Infant’s First Office Visit

Depending on your infant’s weight, feeding ability, level of risk for jaundice and other factors, the first office visit usually occurs within the first three days after discharge for breastfed infants and one week after discharge for formula fed infants. At the first office visit, we will measure your infant’s weight, length and head circumference. If your child did not receive the Hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital, we will recommend that one be administered at the first visit. Your pediatrician will interview you to assess feeding, urine and stool output and sleeping patterns, and to address your concerns and questions. In order to make the most of this important visit, it’s helpful to write down questions at home as they occur to you and bring them to your appointment.

What to bring to the first office visit

• photo identification and mom’s insurance card until the child has his or her own card. Remember to add your child to your health insurance plan by 30 days of life.
• any discharge papers that were given to you at the hospital including copies of medical records, verification of immunization and hearing screen, bilirubin/jaundice papers
• a written log of your child’s feeding schedule and wet and dirty diapers during the first few days after discharge