What to Expect at Your Baby's Well Child Exam

The physical examination ensures that your baby is in good health. It's designed to catch any health concerns early.

Nearly every visit begins with measurements. Babies are typically measured lying down. The child's head is placed against a special board and the body is lined up with a measuring strip while a nurse holds the baby's legs gently in an extended position. The baby is also placed on a scale so that weight gain can be monitored. 

The ear, eye, and throat exam is both a visual and a functional examination. The visual exam involves looking into your child's ears, eyes, and throat to make sure everything is looking healthy. Your doctor will then likely perform a simple vision and hearing test to make sure the senses are functioning correctly. They'll check that the child's eyes dilate properly and follow objects, and that your child reacts to noises.

 

The internal examination typically involves a stethoscope, which the doctor uses to listen to your child's breathing, heartbeat, and the functioning of the digestive system. The doctor will also gently push and prod your child's abdomen and sides.

The main goal of the prodding is to catch issues like an umbilical hernia, a common condition that only requires monitoring unless it doesn't close on its own by the child's fourth birthday.

Your doctor isn't just concerned with physical health. They also want to ensure your child is developing normally.

The pediatrician will use a milestone checklist to make sure your child is developing at a normal pace. They may check for things like the baby's ability to hold up their head by age two months or responding to their name by age six months. A delayed milestone alone isn't necessarily a reason for concern, but your doctor will want to monitor any delays to ensure they don't indicate an issue.

Motor skills include things like grasping and being able to move the body. Young babies have fewer motor skills, so your doctor may only check that they have a firm grasp and can move their arms, legs, and head freely. As the child gets older, skills like the ability to hold a crayon, sit up, or crawl will also be assessed.

How a baby responds to stimuli depends on the child's age. An infant may only respond by calming down or getting worked up, but an older baby may smile, coo, stare intently, or even reach out towards the stimuli. Your doctor will compare your child's reactions against a checklist of age-appropriate responses to specific stimuli.

Once the examinations are done, treatments and ongoing recommendations are suggested.

Generally, the only treatment most babies require at a well child checkup are their vaccinations. The doctor will provide you with the most up-to-date immunization schedule that they recommend for your child. Generally, during their first year a baby requires vaccinations at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age. If you have vaccination concerns, discuss them with your doctor. Vaccinations save lives and your doctor is happy to answer any questions.

If any concerns were raised during the visit, your doctor may schedule a follow-up either with themselves or a specialist. For example, stubborn rashes may lead to a recommendation to visit a skin allergist or a dermatologist.

Contact Y.H. Parikh & Associates to set up a well child visit for your baby today.