You may have a laundry list of questions that have popped up in the hours and days since your little one entered the world, or you may not have any and might be unsure what questions to ask. Either way, we’ve got you covered with topics and questions to ask a pediatrician at your first visit to get the most out of your appointment.
Pro tip: Keep a list of questions on your phone for easy access at the pediatrician’s appointment. And no concerns are too small or unimportant to ask. These experts are there to partner with you in your baby’s health and development. So ask away!
Food
1. How much should my baby be feeding?
2. How long should each feeding take?
3. How often should my baby take a bottle or breastfeed?
4. If using formula: What’s the best formula for my child?
5. If breastfeeding: Do I need a lactation consultant? If so, any recommendations?
6. Any tips on nipple care for breastfeeding?
7. Is it okay to pump and breastfeed at the same time?
Digestion
1. After eating, the baby seems gassy or upset. What should we do?
2. Our baby seems to spit up a lot after eating. Could it be reflux?
3. Any techniques to burping our baby that would be helpful?
Sleep
1. What’s the best way to soothe baby to sleep?
2. Is it okay to use a pacifier?
3. How often should my baby be sleeping?
4. Where should my baby sleep, and how can we make sure it’s safe?
Diapers
1. How many wet diapers should my baby have each day?
2. How many dirty diapers should my baby have each day?
3. What color and consistency poop should we be looking for?
Weight
1. It looks like our baby has lost weight since birth; is this a concern? Why or why not?
2. If it is a concern, what should we be doing differently?
Vaccines
1. When are the baby’s first vaccines?
2. What side effects can we expect after vaccinations? How should we comfort our baby?
3. How often will baby be scheduled to receive vaccines?
4. Can we discuss specific vaccines and any risk factors to consider?
5. Can we request specific vaccine brands?
6. Is it possible to spread out the vaccines to different appointments? Is it advisable?
Umbilical Cord
1. How long will it take for the cord to fall off?
2. How should we be taking care of the area around the cord?
Circumcision
1. What are the risks and benefits of circumcision?
2. When do you typically do the circumcision?
3. What can we expect after the procedure?
Bath Time
1. How often should we bathe our baby?
2. Where is the safest place to bathe our baby?
3. Any tips on products to use to avoid rashes or irritation?
4. Is lotion recommended after bath time?
Development
1. When should we start tummy time?
2. Why is tummy time important?
3. What things should we be looking for developmentally right now?
Extra Help
1. If we have a concern after office hours, what number do we call?
2. Is a doctor or nurse available for tele-health consultations after hours? If so, how do we access that service?
A Note About New Moms & Mental Health
Women experience a dramatic drop in hormones after giving birth, so it is completely normal to feel out of whack in those first days, weeks and months after having a baby. Sometimes these are simply baby blues that pass as time goes by, but more intense feelings may be postpartum depression and could be dangerous for you and your baby. This happens to many women and is something you should discuss with your OBGYN. While this isn’t a pediatrician concern, it is very important to be in tune with your feelings and emotions during this newborn period and to ask for help when you need it.
RELATED: How to Choose a Doctor for Your Newborn
