Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

How often does the baby need to see the doc in the first 6 months to a year??

If I discuss my preferences with a doc, I want to make sure that these plans are executed according to my wishes at the hospital.

Wondering if I should just pick a doc in Manhattan.

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

With my pediatrician the schedule was as follows

2 days after we came home
1 month
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months


That is IF you vaccinate on schedule. If you choose to delay/split the amount given at one time, you may have to go back for more visits.

I will tell you that my doctors visits went like this

2 days after we came home

2 weeks later - cold
2 days later - chest check
2 days later - chest check

1 month

2 months
1 week later - cold
2 days later - check check

3 months - bronchiolitis
2 days later - check
2 days later - check

and so on ...... I don't think I ever made it to each 'scheduled' appointment without seeing the doctor for some reason or another ... most mommies bring babies in a lot when they are little at the first sign something is off ... and because they are so little, you need to make sure a little cold doesn't turn into something more ...


I hope that helps.

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

thanks-- that is helpful.

In other words-- you want a doc that is not a PITA to get to!!!

But, I am torn because if I am taking the time to select someone i like-- I would want them to examine the baby initially. Nor do I want anyone doing anything to the baby that is against my wishes. I guess you can just put that stuff in your birth plan??

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

you want someone who is convienent in the long haul.

The initial ped visit will be from a hospital staff anyway because the likelyhood of you giving birth while your DC's ped is there doing rounds is slim. So I wouldn't neccessarily pick a ped based on where your hospital is located.

I am not sure what your wishes or concerns are, but I would speak to your OB/GYN or perhaps call the hospital itself on what their policy is for your wishes.

I know I refused the Heb B shot in hospital and had my Ped do it once we were home. I am guessing they asked me and made me sign something, but I cannot remember.

I would think if you wrote something up and handed it over in the midst of labor that might help, but again I am not sure what those concerns are and what your hospitals policies are .... you would have to find out.

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

thanks...

I don't know what my wishes are yet either! I just want to make sure that they don't do anything I don't want done, etc.

I am sure it will be fine-- I just didn't even think about the pediatrician and the first few days... I always looked at it as a more long-term thing, so I am just wondering what the best thing to do is.

I appreciate all of your insight!!

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

Off the top of my head, here are some things that 'might' be done ... the only two I think they 'might' do without your permission is the vitamen K shot and the formula.


Vitamen K shot

Heb B Vaccine

If you choose to breast feed: Feeding Formula first before you get a chance to breast feed (while you are in recovery and baby is in the nursery getting cleaned and checked) and/or feeding formula when baby is in nursery thereafter.

If you have a boy, Circumcision

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

I know the group I see likes to see the baby once a month until they are a year old. The first few months I am not sure if its more often or once a month...its been 5 years!

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

The standard well visit schedule (at least at our office) is

1 month
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months


How soon the baby will see the pediatrician after you go home will depend upon several variables (if baby was late/early, breast or bottle feeding, etc.), so it's best, in my opinion, to follow your pediatrician's lead on that.

You'll want the pediatrician to be easy to get to once you're home. Babies get sick, and during the first year you tend to take them in for lots of things that you wouldn't for older kids.

Good luck!

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

It depends on the Ped, your child's health etc.

If the baby has no issues my ped sees them 2-3 days after they leave the hospital. Then once a month.

If you BF he sees you 2-3 days then 2 weeks then at 1 month, 2 months etc.

DD had colic and reflux and was breast feed so he saw her every two weeks until she was 6 weeks then once a month on the month - so 2 months, 3 months etc.

So it is monthly until the child is 12 months then it is every 3 months for the second year - then not sure what he does from there.

My ped also does visits once a month b.c he splits up the shots as his normal practice - most of my friends children however only went once every 2 months.

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?

Our schedule was a little different.

2 days after we came home
at the end of the first week (to check on a rash)
1 week later (2 week check up)
3 week check up
1 month
2 month
3 month
4 month (this is next week)
6 month

I really liked having weekly appointments in the beginning - it made me feel better.

Office hours/days are a huge factor. My ped will do only 2 well visits on Satrudays - so I book them well in advance. I work in NYC but live on LI so it's virtually impossible to get there during the week for a well visit.

Also, you want to schedule your infants appointments either first thing in the morning or right after the office's lunch hour. That way you'll be the first patient in and won't have to hang around in the waiting room w/ potentially sick kids.

ETA:
The hospital will ask you tons of questions on what you want your baby to have/not have - along w/ having you sign consent forms.
I know there was a form that dealt w/ the Hep B shot that was in my registration packet. So I wasn't under pressure in the hospital to sign it.

Message edited 10/30/2008 11:00:14 AM.

Re: Spinoff to my own post--- What's the initial pediatrician schedule?