Well Child Visit for Newborns WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a well child visit? A well child visit is when your child sees a healthcare provider to prevent health problems. Well child visits are used to track your child's growth and development. It is also a time for you to ask questions and to get information on how to keep your child safe. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them. Your child should have regular well child visits from birth to 17 years. What development milestones may my newborn reach? Respond to sound, faces, and bright objects that are near him or her Grasp a finger placed in his or her palm Have rooting and sucking reflexes, and turn his or her head toward a nipple React in a startled way by throwing his or her arms and legs out and then curling them in What can I do when my baby cries? These actions may help calm your baby when he or she cries: Hold your baby skin to skin and rock him or her, or swaddle him or her in a soft blanket. Gently pat your baby's back or chest. Stroke or rub his or her head. Quietly sing or talk to your baby, or play soft, soothing music. Put your baby in his or her car seat and take him or her for a drive, or go for a stroller ride. Burp your baby to get rid of extra gas. Give your baby a soothing, warm bath. What do I need to know about feeding my newborn? The following are general guidelines. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about feeding your newborn: Feed your newborn only breast milk or formula for 4 to 6 months. Do not give your newborn anything other than breast milk. He or she does not need water or any other food at this age. Your baby may let you know when he or she is ready to eat. He or she may be more awake and may move more. He or she may put his or her hands up to his or her mouth. He or she may make sucking noises. Crying is normally a late sign that your baby is hungry. Feed your newborn 8 to 12 times each day. He or she will probably want to drink every 2 to 4 hours. Wake your baby to feed him or her if he or she sleeps longer than 4 to 5 hours. If your newborn is sleeping and it is time to feed, lightly rub your finger across his or her lips. You can also undress him or her or change his or her diaper. At 3 to 4 days after birth, your newborn may eat every 1 to 2 hours. Your newborn will return to eating every 2 to 4 hours when he or she is 1 week old. Your newborn will give you signs when he or she has had enough to drink. Stop feeding him or her when he or she shows signs that he or she is no longer hungry. He or she may turn his or her head away, seal his or her lips, spit out the nipple, or stop sucking. Your newborn may fall asleep near the end of a feeding. If this happens, do not wake him or her. What do I need to know about breastfeeding my newborn? Breast milk has many benefits for your newborn. Your breasts will first produce colostrum. Colostrum is rich in antibodies (proteins that protect your baby's immune system). Breast milk starts to replace colostrum 2 to 4 days after your baby's birth. Breast milk contains the protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, and minerals that your newborn needs to grow. Breast milk protects your newborn against allergies and infections. It may also decrease your newborn's risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Find a comfortable way to hold your baby during breastfeeding. Ask your healthcare provider for more information on how to hold your baby during breastfeeding. Your newborn should have 6 to 8 wet diapers every day. The number of wet diapers will let you know that your newborn is getting enough breast milk. Your newborn may have 3 to 4 bowel movements every day. Your newborn's bowel movements may be loose. Do not give your baby a pacifier until he or she is 4 to 6 weeks old. The use of a pacifier at this time may make breastfeeding difficult for your baby. Get support and more information about breastfeeding your newborn. American Academy of Pediatrics 141 Northwest Point Boulevard Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098 Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000 Web Address: http://www.aap.org La Leche League International 957 North Plum Grove Road Schaumburg , IL 60173 Phone: 1- 847 - 519-7730 Phone: 1- 800 - 525-3243 Web Address: http://www.lalecheleague.org What do I need to know about feeding my baby formula? Ask your healthcare provider which formula to feed your newborn. Your newborn may need formula that contains iron. The different types of formulas include cow's milk, soy, and other formulas. Some formulas are ready to drink, and some need to be mixed with water. Ask your healthcare provider how to prepare your newborn's formula. Hold your newborn upright during bottle-feeding. You may be comfortable feeding your newborn while sitting in a rocking chair or an armchair. Hold your baby so you can look at each other during feeding. This is a way for you to bond. Put a pillow under your arm for support. Gently wrap your arm around your newborn's upper body, supporting his or her head with your arm. Be sure your baby's upper body is higher than his or her lower body. Do not prop a bottle in your newborn's mouth or let him or her lie flat during feeding. This may cause him or her to choke. Your newborn will drink about 2 to 4 ounces of formula at each feeding. Your newborn may want to drink a lot one day and not want to drink much the next. Wash bottles and nipples with soap and hot water. Use a bottle brush to help clean the bottle and nipple. Rinse with warm water after cleaning. Let bottles and nipples air dry. Make sure they are completely dry before you store them in cabinets or drawers. How do I burp my newborn? Burp your newborn when you switch breasts or after every 2 to 3 ounces from a bottle. Burp him or her again when he or she is finished eating. Your newborn may spit up when he or she burps. This is normal. Hold your baby in any of the following positions to help him or her burp: Hold your newborn against your chest or shoulder. Support his or her bottom with one hand. Use your other hand to pat or rub his or her back gently. Sit your newborn upright on your lap. Use one hand to support his or her chest and head. Use the other hand to pat or rub his or her back. Place your newborn across your lap. He or she should face down with his or her head, chest, and belly resting on your lap. Hold him or her securely with one hand and use your other hand to rub or pat his or her back. How should I lay my newborn down to sleep? It is very important to lay your newborn down to sleep in safe surroundings. This can greatly reduce his or her risk for SIDS. Tell grandparents, babysitters, and anyone else who cares for your newborn the following rules: Put your newborn on his or her back to sleep. Do this every time he or she sleeps (naps and at night). Do this even if your baby sleeps more soundly on his or her stomach or side. Your newborn is less likely to choke on spit-up or vomit if he or she sleeps on his or her back. Put your newborn on a firm, flat surface to sleep. Your newborn should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or cradle that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Do not let him or her sleep on pillows, waterbeds, soft mattresses, quilts, beanbags, or other soft surfaces. Move your baby to his or her bed if he or she falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, or swing. He or she may change positions in a sitting device and not be able to breathe well. Put your newborn to sleep in a crib or bassinet that has firm sides. The rails around your newborn's crib should not be more than 2⅜ inches apart. A mesh crib should have small openings less than ¼ of an inch. Put your newborn in his or her own bed. A crib or bassinet in your room, near your bed, is the safest place for your baby to sleep. Never let him or her sleep in bed with you. Never let him or her sleep on a couch or recliner. Do not leave soft objects or loose bedding in his or her crib. His or her bed should contain only a mattress covered with a fitted bottom sheet. Use a sheet that is made for the mattress. Do not put pillows, bumpers, comforters, or stuffed animals in his or her bed. Dress your newborn in a sleep sack or other sleep clothing before you put him or her down to sleep.