Checkups

Pediatrician or family physician?

Many parents bring their baby to a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in the health of young children. Other parents prefer a family physician, a doctor who takes care of the whole family, from birth through adulthood. 

Tips for Finding a Doctor for Your Child

• Start looking for a doctor several months before your due date so you have time to make a well-informed choice.
• Find out from other parents you know where they bring their kids and why they like their doctor.
• Ask your obstetrician, midwife, hospital, or insurance company to provide referrals for a pediatrician or family physician.
• Call and make sure the doctor is taking new patients and will accept your health insurance.
• Note which doctors have convenient locations and office hours, and, if you have time, arrange to meet the doctor at his or her office.

Interviewing a New Doctor
Before deciding on a doctor, arrange an interview and meet the pediatrician or family physician in person.

• Here are some questions you can ask:
• Which hospital are you affiliated with?
• Will you come to the hospital to examine my newborn or will the first visit be at the office?
• How do I contact you if my child gets sick and I have questions in the evening or on weekends?
• How long will it take to schedule a non-emergency appointment for my child?
• What is the typical wait time when I arrive for an appointment?
• When you're not on call, who covers for you?
• Do you take my insurance?

During your child's first few years, you'll visit the doctor regularly. Follow your doctor's advice for scheduling well-baby checkups. The schedule varies from doctor to doctor, but generally follows this pattern:

During a checkup, the doctor will examine your baby from head to toe.

• Head:

  Soft spots should be open and flat for the first few months. The spot at the back of the head usually closes by 2-3 months, while the front soft spot closes around 18 months. The doctor will also measure your child's head size.

   

• Ears:

  Doctor will look in both ears for signs of ear infection.

   

• Eyes:

  Doctor will use a bright object or flashlight to track your baby's eye movements and look in the eyes.

   

• Mouth:

  Doctor will check for signs of infection and teething progress.

   

• Heart and Lungs:

  Doctor will place a stethoscope on the front and back of your child's chest to check breathing and heart sounds.

   

• Stomach:

  Doctor will place a hand on your child's abdomen and gently press to make sure all the organs are fine.

   

• Hips and Legs:

  Doctor will move your baby's legs up and down, and in a gentle circular motion to make sure the hips are alright.

   

• Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have about your child.

Doctors use growth charts to track a child's physical growth over time. At each checkup, the doctor or nurse will measure your child's weight, height, and head size, and then compare it to a chart that shows the average for babies that are your child's age and sex. The doctor will then tell you how your child compares to other kids in the same developmental stage using percentiles.

Don't worry too much about the percentiles. Every child is different and will grow at his or her own pace. The most important thing is that your child's growth curve continues to go up or stabilize — and not drop too much.

Vaccines boost kids' immune systems and are the best way to protect them from serious infections and diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, polio, measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough. Side effects are mild and can include swelling where the shot was given, a low fever, or fussiness.

What You Need to Know About Vaccinations

• Don't Wait to Vaccinate
  • Childhood vaccinations are safe and have kept kids healthy for more than 50 years.
  • Kids should receive their first vaccination at birth with the Hepatitis B shot, which protects infants from Hepatitis B, a serious liver disease.
• Stick to the Schedule
  • Many vaccines require several shots over time to fully protect kids from disease. Skipping or delaying shots leaves kids at risk for a longer period of time.
  • Follow your doctor's recommendations for scheduling appointments.
• Keep a Record
  • The first time your child receives a vaccination, you'll get an Immunization Record. Bring this card with you every time your child visits the doctor so it can be updated.
• Comfort Your Child
  • Comfort your child before, during, and after receiving a vaccine shot.
  • Bring your child's favorite toy or book to the doctor's office, sing a song, or tell a story to distract your child while receiving a shot.
• Get Help With Costs
  • If you don't have health insurance that covers children's vaccines, look into programs that provide vaccines for free to eligible children, including the Healthy Families Program and Medi-Cal.