Mom guilt, we all have it. And 99% of the time, it is unwarranted. One of the things I commonly see when first-time moms bring their newborns for their first pediatrician visit is that they have forgotten something. Something gets left behind, whether it is the diapers, the pacifier, or the hospital paperwork. And you see mom guilt written all over their poor, tired faces, and you just want to hug them and say, “It’s okay, you are not alone.”
Don’t fret; I’m here to give you a helpful checklist of the key items to bring to your first pediatrician visit:
1. Hospital Paperwork
This is great information for us because it helps eliminate many of the mundane questions we need to ask, but we don’t want to waste time asking when we would much rather talk about feeding and poop. Bringing that packet helps us to know that there were no concerns during pregnancy or delivery. And that the baby doesn’t have risk factors for jaundice, that they passed the hearing screen, and so much more.
Speaking of paperwork, some moms like to chart every feed, every wet and dirty diaper, and then bring that to the first pediatrician visit. This is great if you have it and fine if you do not. (see the best baby tracking apps)
Most of the time, the baby will not yet have been placed on your insurance, but bring along your card, and then in a few weeks, the baby will be added, and we’ll update any info after that.
2. Baby Stuff
You’ll want to have a few items in your baby’s diaper bag. It’s always great to have a few diapers because they go through those things like lightening some days. Wipes, a change of clothes, a pacifier if you are using one, a bottle and formula if you have been using them, and a blanket to keep them warm since we usually will weigh and examine them undressed.
3. Questions
Your first pediatrician visit is a prime opportunity to ask every question you have, and you’ll have plenty! This is where we want to hear how feeding is going, how much sleep you and baby are getting, is the baby too gassy or colicky, and all the other million and one things you have running through your brain day and night since day one. We understand first-time, second-time, and fourth-time moms, and we welcome all questions. And we will have our own questions about where the baby is sleeping, are they sleeping on their back, are you waking them up to eat, are they peeing and pooping, and the list goes on.
Well, hopefully, that covered it! And don’t worry, we will usually see you and baby again one week from this visit. If you forgot anything or I forgot to ask or advise anything during this visit, we’ll go over it at the next.
