The first few months after my son was born, I was at the pediatrician’s office a lot. Because I spent so much time there, worrying my son might have one ailment or another, I came to be pretty chummy with the doctor, so I laughed when she smiled one day and joked that my son and I were becoming “frequent flyers.”
And then I thought about it, and I never went back.
OK, so I definitely went back, but I did start spacing out the time between visits a little more.
Although you might be like me ““ especially as a first-time parent ““ and visit the pediatrician’s office more frequently, here are the doctor visits you really cannot afford to miss (and will not earn you the “frequent flyer” label for attending!):
1. In the hospital
At the hospital, a pediatrician usually is assigned to check in on your baby to make sure he or she is transitioning to the outside world without problems. Specifically, the pediatrician is checking to make sure the baby can breathe and eat on his or her own, and doesn’t have signs of jaundice.
2. Six to ten days after birth
After your baby is discharged from the hospital, you need to make an appointment with your regular pediatrician for six to ten days after birth. At this stage, a pediatrician’s primary concern is making sure the baby is eating and gaining weight properly.
3. Immunization and development appointments the first year
Starting at one month, your baby will need to be seen for regular immunization and development appointments. These appointments can follow different trajectories, but a common schedule the first year is at one-month, two-month, four-month, six-month, nine-month and 12-month intervals.
The 12-month appointment is a big one, said Dr. John La Count, a pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence location, because parents often have many, many questions about the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine children receive.
Even though the evidence linking the vaccine to autism has been refuted, Dr. La Count said many parents are still playing with fire: “It’s important that families understand that from our perspective, our number one priority is that kids receive immunizations to protect them from diseases, illnesses, even death. Families need to understand that refusing or deferring immunizations hurts not only the child but everyone in the community.”
4. Immunization and development appointments after the first year
After year one, kids will see their pediatrician at 15 months, 18 months and then at age two and every year following. Doctors continue tracking growth and development, and make sure the child is up to date on his or her vaccinations.
5. Dental cleanings
Most pediatricians will encourage parents to take their child to see a dentist between ages 12 months and 24 months, and then continue with dental appointments every six to 12 months after that.
6. Visual screenings
These start ““ and will either be conducted at a pediatrician’s or eye doctor’s office ““ around preschool age, then will be repeated in the early elementary school years because that’s when children typically present with nearsightedness.
“In the primary grades (K-4) is when kids are starting to come home and say they have to squint to see the board,” La Count said. “You don’t want your child to go through a year or two with problems like that because it could lead to additional problems, including behavioral. This is especially true if either parent has glasses.”
Moms, while you’re making appointments for your little one ““ don’t forget about yourself! Learn more about the six appointments you can’t afford to miss.
