As with all well-child visits, Baby‘s pediatrician or other healthcare provider will use this time to catch up with the two of you, track Baby‘s growth and development, look for new milestones, and talk to you about health and wellness. This appointment in particular might come with a few immunizations.
At the appointment
If Baby didn’t get their second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at their last well-child visit, they will probably get it at this one. It’s likely time for their first dose of the vaccines for diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, rotavirus, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). The immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis will be administered in the same dose, known as DTaP.
Additionally, if Baby was born between October through March and the birthing parent was not immunized against RSV in pregnancy, or if the birthing parent was immunized less than 14 days before the birth, then the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine may be recommended.
The healthcare provider will also be checking on milestones like starting some social smiling, cooing, looking at you, holding their head up when they are being held, and pushing their head up when they are on their tummy. Feeding and sleep are still hot topics, and take quite a while to get comfortable with!
Questions to ask
The best questions to ask are, as always, any questions you’re curious about. You might have a better idea of all the basics, but there’s a lot of nuance to “basic” things like feeding and sleeping. This is dedicated time to learn more about the health of your little one and be an advocate for them. Some things you might ask are:
- How do I establish a routine for things like baths and feedings?
- How much tummy time should Baby get?
- What should I know about finding a babysitter or childcare?
- How can I make sure they are safe as they learn to roll over?
- How do I strengthen the bonds my partner and I have with Baby?
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
A note on vaccines
Ovia Health by Labcorp is committed to providing evidence-based guidance and supporting families with trusted health information. Recent shifts and changes to vaccination recommendations and schedules for pregnant women, children, and infants have raised questions about the safety and efficacy.
We continue to follow the guidance of leading medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians about vaccination safety and continued use. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to advise you on vaccination safety for pregnant women, infants, children, and the broader public.
Sources
- “AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits.” HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 18, 2015. Web.
- “Well-child visits.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. February 5, 2015. Web.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “AAP Immunization Schedule.” 2026. Web https://publications.aap.org/redbook/resources/15585/AAP-Immunization-Schedule
