First Pediatric Appointment

sml1982

Ok so my baby had her first pediatric appointment yesterday and it was very quick. For those of you who are STM or FTM who already have went  to babys first pediatric appt, how was your experience? What did you discuss?

We arrived filled out a few forms and was immediately called to the back. The nurse asked me to strip baby down to her diaper then bring her out to the scale to be weighed. After that she reviewed her discharge paperwork from the hospital and keyed in some information. She then checked her heartbeat with stethoscope and said it sounds good and the doctor would be in shortly. The doctor came in about 1 minute later..she was very friendly but she didnt introduce herself. She immediately began talking to baby and checked her ears, looked her up and down and said she appears to be a healthy baby and to return in 2 weeks. Is that a normal first visit?

mymulligan

At our first PED appt, they did the weight check and length measurement by the nurse. The doctor came in and checked baby over quickly but fully discussed with us his delivery, complications and then talked through what we should expect with him in terms of feeding, sleep, diapers, and development for the next few weeks. When to call if something wasn't "normal" and how often we need to come in for check ups. They also gave us a sheet with all the info and then some. The doc probably spent 20 mins with us?

MaximumEffort

Thats pretrt standard. Our first was a day after discharge because of jaundice, then 2 weeks later. The first was quick, weighed and quick look over. Second was a little longer. Weight, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, felt the head, check out his hips, checked diaper area.  Much of it can be done without the parent aware that things are being checked.  Then we come back in 2 weeks, at the one month appointment there are vaccinations.  

Doctor did ask about bowel movement, wet diapers and feeding. She discussed vitamin D supplents with us ans gave us a sample which is great. 1 drop a day instead of a ml.  

sml1982

@MaximumEffort and @mymulligan Thank you. I wasn't sure what was supposed to happen. I guess at our next visit she will go over more information. I just expected her to check her o2 levels and talk more about the meconium aspiration she suffered from but obviously everything must be all good!

DungeonTrollMel

We haven’t had ours yet, but we did a meet and greet with our pediatrician who basically went through what to expect at the first few visits. She said the one they like to do within a few days of discharge is mostly just to check weight and make sure they are regaining so we expect it to be short 

littlemissc17

My visit was two days after discharge and one nurse checked height and weight while the other nurse went over the delivery and put info into computer. Our ped checked all the things @MaximumEffort described in her second checkup. We go back next week for weight check and next appointment in a month. We also got literature as well. We have a long relationship with our ped since our older girls go there. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions, especially if your LO had issues and you’re not sure what to expect and what to look for. If you don’t feel like you’re getting what you need, you may want to look into a new pediatrician. Ideally, this will be a relationship you have over the next 18 years so you want someone you can trust. 

sml1982

@littlemissc17 Thank you. I will see how the next visit goes. 

fishakris

We also had a very similar experience to the other ladies.  The first check was on the jaundice,  weight,  and general questions. We had a two week visit which covered more. Also to check the belly button.  It was important to me to have a doctor that I can connect with. 

kdl89

Baby had her first check up with our family Dr. Yesterday and it was just the weight, height, a quick look over and any question we might have we don't go back until January. However public health will send a nurse to your house weekly for the month or two if you want too. She does weight and will answer any question she also make sure mom is doing ok. I opted for this cause I think it's great to have someone weekly to ask question to and to check on baby. 

kaitlinliz

We had ours today. We were discharged yesterday. Baby was down 7% when we left hospital. He was down 10% today. Dr asked about delivery, feedings, diapers etc. Did height, weight, head, checked diaper and circumcision. Plus checked jaundice since he was mild. Was sent for another bilirubin (which was fine) and went over supplementing because of weight loss. I go back in tomorrow for another weight check and to see the lactation consultant to get his weight back on track. Mine was rather quick even with all that. Too tired to think of questions at the time so I have questions written down for tomorrow. 

Airynn Chica

Ours was yesterday. It was very similar to the Ped in the hospital. They did weight, height and head circumference. Weight was up .8oz from discharge 2 days ago(7.2oz below birth). The doc listened to her breathing, heart, asked about hospital hearing test, immunizations, and played with her hips. We go back in 2 weeksbut the apt was like 30min max. 

coastalmomma2

Lurking from Sept '17. Sounds like a routine first appointment to me. But, make a list of questions or concerns you have next time and be vocal about addressing them. I've found that an actual list really helps if I'm feeling overwhelmed or intimidated. 

sml1982

@coastalmomma2 thank you. Her 2 week appointment was yesterday and it went much better. The doctor answered all my questions and wasn't so rushed this time

NYTino24

We had doctors from the practice come to check him every day at the hospital and had our first appointment in the office on Thursday. Doc said he had tiny "milk boobs" and expressed a little bit of fluid from LO's nipples. Apparently the hormones in the womb can cause that! Everything else went well, but he measured 1/4
inch shorter because he didn't have a cone head anymore. 

dragonfly87-2

@NYTino24 Our LO was 1.5 inches shorter too at her first appointment. She had major cone head at birth due to the forceps. Interesting on the milk boobs thing, I have never heard of that!