Category Archives: Children’s Health
What to Expect on Your Baby’s First Visit to the Pediatrician
Are you wondering what to expect on your baby’s first visit to the pediatrician? The first visit is generally three or five days after the birth of the baby. So, you might want to research Jacksonville pediatricians beforehand and find an experienced one in your area. The purpose of the pediatrician visit is to make sure that everything is alright with the baby health-wise.
What to expect on your baby’s first visit to the pediatrician
Most Jacksonville pediatricians clinics will allot 25 to 30 minutes for the first visit with your baby. Here is what you can expect:
• After you arrive at the pediatrician’s clinic, you will have to fill out paperwork. You will need to provide insurance information and information about your hospital stay (if you are the mother), the baby’s weight when discharged from the hospital, and your and your family’s medical history.
• When you meet the pediatrician, they will review your hospital stay records and inquire about any issues that cropped up during the pregnancy or the birth. The pediatrician will direct the nurse to weigh the baby naked on a weighing scale. The baby may weigh less than the weight recorded at the hospital. As already mentioned, this is normal. Babies tend to lose about 10% of their body weight in the days following their birth but usually regain it soon. The nurse will also check the baby’s limbs and measure the baby’s head circumference.
• The pediatrician will then examine the baby physically and inquire about the baby’s feeding, elimination, and sleeping patterns. You can give them general information about when the baby breastfeeds and for how long. If you are bottle-feeding the baby, you can inform the pediatrician about the formula you have been using and how much the baby eats. You can mention how often you change the baby and the color and consistency of the stools. It is also necessary to tell them where the baby sleeps and how long to make sure that you are following safe practices.
• Once the pediatrician has finished examining the baby and ascertained that everything is as it should be, you can ask about any other concerns you might have. If you are not sure you will remember everything, take notes. Ask about what do expect development-wise in the coming days or weeks. You can also inquire when you can schedule the next appointment.
Generally, all Jacksonville pediatricians may ask you to bring your baby for at least six wellness checkups in the first year. After visiting when the baby is a newborn, you can next visit when the baby is one month old, two months old, four months old, nine months old, and 12 months old. Even if the frequency of visits may seem excessive, they may be necessary to ensure that your baby has a normal development for the age range.
Tips for making the most out of the pediatrician visit
The following tips may help to facilitate your visits with all Jacksonville pediatricians:
• When scheduling the first visit to the pediatrician, try to get an appointment when the practice is less busy. The clinic will not be as crowded then, and you will not have to wait long in the waiting room before you can see the pediatrician. Additionally, since there are likely to be few people in the waiting room, you will not have to worry about exposing your newborn to any infections.
• Since the pediatrician will need to do a physical examination, dress the baby in loose clothes that are easy to remove. It is a good idea to take with you a clothing change, extra diapers, napkins, and other necessities. You might need them for the baby while you are at the clinic.
• It is advisable to bring your partner or another person with you for the duration of the visit. They can hold the baby while you fill the paperwork or fill it on your behalf. You will also find it more effective to have another person with you when the pediatrician examines the baby. They can remind you of any questions you might forget to ask, and they will also help you later to remember the medical instructions and advice.
Four Mistakes Parents Make at the Pediatric Care Center
As a parent, you undoubtedly want the best available healthcare for your child. You may likely have spent a considerable amount of time researching and selecting the right pediatric care center. You may also have made sure that the pediatrician at Jax pediatrics who treats your child has the proper credentials and specialization to provide up-to-date medical treatment.
Even with the best intentions, however, you could end up making specific mistakes that might not bode well for your child’s overall health. It is essential to be aware of these mistakes and make a conscious effort to avoid them.
Four mistakes parents make at the Jax pediatrics center
Let us consider four common mistakes that many parents make at the pediatric care center:
1. Going to the pediatric care center unprepared
You may be extra-vigilant about rushing your child to the pediatrician for minor ailments, yet, you could forget to go there well-prepared with all the information the pediatrician will need. And that could affect the treatment your child will receive and impact their health. You can avoid making this mistake by maintaining a health file for your child and updating it regularly.
It should contain all the essential details of your child’s medical history, including the illnesses or injuries they have had and any allergies they suffer. It should also include information about the prescription medications they take, any adverse reactions they have had to specific medicines, and so on. And you must take this medical file along every time you take your child to the Jax pediatrics center for a checkup. It will enable the pediatrician to understand your child’s health background and clarify any concerns they might have. With that knowledge, they will be able to find an effective treatment for your child more quickly.
2. Not sharing essential health-related details
While you may be proud of your child, you might hesitate to speak about some of their behavioral traits that bother you. You might be reluctant, for instance, to tell outsiders that your child has finicky eating habits, does not sleep well, does not exercise enough, or is prone to temper tantrums. Many parents think that such behavior reflects on them, so they try to keep it under wraps from outsiders.
It may be necessary, however, for the pediatrician to know about these matters. There might be an underlying health condition that is causing your child to act out. Or such behavior or lifestyle patterns might be the reason your child is continually in ill health. By being upfront with the doctor, you can help them understand what is leading to your child’s health problems. It will enable them to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment plan to help them regain their health.
3. Giving the pediatric insufficient feedback
Providing the pediatrician with insufficient information or incorrect details about how your child responds to the treatment could lead to a health setback. Perhaps the medication they take is ineffective, or your child has had an allergic reaction to it. Whatever it is, the pediatrician needs to know about it at the earliest.
Keep a close eye on your child while the treatment is underway, and note down anything that might seem out of the ordinary. Inform the pediatrician of the exact things you observe and take your child for another check-up. Perhaps a change in medication or the treatment plan could make a crucial difference to your child’s health.
4. Failing to collaborate enough with the pediatric
It is advisable to keep in mind that your child’s pediatrician is also concerned with restoring your child to good health. Since you both have the same end goal, you must collaborate well with them. Any course of action they prescribe for treating your child will have the desired effect only if you are punctilious about following through with their instructions.
If you do not understand anything or have concerns about the treatment, you need to ask the pediatrician to explain in detail. It is advisable to write down your child’s treatment plan and medication schedule and follow through with it strictly. If your child needs regular physical therapy or exercise, make sure that you provide it.