David Meuler, MD Pediatrics Cedar Mills Medical Group

November 29, 2011

By the seven or eight month mark of your pregnancy, you should have a pediatrician or family practice physician chosen for your baby. A pediatrician specializes in the care of babies and children. A family practice physician has patients of all ages. Neither is a better choice. Pick the physician you feel most aligns with your current and future parenting needs and philosophies.

It is important to pick a physician you are comfortable with and feel confident with his or her care. Just as everyone has their own style of parenting, physicians all have their own style of practicing medicine. Many physicians are open to meeting before your baby is born so you can tour the office and have questions answered. Asking for referrals from your doctor, family and friends is a great place to start the search for your baby's physician, but don't forget to make sure the physician is covered by your insurance. You can view our physician videos to give you an unscripted look at their respective styles.

Check-ups

Your pediatrician or family practice physician will visit you at Columbia Center and complete an exam of your baby within 24 hours of birth, unless complications arise requiring a more urgent visit. At that hospital visit, the physician may tell you things to expect as your baby adjusts to life outside the womb. Follow-up visits will vary according to your baby's need but often occur within several days of discharge from the hospital and around one or two weeks following birth, then two months, four months, six months, nine months and one year. Growth is so rapid during the first months of life that more frequent visits are necessary to monitor development. In the first year of your baby's life, you can expect to bring your baby into the office for routine check-ups about six to eight times.

Aside from check-ups, when should you call? If something doesn't seem right, call. Your physician will be able to help you decide if you should bring your baby into the office for an exam or treat your baby at home.

Milestones

Especially for new parents, check-ups are a great time to address questions and concerns. At each check-up your baby will be measured and weighed. Your physician will also examine gross and fine motor skills, social, emotional and cognitive milestones. Keep track of the changes you see in your baby at home so you can share them with your physician. Milestones are subtle at first, but you may be surprised at how quickly your baby is changing and adapting. Like growth spurts, your baby will also have developmental spurts. This is why it is important to monitor progress over time rather than by a particular age. Don't be alarmed if a friend or family member's baby picks their head up or rolls over before yours despite being the same age. Trust your instincts and ask as many questions as you need to during the office visits.

Vaccines

Many office visits during your baby's first year will include a vaccination. Though many of these vaccinations are for diseases you don't hear about often, they are still an important part of preventative medicine, saving thousands of lives each year. Some local organizations may even offer free or reduced cost vaccination clinics if they are not fully covered by your insurance. Keep a detailed record of your child's vaccination history to be sure they are up-to-date and properly protected.

Having a physician with whom you are comfortable can take some of the stress out of being a new parent. Knowing that your child's health is in good hands will be reassuring for the coughs, runny noses, bumps and bruises along the way. Parenting is a learning experience, no matter if it's your first or third child, and your physician will be there to help you through each important step.