Your baby: the check-ups

YOU and your baby’s doctor are going to become good friends during the first year of your child’s life, because most paediatricians recommend six doctors’ visits by the time your baby turns one.

But what should you expect from those visits? Here is a checklist of what you should expect during your baby’s visits to the doctor.

Month one

* Weigh and measure baby to make sure she is growing at a healthy rate.

* Offer lots of breast-feeding support. If you aren’t breast-feeding, you should not change formulas without consulting the paediatrician first. No other foods or solids are necessary until the baby is five to six months old.

* Check that the cord has fallen off and the belly button is healing well. If your baby is a boy and he was circumcised, the doctor will examine his penis. If your son wasn’t circumcised, don’t try to retract the foreskin to clean underneath it; it is not retractable until the child is age four or so.

* Check for hip placement and other joint abnormalities.

* Review skin care and diaper-area care.

* Give your baby relevant shots.

* Screen your baby for possible vision or hearing problems.

* Ask you about your general family well-being and adjustment. Do you need assistance with other children? Are you suffering from postpartum depression? Do you want help finding day care? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your paediatrician can help.

* Review when you should call the office for advice; the symptoms of illness in your baby that indicate you should seek care; and how to reach the doctor on call for urgent care and emergencies.

Month two

* Relevant immunisations

* Address health concerns (cradle cap, baby acne, and diaper rash are common at this age).

* Answer any questions you may have about breast-feeding or formula.

* Give you insight into your baby’s development, temperament, and behaviour. Most babies are beginning to develop a routine at this age, and sometimes parents just need to know what is normal.

Month three to four

* Measure baby’s head size to make note of her brain growth.

* Give relevant shots

* Address any health concerns that the doctor notices (constipation, colds, and the flu are common at this age)

* Identify ways of setting up a bedtime routine to help you and your baby get more sleep.

Month six

* Weigh and measure baby to make sure she’s growing at a healthy, steady rate

* Give relevant immunisations and boosters

* Address any concerns you may have about your baby’s health.

* Help you figure out a plan to teach your baby to sleep through the night

* Talk about introducing solids into your baby’s diet.

Month nine

* Weigh and measure baby to make sure she’s growing at a healthy, steady rate. If she has slowed down a little, that’s OK–most babies do at this age as they settle into a long-term growth pattern.

* Give relevant immunisations

* Discuss general safety issues, such as car-seat safety, childproofing your home, and poison control.

* Evaluate baby’s weight. Babies this age are generally plump and round, with extra chins and folds in their thighs.

* Check your baby’s nonverbal communication. Does your baby point at objects? Between the ages of nine and 12 months, most babies start pointing at things that catch their attention, such as dogs and toys.

* Assess your baby’s awareness skills.

Month 12

* Give relevant immunisations.

* Address any of your concerns about baby’s health, including how to treat coughs, cuts, bumps, and falls.

* Check baby’s teeth. Many babies this age have developed two or three teeth. Your baby may suffer from red, swollen, and tender gums when her teeth are erupting; your doctor can suggest ways to soothe them.

* Make sure baby is continuing to learn new skills and not losing old ones.

* Discuss language development. Most babies have learned at least three words by one. Your baby should respond to her

own name.

* Assess baby’s social skills. Most one-year-olds enjoy playing games with others. Your child will imitate everyday actions such as sweeping the floor and brushing his hair and will be exuberant and curious most of the time. He will probably seek out interaction with familiar people but will be anxious when he’s separated from you or when around strangers.

* Assess baby’s motor skills.

* Check baby’s vision and hearing.