Well baby visit - one month

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Article Summary

Your first well-baby visit will be about one month after you take your baby home.

Your first well-baby visit will be about one month after you take your baby home from the hospital. Your GP or health visitor will check his weight and height, and offer you advice on how to handle minor illnesses or concerns at home and when to call the doctor.

You're still getting used to life with your baby, so give yourself as much time for this checkup as you can. Take along whatever you need to keep your baby warm, fed and contented, and make sure you take a copy of your newborn's hospital record (Red Book or Baby Book) if you have it.

At this visit, your GP will probably:

 Weigh and measure your baby to make sure he's growing at a healthy rate. Click here to see our growth chart.

 Check that his umbilical cord stump has fallen off and the tummy button is healing well. If your baby son was circumcised, your GP will check that this is healing as well.

 Address any health concerns that he or she notices, such as cradle cap or nappy rash.

 Give you some insight into your baby's individual personality and temperament, as well as his development.

 Ask you about your baby's sleeping, eating and elimination patterns ("the "wee-wee" and "poo-poo" reports).

Your GP will want to know:

 Has your baby seen another general practitioner since the last visit? If so, why? What was the outcome of that visit, and was any medication or treatment prescribed?
 Does your baby hold his head up when you put him on his tummy?
 Does he quieten down, at least briefly, when he hears you or when you pick him up?
 Does he sleep a little longer during some part of the day or night?
 Does he have longer periods when he's alert?
 Does he follow you with his eyes, and study your eyes and face when you're close?
 Does he respond to your voice or other sounds?
 Is he put to sleep on his back? Are his bedding and room appropriate? Click here for more information on SIDS.
 Does he watch a mobile above him?
 Is he a little more restless at the end of the day? All of this behaviour is expected at this time.
 If you are breastfeeding, are you taking any medication or supplements?
 Are there any particular stresses or changes at home?

Talk It Over

You no doubt have many other concerns. Now's the time to discuss them with your GP. Here are a few common issues:

 How is your baby eating and sleeping? Let your doctor know how often your baby eats.

 Your baby may have a common newborn skin condition, such as cradle cap; your GP can help you understand what it is and how to treat it.

 Talk about how siblings and other family members are adjusting.

 Ask your GP or health visitor to show you how to take your baby's temperature. You can also ask the nurse to watch while you take it, and to offer suggestions.

 Ask about crying management and comforting techniques. Your baby should respond to being held. Discuss the use of dummies as well.

Speak Up!

New parents always have questions. Don't be shy around your GP - he or she wants to help. For example, you should mention to your GP any of the following situations that apply to you:

 People are giving you advice that confuses you or is contradictory.
 Your baby doesn't respond to sounds, especially your voice.
 Your baby isn't moving both hands and feet equally.
 Your baby has a puffy or runny eye.
 Your baby doesn't focus on your face when he is alert.
 You're having difficulty comforting your baby.
 You're feeling down or having trouble sleeping or eating.
 You're going back to work soon and you're not sure how you're going to manage it.
 Your baby doesn't stay awake for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Click here to return to Well-Baby Introduction.

Category Tags:

Development

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Health

Article Tags:

checkup

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paediatrician

,

immunizations

,

milestones

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weight