Checkups for your baby

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Regular checkups It’s important for your baby to get regular checkups. You can help keep your baby healthy by taking her to the doctor regularly. These visits are called “well-baby visits” or “well-child visits” because your baby is healthy, not sick.

In the hospital A doctor will examine your baby when she is still in the hospital.

After your baby comes home You need to take her to the doctor when she is:
• 3-5 days old
• almost 1 month old
• 2 months old
• 4 months old
• 6 months old
• 9 months old
• 12 months old

What will happen? Each time you take your baby for a well-baby check up,
• the doctor or nurse will ask you questions about how your baby is doing.
• the doctor or nurse will measure and weigh your baby.
• the doctor will listen to her heart and her lungs.
• the doctor will tell you what to expect as your baby grows older.
• the doctor will give you suggestions about ways to keep her healthy.

Shots Shots are important! The doctor or nurse will give your baby shots at most well-baby visits. Your baby may receive several shots, sometimes as many as even 5 shots, at a well-baby visit. Read more about shots here>>

Questions Your doctor will ask you lots of questions about your baby. It’s important to be honest with your doctor.

You and your doctor Become a partner with your doctor!
• Keep all of your appointments. Every doctor’s appointment is important!
• Think about questions to ask your doctor and write them down before your visits.

Listen to your doctor! It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice.

If your baby is sick If you think your baby is sick, phone her doctor right away. If you don’t have a doctor, take her to Urgent Care or the ER. Don’t wait for her checkup appointment.

Is your baby on WIC? If your baby is a WIC participant, you will receive booklets and flyers about babies during your WIC visits. These will help you learn more about breastfeeding, nutrition, how babies behave and how they grow. Your WIC educator will answer any questions you may have.

If your baby has a health problem, your WIC educator may refer you to a WIC nutritionist.

Read more about WIC services here>>