If you are anticipating that first check-up but aren’t quite
sure what to expect, then keep reading!
Revving up the motor skills!
The first thing your doctor should ask you is whether or not you
have noticed any development or improvement in motor skills. This means, have you seen him/her lifting
their chin off the floor when they lie on their bellies. Or, are they able to place their fingers into
their mouth to sooth their crying. You
also need to note how often these things happen. Of course, your doctor won’t expect a timed
and dated log, but a general idea would be nice.
Checking them from head to toe.
Your doctor will want to peek, poke, prod, and otherwise
scrutinize your little one quite literally from head to toe.
He/She has to be sure that there are no unusual marks,
formations, or warning signs that anything else may be wrong. But don’t fret. These are routine examinations. Chances are your baby is one healthy little
ball of joy. But it is always better to
be safe than sorry.
Head (1) First come the
fontanels. The what? Ok, the soft spots… the spaces where your
child’s skins and tissue don’t yet blend with their still flexible bones. It is important that your doctor check these
to be sure they are growing together at the proper rate of speed. An average, healthy baby will be pretty much
through with this process at about 12 – 18 months of age.
Ears (2) While most babies
have their hearing checked at birth, the doctor will want to check now for
fluid retention with something called an otoscope. And, just to be thorough,
he/she may have you test your baby’s hearing/response time by using the sound
of your voice.
Eyes (3) This is one of the
fun portions of the exam, at least for baby anyway. The doctor will be on the lookout for obstructed
or discharge filled tear ducts. To do
this, as well as monitor their eye movements, he/she will play a little game of
laser tag with your little one with something called an opthamaloscope. Your baby will most likely be delighted at
the little light shining across their nose and around the table.
Mouth (4) Next it’s time to
discuss drooling, teething, and other ‘fun’ topics. Your doctor will be looking for something
called thrush in your baby’s mouth. This
is a common form of yeast infection in infants that typically appears as white
bumps along their tongue and gums.
Skin (5) This one is fairly
simple and straightforward. Does your
child have any unexplained rashes, poorly healing scrapes, or abnormalities of
any kind? If not, then you are good to
go as far at their skin is concerned!
Heart and lungs (6)
As with adult check-ups, the doctor will want to listen to your child’s
breathing through a stethoscope. Be
aware, however, that your doctor may hear a slight murmur in your little one’s
heart rhythm. This is extremely common,
and doesn’t necessarily signify a problem.
There is truly no need to be alarmed.
Abdomen (7) Now the poking and prodding ensues. Why all the fuss? What can it really tell you? Well, if you know what you are feeling for,
as your doctor should, feeling lightly in specific areas can tell you which
organs are bloated, if any. Depending on
which ones, bloated organs can mean many different things. One common problem among infants is something
called and umbilical hernia. This is a
condition in which a small portion of the intestines begin the poke through the
abdominal wall. Detecting this early on
can help you and your baby avoid any unnecessary pain and/or
complications. However, you should feel
reassured to know that most situations like that correct themselves by age two.
Hips and legs (8)
Your doctor will now begin checking for squeaky wheels, so to speak. Joint movements should not hurt your
baby. If he/she begins to express any
discomfort while your doctor is manually moving his/her joints for them, there
may be an issue there.
Genitals (9) Looking out for bumps and lumps is the best
way to prevent problems at any age. Your
doctor will specifically check for discharge in little girls, and fluid filled
sacs near the testes in little boys.
This is also routine.
The dreaded shots…
Sometimes painful, but always necessary, this first check-up
will end with your baby’s first round of immunizations. Here in America
What to expect:
Afterwards he/she may develop a low grade fever. This should not alarm you, as your doctor
will undoubtedly tell you. It is a
common reaction to the enzymes and chemicals that have just been introduced
into your little one’s system. Other
symptoms may include mild lethargy and a loss of appetite. And, of course, he/she may want to cry and get
a few hugs from mom and dad. All of
these, however, will fade in about a day.
This first check up may actually be more stressful for you than
the baby, but they will protect your child from harmful things in the future,
and are simply a must for every good parent.
This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog
writer extraordinaire!
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