18. Maximizing Value from Primary Care Visits

Originally Aired: March 17, 2022

Today, we talk about what to expect from your visits with the pediatrician in the first 6-8 weeks of your baby’s life.  we talked back in episode 8 about how to go about choosing a pediatrician, so if you are still struggling with that decision, please go back and listen to that episode. You will typically have a visit at 3-5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months to get started. There are a few things you should expect to happen at each visit with your primary care pediatrician or other provider.

1.      Your concerns: Bring a list of your concerns or questions about how your kid is doing. No matter if it seems silly or small. This is why we became pediatricians. To support you in your journey of parenthood. If we don’t address your concerns, you won’t hear anything else we say. So, let’s start with that.

2.      Growth: This should include measuring weight, length, and head circumference. We will ask questions about nutrition, feeding frequency, physical activity, and how the child is doing when compared to birth weight and the growth curves. We want them to pick a line on the growth curve and stick with it.

3.      Development: We will assess five domains of development – speech, fine motor, gross motor, problem-solving, and social/emotional. Usually with a formal assessment like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) or similar tool. Early Intervention services are available for kids who are not meeting their milestones

4.      Full Physical Exam: This should include a full skin exam and your doctor should dlook for subtle signs of medical problems, specifically those that are related to your concerns.

5.      Anticipatory Guidance: This is the teaching or coaching you get from your pediatrician to help you know what challenges are coming around the corner and new exciting skills your child will learn before the next well visit. 

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Thanks as always to Phil Rabon, the Producer of the Docs2Dads Podcast.