Moving to a new town comes with a lot of tasks to get done. Not only do you have to get all of your belongings moved, but you have to make changes to your medical care facilities. So, when you get to your new home town, do you know what health care clinics you can rely on for the care of your family? Will you couple your family's healthcare with both a clinic and a PCP? This blog will give you several suggestions about how to manage the changes in your family's healthcare adaptations to ensure you receive the best possible care in your new home town.
Taking your newborn baby to his or her first pediatric doctor's appointment can be extremely stressful, as you don't know what to expect. Luckily, pediatricians are used to dealing with stressed-to-the-max parents and are ready to be with you every single step of the way. However, before stepping foot into the pediatrician's office, there are a few things that you should know and do:
1. Ensure Your Make the Appointment on Time.
Your newborn's first doctor's appointment should be made exactly two weeks after he or she is born. When you call to make this appointment, consider finding out from the office when the slowest part of the day is. The reason for this is because your baby is going to be extremely vulnerable to any illnesses and it is best to avoid as many other patients as possible. Some pediatricians will only schedule well visits at certain times of the day for this reason, or they will have a certain sitting area for well patients.
2. Take Someone With You.
Because this situation can be stressful, it is important that you take someone to the appointment along with you. Make sure that you trust this individual to take care of your baby. This person will come in handy when you are trying to talk to the pediatrician about your baby's health or filling out paperwork and the baby is a bit on the fussy side.
3. Prepare the Diaper Bag.
Don't forget to make sure that you overstock the diaper bag for the appointment. You should pack extra clothes, diapers, bottles, formula, pacifiers (these things seem to disappear left and right!), etc. It is better to have more than not enough! Don't forget to also make sure to dress your newborn in something comfortable and easy to remove since the pediatrician will be doing a full examination.
4. Make a List of Questions to Ask.
Between the time you go home from the hospital to the time of your two-week appointment, write down any questions that pop into your head. No question is a dumb one, remember that. Many of the questions that you have may be answered at this appointment, as the pediatrician will be informing you about sleep patterns, feeding schedules, vaccination schedules and other information that you need to know about taking care of your new bundle of joy. However, if there is anything that you are still concerned about or need answered, do not hesitate to ask. After all, that's why they are there.
While taking care of a newborn may be a bit scary, it isn't something that you have to do alone. Your pediatrician is always there for you.
Share9 January 2017
