Doctor Time for You and Baby: A Guide to Healthcare and Wellness Visits

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Having a new baby means lots of doctor visits! Both you and your little one need checkups to stay healthy. This guide will help you keep track of all these important visits and why they matter.

Your Baby’s Doctor Visits

Well-Baby Checkups

Your baby will see the doctor a lot in the first few years. Here’s when they usually go:

  • 3-5 days after birth
  • 1 month old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 24 months old (2 years)
  • 30 months old
  • 3 years old

At these visits, the doctor will:

  • Weigh and measure your baby
  • Check how your baby is growing and learning
  • Give vaccines to keep your baby safe from sickness
  • Answer your questions about feeding, sleeping, and growing
  • Make sure your baby can see and hear well

Sick Visits

Sometimes babies get sick between checkups. Call the doctor if your baby:

  • Has a fever
  • Won’t eat
  • Cries a lot more than usual
  • Has trouble breathing
  • Has a rash
  • Seems very sleepy or hard to wake up

It’s always better to call if you’re worried! That’s what doctors are there for.

Your Healthcare After Having a Baby

You need checkups too! Your body did an amazing thing and needs care.

Your Postpartum Checkup

You’ll usually see your doctor about 6 weeks after having your baby. At this visit, the doctor will:

  • Check how your body is healing
  • Talk about birth control if you want it
  • See how you’re feeling emotionally
  • Answer questions about sex, pain, or body changes
  • Make sure any stitches or cuts are healing right

Your Emotional Health Checks

Having a baby can bring big feelings. Your doctor should ask about your mood at your visits. If they don’t ask, you can tell them how you’re feeling. It’s important to speak up if you:

  • Feel sad most days
  • Worry all the time
  • Have scary thoughts
  • Feel very angry often
  • Don’t enjoy things you used to like

These could be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, which many parents get and can be treated!

Dental Care Matters Too

Both you and baby need healthy teeth and gums!

For You:

  • Keep brushing and flossing, even when you’re tired
  • See your dentist for regular cleanings
  • Tell your dentist if your gums bleed more after having a baby

For Baby:

  • Clean gums with a soft cloth even before teeth come in
  • First dental visit should happen by their first birthday or when first tooth appears
  • Ask your doctor about fluoride for baby’s teeth

Tips for Making Doctor Visits Easier

Going to so many appointments can be hard! Here are some ideas to help:

Before the Visit:

  • Write down your questions so you don’t forget
  • Schedule visits for your baby’s best time of day if you can
  • Bring an extra diaper, snack, and toy
  • Put appointments on your calendar right away

During the Visit:

  • Speak up if you don’t understand something
  • Ask the doctor to explain again if needed
  • Be honest about how things are going at home
  • Remember there are no “stupid questions”

After the Visit:

  • Put the next appointment on your calendar right away
  • Follow any instructions the doctor gave you
  • Call if you have questions you forgot to ask
  • Keep all papers in one folder or take pictures of them with your phone

How to Remember All These Appointments

It’s a lot to keep track of! Try these ideas:

  • Use your phone calendar and set reminders
  • Put a big calendar on your fridge
  • Ask the doctor’s office to send you text reminders
  • Schedule the next visit before you leave the office
  • Try to use the same day of the week for appointments to create a pattern

When Money or Time Is Tight

Healthcare is important but can be expensive or hard to get to. If you’re having trouble:

  • Ask about sliding scale payments (paying what you can afford)
  • Look into Medicaid or CHIP for your child
  • See if your area has mobile health clinics
  • Ask about telehealth visits you can do from home
  • Check if your doctor has evening or weekend hours
  • See if there’s a bus route to the clinic or hospital

Taking Care of Yourself Is Taking Care of Your Baby

Remember, your health matters too! When you take care of your own body and mind, you can be a better parent. It’s like on airplanes when they say to put on your own oxygen mask first.

Don’t skip your own doctor visits. Your baby needs you to be healthy and strong!

You’re Doing a Great Job!

Keeping up with all these appointments while caring for a baby is a big job. Every visit you make happens because you’re a caring parent who wants the best for your family.

Even if you miss an appointment sometimes or get behind on checkups, you can always get back on track. Your healthcare team wants to help you and your baby stay healthy and happy!

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Westchester County Resources

Doctor Time for You and Baby: A Guide to Healthcare and Wellness Visits

Westchester County Department of Health – Maternal and Child Health Services

Provides information and referrals regarding prenatal care, infant health, immunizations, and child wellness programs.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

Offers nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, growth monitoring, and referrals to healthcare providers for pregnant women, infants, and young children.

Children’s Health and Research Foundation

Provides free developmental screenings and educational programs for families with young children.

Early Intervention Program – Westchester County Department of Health

Provides evaluations and services for children from birth to age three who may have developmental delays or disabilities.

Services include:

Help Me Grow Westchester

Connects families with:

Open Door Family Medical Center

Provides comprehensive healthcare services for children and adults, including:

  • Pediatric care
  • Prenatal care
  • Women’s health services
  • Immunizations
  • Behavioral health services

Locations throughout Westchester County.

Westchester Medical Center – Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

Provides specialized pediatric care, emergency services, and pediatric specialists.

The Parent Child Center at White Plains Hospital

Provides support for expecting and new parents through:

  • Childbirth education
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Parenting classes
  • Postpartum resources
  • Website: https://www.wphospital.org
  • Phone: (914) 681-1225

Family Services of Westchester

Offers maternal mental health support, counseling, and family wellness programs.

United Way of Westchester and Putnam – Hudson Valley 2-1-1

Provides referrals to:

  • Pediatricians
  • OB/GYN providers
  • Mental health services
  • Health insurance assistance
  • Parenting programs
  • Dial 2-1-1
  • Website: https://www.hudson211.org
  • Phone: (800) 899-1479

Bibliography

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). HealthyChildren.org: Well-Child Visits. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). Postpartum Care and Women’s Health. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Child Development and Well-Child Visits. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov

Help Me Grow National Center. (2024). Developmental Monitoring and Family Resources. Retrieved from https://helpmegrow.org

New York State Department of Health. (2024). Early Intervention Program. Retrieved from https://health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention

Westchester County Department of Health. (2024). Maternal and Child Health Services. Retrieved from https://health.westchestergov.com

Westchester Medical Center Health Network. (2024). Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Services. Retrieved from https://www.wmchealth.org

White Plains Hospital. (2024). Parent and Child Programs. Retrieved from https://www.wphospital.org

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided by our nonprofit is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns. We make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the information and are not liable for any decisions made based on it. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical care.

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