Baby’s Routine Check-up: Things New Parents Should Know

When it comes to your baby’s visits to the doctor, it can be tricky keeping track of when the last check-up happened and how your little one is faring. To make it easier for you, we have created a comprehensive schedule of the check-ups and what you can expect from them.

After Birth

 As soon as your baby is born, the doctor may create a medical file that will help monitor your baby’s health and growth. Your baby’s birth weight and height will be entered into this file along with vital signs, basic reflexes, skin colour, responsiveness to sound, alertness, etc. Your baby will also receive his/her first immunisation vaccine of Hepatitis B.

3-5 Days

 Within the first days of your baby’s arrival, the doctor may request a follow-up. They will also administer the first dose Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and give your baby a BCG shot.

1 Month

 A month after your baby is born, it’s time for the next visit to the paediatrician. This time your tiny one will be given a second Hepatitis B vaccine, and the doctor will also do a complete head-to-toe check-up.

2 Months

 Within this time, your baby has started adapting to his/her surroundings. On this visit, the doctor will check your baby’s weight, height and behavioural development. The doctor may conduct a series of tests to analyse your little one’s alertness, movements, actions, etc. A set of vaccines may also be given your baby which include, DTwP/DTaP (pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria), Rotavirus, Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B), IPV (Injectable Polio Vaccine), and PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine).

4 Months

 The pediatrician may request another visit around 4 months. During this visit apart from the general measurements, the doctor may also carry out a haemoglobin screening to check if your baby is showing signs of iron deficiency or anaemia. The second dose of DTwP/DTaP (pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria), Rotavirus, Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B), IPV (Injectable Polio Vaccine), and PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) will also be administered to the baby.

6 Months

This visit, like the ones before, will involve the doctor checking your baby’s motor skills apart from the regular physical examination. They will see if your baby can sit upright without any support. The doctor may even suggest introducing some solid foods in your baby’s diet. Your baby may receive the third dose of DTwP/DTaP (pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria), Rotavirus, Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B), IPV (Injectable Polio Vaccine), and PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine). An influenza vaccine might also get added to the above mix.

9 Months

 Your baby has been in this world for 9 whole months, and s/he is growing fast. Their first tooth might be breaking out at this time, and the doctor may suggest certain soothing techniques to ease the pain. Your baby might also get the final dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine on this visit. 

12 Months

 It’s birthday time, and the visits to the paediatrician are going to reduce considerably. The doctor may perform a complete head-to-toe check of your baby to track their growth. Along with the fourth dose of Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B) and PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine), the doctor may also give your baby the first shot of Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

These regular visits to the paediatrician are an easy and effective way to monitor your baby’s growth and address all your concerns. So, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor any doubts that you may have regarding your baby’s health and wellbeing, even if they sound trivial.