklist below when preparing for your 9-month visit.
- Review developmental measurements, ensuring your baby’s development is on track.
- Inform your pediatrician if your baby is not sitting up on their own or attempting become more mobile.
12-Month Checkup:
Can you believe your baby is already 1 year old? This first year has gone by so quickly. This month marks the end of the infant stage, as your baby now enters the toddler developmental stage. At this 12-month visit, your baby will receive a physical examination and a round of vaccinations. We recommend the checklist below when preparing for your 12-month visit.
- Ensure your baby receives the following vaccines: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Heamophilus Influenza Type B (Hib), and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV).
- Ensure your baby receives booster shots for any previous vaccines that may have been missed.
- Have your pediatrician test your baby for anemia.
While our checklist is a great starting point for preparing for these well-visits, it is important that you also write down any questions you may have so that your concerns can be addressed at each visit. There is no such thing as an insignificant question or concern, so do not be afraid to have open and honest discussions with your pediatrician. If you would like to schedule a well-child visit or have any questions about what to expect during your visit, please contact Briarcliff Pediatrics. Dr. Raymond Deeb and Dr. Rebecca McCoy look forward to speaking with you and are here to address any concerns you may have about these visits. Don’t forget to follow up on Facebook and Instagram for more health tips.
