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Well-baby exam: What to expect during routine checkups
Your baby's immunizations
Your baby will need various immunizations at well-baby visits. During each injection, hold your baby close. Softly sing a familiar song or whisper reassuring words. Offer a pacifier, blanket or other comfort object. Your presence and calm reassurance can help your baby feel secure. Your baby may experience mild side effects from the vaccines, such as redness, pain or swelling at the injection site. Ask the doctor what to expect.
Unless your baby has special needs or concerns, lab tests aren't needed at most well-baby exams.
Time to talk
During the appointment, your baby's doctor will ask how things are going. Be ready to describe a typical day with your baby. How many hours does your baby sleep during the day? At night? How often do you feed your baby? If you're breast-feeding, are you having any trouble? How active is your baby? How is your baby's temperament? How many diapers does your baby wet and soil in a day? In addition, your baby's doctor may ask questions about your family's home life and medical history.
The doctor may discuss safety issues, such as placing your baby to sleep on his or her back and using a rear-facing infant car seat. As your baby becomes more mobile, the doctor may give you tips for baby-proofing your home. Although breast milk or formula will be the main part of your baby's diet throughout the first year, you'll also talk about when to introduce solid foods.
Undoubtedly, you'll have questions, too. Ask away! Nothing is too trivial when it comes to caring for your baby. Also, remember your own health. If you're feeling depressed, stressed out or rundown, describe what's happening. Your baby's doctor is there to help you, too.
Heading home
Make sure you know when to schedule your baby's next appointment — and how to reach the doctor in the meantime. Ask if the doctor's office or clinic offers a 24-hour nurse information service. Knowing help is available when you need it can offer peace of mind.
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- Bringing baby home: How to prepare for the arrival of your newborn. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/delivery-beyond/Pages/Bringing-Baby-Home.aspx. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
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- How safe are vaccines? American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/How-Safe-are-Vaccines.aspx. Accessed Feb. 16, 2010.
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- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 3, 2010.
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