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Infant And Toddler's Health
By the time you hold your new baby in your arms for the first time, chances are you have already chosen one of the most important people in his or her early life - a doctor. You and your baby will probably visit the doctor more often during the first year than at any other time.
You may have had a prenatal visit with your baby's doctor-to-be to discuss some specifics, such as when he or she will see your newborn for the first time, office hours and on-call hours, who fills in for your doctor when he or she is out of the office, and how the office handles after-hours emergencies. You may have also learned your child's doctor's views on certain issues.
In this way, you've begun to forge a relationship with your baby's doctor that should last through the bumps, bruises, and midnight fevers to come.
What Will Happen Right After Birth?
Depending on your desires and the rules of the hospital or birth center where your baby is delivered, his or her first exam will either take place in the nursery or at your side:
- Weight, length, and head circumference will be measured.
- Temperature will be taken, and his or her breathing and heart rate will be measured.
- The doctor or nurse will monitor the color of his or her skin and his or her activity.
- Special eye drops will be given to ward off infection.
- A shot of vitamin K will be given to prevent the possibility of bleeding.
Your baby will be given his or her first bath, and the umbilical cord stump will be cleaned. Most hospitals and birthing centers provide personal instructions (and sometimes videos) to new parents that cover feeding, bathing, and other important aspects of newborn care.
When Will We See the Doctor?
The hospital or birth center where you deliver will notify your child's doctor of your baby's birth. If you have had any medical problems during pregnancy, if any medical problems for your baby are suspected, or if you are having a c-section, a pediatrician or your baby's doctor will be alerted about the impending birth in order to be standing by to take care of the baby.
The doctor you have chosen for your newborn will probably give your baby a full physical examination within 24 hours of birth. You and your child's doctor will have the chance to talk about your new baby and the many aspects of parenting. This is also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have about your new baby's care. Find out when the doctor would like to see your toddler again. Most healthy newborns are routinely examined at the doctor's office when they are about one to two weeks old.
What Happens at the First Office Visit?
During the first office visit, your child's doctor will assess your baby in a variety of ways to see how he or she is doing. The first office visit will differ from doctor to doctor, but you can probably expect:
- measurement of your baby's weight, length, and head circumference to assess how he or she has been doing since birth
- observation of your toddler's vision, hearing, and reflexes
- a total physical examination to check for any abnormalities of the body or organ function
- questions about how you are doing with the new baby and how your baby is eating and sleeping
- advice on what you can expect in the coming month
- a discussion of your home environment and how it might affect your baby's health (for example, smoking in the house can negatively affect your baby's health in a number of ways)
What Immunizations Will My Baby Receive?
A baby receives some natural immunity against many infectious diseases from his or her mother. A mother's infection-preventing antibodies are passed to her baby through the umbilical cord before the baby is born. This immunity is only temporary, but your baby will develop his or her own immunity against many infectious diseases. Breast-fed babies receive antibodies and enzymes in breast milk that help protect them from some infections and even some allergic conditions.
Some infants will receive their first artificial immunization, a hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), at birth or shortly after. This immunization is given in three doses. There are combination vaccines, however, that include HBV and are given at the 2 month visit. In this case no immunizations would be given until 2 months of age, but it's not too early to familiarize yourself with the standard immunization schedule.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Since small problems can indicate big problems for newborns, don't hesitate to call your child's doctor if you have concerns. There are some difficulties that you should be aware of during this first month:
- Excessive drowsiness can be hard to spot in a newborn since most sleep so much. But if you suspect your infant is sleepier than normal, call the doctor. Sometimes this could mean there is an infection present in a baby's system.
- Eye problems can be caused by blockage of one or both tear ducts. Normally the ducts open on their own before too long, but sometimes they remain clogged, which can cause mucus-like tearing of the eyes. The white discharge can crust up on a baby's eyes and make it difficult for your baby to open his or her eyes, and the blockage can lead to infection. If you suspect a serious infection, such as conjunctivitis (pinkeye), call your child's doctor immediately. If your baby has an infection, the doctor will need to examine him or her and may prescribe special antibiotic drops.
- Fever in a newborn (rectal temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) should be reported to your child's doctor right away.
- Extreme floppiness or jitters in a baby could be a sign of underlying problems. Report them to the doctor immediately.
- A runny nose can make it difficult for a baby to breathe, especially when he or she is feeding. You can help ease your baby's discomfort by using a rubber bulb aspirator to gently suction mucus from the nose. Be sure to call your child's doctor - even a common cold can be dangerous for a newborn.
- While breast-fed newborns generally have loose, mustard-colored stools, very loose and watery stools could indicate illness. The danger here for a baby is dehydration, which can show up as a dry mouth and a noticeable reduction in urine output (fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours). Call your child's doctor if your newborn's stools seem watery or loose or if they often occur at other times besides after feeding.
Information obtained from National Institute of Health