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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEWBORN!
From the moment of birth, parents often wonder, "Is my baby OK”? You’ll ask this question again and again as your baby grows from infant to toddler to teen. All babies are born with different strengths and abilities, and no other baby will develop exactly like yours. Health, personality, and early experiences are important to your baby’s development; family, community, and cultural traditions also play important roles. We have put together the Well Visit section of the website to help you anticipate what the visit will be like and answer some of the questions you are likely to have about your child. We hope it will be a source you rely on often and guides you well in the years ahead.
Pre-Visit Questionnaires
Please complete the following forms before the visit and upload to the portal as able.
Vaccinations for this visit
○ Recommended vaccinations for parents & caregivers: TDAP and influenza (seasonal)
○ Recommended vaccines for your child (if not given at birth): Hepatitis B
What to Expect from your 2 week old baby
Feeding
Breastfeeding is optimal: Breastmilk is best for your new baby. Breastmilk is easy to digest and has just the right nutrients. It is so good that all the formula companies continue to study and imitate it as best they can. Breast milk can help prevent infections, allergies, and even diabetes. A nurse, doctor, or breastfeeding consultant can answer your questions and help you get started. Start vitamin D drops (400 IU) once a day for your baby if her main nutrition is breast milk.
Bottle feeding: If you choose to bottlefeed your baby, be sure to feed pumped breast milk or formula that is iron fortified. We do not recommend one brand over another as all formulas are required to meet a high standard set by the FDA with regards to calories and nutrition. When you feed your infant, hold her so that she is partly sitting and not lying flat. Just because you are formula feeding does not mean your child is going to be unhealthy; in fact most infants who bottle feed grow and develop just as well as their breastfed peers.
Warming milk, room temperatures is just fine: Do not warm breastmilk, formula, or baby foods in a microwave oven. The milk or food may overheat and burn your baby’s mouth. Room temperature is just fine, so save the time of warming the milk and spend it with your child!
Recognizing feeding Cues: Your baby will start to make smacking sounds with her mouth, bring her hands to her face and turn to the side (rooting) when she is hungry. Crying is a late hunger cue! Stop feeding your baby when she seems full. You’ll know she’s had enough when she turns her head away from the nipple, closes her mouth, or seems to lose interest in sucking.
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Sleep
Help your baby fall asleep: During the first week, your baby might be very sleepy at first, and then start becoming wide awake, even at times when you don’t want her to. Respond to cues that your baby is sleepy or overtired; help your baby settle down for sleep by holding and rocking her.
Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): All infants should be put to sleep on their backs – all other sleep positions are associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The sleep area should be devoid of any soft puffy blankets, pillows or other objects that could contribute to suffocation. Co-sleeping or having the baby sleep in the bed with you is discouraged because of its strong association with SIDS as well.
Avoid Plagiocephaly: Remember to change your baby’s sleep position to encourage her to not always turn her head the same direction. Sleeping and resting with one side of the head down more often can lead to a condition called plagiocephaly, or more commonly known as a "flat head." The skull which continues to mold partly based on pressure placed against it will develop flat areas if an infant lies predominantly on that side.
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Crying & Soothing
You will likely begin to notice that your infant will cry to express her needs and feelings (hungry, wet, tired, lonely, in discomfort). There may be some guesswork and trial and error figuring out what she needs – don’t worry as this is normal! Also realize that you will not “spoil” your infant by responding to these cries, she needs your help at this point even with soothing.
Hold, rock, and softly sing or talk to your baby to help comfort her.
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Development & Activity
Eye movements & Vision: You baby will begin to focus on moving objects 8-14 inches away. He will prefer faces to other objects, so look at him during meals, and practice moving you head side to side to see if his eyes follow you. This exercise will help build eye muscles.
Smiling: You may begin to notice reflexive smiles while he sleeps.
Head & Neck Strength: Tummy time should be allowed as frequently as possible and always observed. It allows time for development of neck and upper body muscles and coordination and also helps combat plagiocephaly or flattening of the back of the head.
Muscle planning: Help her play with toys. Give her a rattle to shake, blocks to stack or knock over, a stuffed animal to reach for. These games help your baby develop muscle control.
Nuturing to thrive: Play with your baby. Find ways to rock, bounce, and sway her gently. This will help her learn to control her head and body and build her strength. Never shake your baby. Shaking your baby can cause serious injury or death.
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Safety Recommendations
Car seat safety: Use a car safety seat in the back seat every time your child rides in the car. Carefully attach the car seat to the back seat according to the manufacturer’s directions. Never place your baby’s safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. The back seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride.
Back to sleep: Always put your baby to sleep on her back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Think “back to sleep” to help you remember. Do not put blankets, comforters, pillows, or toys in the crib. They could cover her face if she rolls over. Keep her room temperature comfortable but not too warm.
Crib safety: Check that the bars of her crib are less than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a playing card) apart. The space between the mattress and the crib frame should be less than two fingers wide. When your baby is in the crib, always keep the sides of the crib all the way up.
Safety while Awake: Never leave your baby unattended when she is awake. If you need to use the bathroom or leave the room briefly, play her in the crib to make sure she is safe.
Water temperature for bathing: Set the temperature of your household water heater below 120ºF. Before you put your baby in the bath, put your wrist in the water to make sure it’s not too hot.
Sun Exposure: When you take your baby outside, keep her out of direct sunlight. Don’t use sunscreen until she’s 6 months old. Put a brimmed hat on her head.
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