Well Baby Visit: 1 Month

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By Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.

"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R. Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals. Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women''s health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists.

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Your first well-baby visit will be about one month after you bring your baby home from the hospital. Your provider will check his weight and height, and offer you advice on how to handle minor illnesses or concerns at home and when to call the doctor.

You're still getting used to life with your baby, so give yourself as much time for this checkup as you can. Bring along whatever you need to keep your baby warm, fed, and contented, and make sure to bring a copy of your newborn's hospital record, if you have it, as well as your insurance card. Remember to register your baby for health insurance, too.

At this visit, your provider will probably:

Weigh and measure your baby to make sure he's growing at a healthy rate. Click here to see our growth chart.

Check that his umbilical cord stump has fallen off and the belly button is healing well. If your baby son was circumcised, your provider will check that this is healing as well.

Give your baby a hepatitis shot if he didn't get one at the hospital or at a previous doctor's visit.

Address any health concerns that he or she notices, such as cradle cap or diaper rash.

Give you some insight into your baby's individual personality and temperament, as well as his development.

Ask you about your baby's sleeping, eating, and elimination patterns ("the "pee-pee" and "poopy" reports).

Your provider will want to know:

Has your baby seen another health care provider since the last visit? If so, why? What was the outcome of that visit, and were any medications or treatments prescribed?

Does your baby hold his head up when you put him on his tummy?

Does he quiet down, at least briefly, when he hears you or when you pick him up?

Does he sleep a little longer during some part of the day or night?

Does he have longer periods when he's alert?

Does he follow you with his eyes, and study your eyes and face when you're close?

Does he respond to your voice or other sounds?

Is he put to sleep on his back? Are his bedding and room appropriate? Click here for more information on SIDS.

Does he watch a mobile above him?

Is he a little fussier at the end of the day? All of these behaviors are expected at this time.

If you are breastfeeding, are you taking any medication or supplements?

Are there any special stresses or changes at home?

Talk It Over

You no doubt have many other concerns. Now's the time to discuss them with your provider. Here are a few common issues:

How is your baby eating and sleeping? Let your provider know how often your baby eats.

Your baby may have a common newborn skin condition, such as cradle cap; your provider can help you understand what it is and how to treat it.

Talk about how siblings and other family members are adjusting.

Ask your provider to show you how to take your baby's temperature. You can also ask the nurse to watch while you take it, and to offer suggestions.

Ask about crying management and comforting techniques. Your baby should respond to being held. Discuss pacifier use as well.

Speak Up!

New parents always have questions. Don't be shy around your health care provider he or she wants to help. For example, you should mention to your health care provider any of the following situations that apply to you: