Are you preparing to invite a little one into the world? Dr. Errol Douglas and our team at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD explain the importance of newborn care appointments below.

Quick Guide to Newborn Care Appointments in Rockville, MD

Many tasks come with the blessing of being a parent to a new baby. One of these tasks is keeping newborn appointments, as they are essential to your little one’s health and wellbeing. This guide walks you through why they’re so critical and other facts you need to know.

Why Are Newborn Appointments So Important?

Your baby is going to do a lot of growing and developing during its first year of life. It’s essential to make sure that these changes are happening as they should. If they’re not, a pediatrician can detect any potential issues and develop a care plan to address them. 

How Many Newborn Care Appointments Will My Baby Need? 

The first year is full of visits to the pediatrician, starting with the first week of their life. They’ll see a pediatrician while in the hospital, but they’ll also need to see one within two or three days of leaving the hospital to make sure everything is going well. After this initial appointment, they’ll need to have wellness checkups at two weeks old, one month old, two months old, four months old, six months old, nine months old, and again at 12 months.

What Happens During These Appointments?

Your baby will receive an exam that includes checking their vital signs, as well as their health and weight. Their physical, mental, and emotional growth and development will be tracked and compared to expectations for that age.

Vaccinations will also be given at their wellness appointments, as needed. These vaccinations are available to help protect your little one from illnesses and diseases that could potentially be life-threatening.

Each newborn care appointment is also a great resource for you as a parent. They give you the opportunity to ask questions about anything that might concern you.

Contact Us Today

If you have any questions about newborn care appointments or you’re looking for a pediatrician, call (301) 517-9710 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Douglas at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD.