What You Need to Know About Newborn Care

There are many things to know about newborn care, including how often your newborn needs a well-visit and what vaccinations need to be administered at certain ages. Selecting a pediatrician who specializes in the care of newborns and children will ensure that your child receives the proper care at crucial stages of development. Here at Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, our pediatricians can tell you everything that you need to know about caring for your newborn.

Well-Visits

Well-visits are regular appointments with your baby’s pediatrician that allow the doctor to monitor your child’s growth and development. During these appointments, the pediatric staff will check a variety of things, including your baby’s weight, height, vital signs, head circumference, and more. The doctor will also provide guidance regarding newborn care during these visits that will give you a chance to ask any questions you might have.

The first time your newborn will be seen by a pediatrician is at the hospital within a day of birth. After that, it is beneficial to take your newborn to your regular pediatrician a few days later when your baby is between three and five days old. Initially, your newborn will need to see the pediatrician every few weeks for a well visit. After that, the pediatrician will expect to see your baby every two to three months. The time between well visits extends once your child reaches about 18 months of age.

Immunization and Vaccinations

One of the most important ways that you can take care of your newborn is to begin immunizations right away. Immunization involves administering vaccinations for a large number of serious or deadly diseases, such as measles, polio, and whooping cough. Vaccines help your baby develop immunity to these conditions. Children who have been vaccinated are protected from contracting a wide range of serious diseases. The pediatricians at our offices in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, can explain the vaccination schedule and answer any questions you have about it.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment at our Bolingbrook office, call (630) 759-9230. For our Downers Grove office, call (630) 852-4551.