Baby's first check-up after birth

New parents? It's time to visit the paediatrician! Baby should have a first medical check-up within two weeks of being born. The paediatrician needs to make sure that baby is healthy and developing normally. Premiers Moments explains everything about baby's first check-up!

When should the first visit to the paediatrician take place?

For a full-term baby, we advise you to book the appointment while you're still at the maternity unit. You'll need to wait until baby is around 15 to 30 days old for their first visit to the paediatrician.

We also recommend preparing the questions you'd like to ask the doctor in advance, so you're sure not to forget anything on the day!

How does the first check-up after birth go?

It's a good idea to leaf through baby's health record book beforehand, so you're informed about important topics such as feeding and care. This way, you'll already have answers to several of your questions.

Then, at the first check-up after the birth, the paediatrician will start by asking you a series of questions to find out how you felt about the birth and your first days with baby.

Next, they'll carry out the Apgar test. This test aims to assess baby's vitality and responsiveness using 5 different parameters: heart rate, response to stimuli, skin colour, muscle tone and breathing.

The paediatrician will look at how baby behaves on the changing table: whether they hold themselves well, or whether baby has a stiff neck, for example.

What needs to be measured?

During this first check-up, the doctor will measure baby's head circumference, length, weight and temperature. They'll record this information in the health record book so they can follow baby's progress month after month.

Our tips for this first check-up!

First of all, listen to baby! Only you can reassure and soothe them. The more stressed you are, the more baby will feel your stress.

We also advise you to use this appointment to plan the upcoming vaccinations baby will need from 2 months old.

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.