{"id":24153,"date":"2025-07-15T12:30:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/newborn-check-ups-when-why-and-what-to-watch-for\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T09:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T06:25:13","slug":"newborn-check-ups-when-why-and-what-to-watch-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/newborn-check-ups-when-why-and-what-to-watch-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Newborn Check-Ups: When, Why, and What to Watch For"},"content":{"rendered":"

(When is the first baby check-up? What happens during a newborn doctor visit?<\/em>)<\/p>

\ud83d\udc76 My Baby Was Just Born \u2014 When Should We See a Doctor?<\/strong><\/h2>

If you\u2019ve just welcomed your newborn, one of your first questions might be:
\u201cWhen should we go for the first check-up?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

Even if everything seems fine, check-ups during the first weeks<\/strong> are crucial for your baby\u2019s healthy development.<\/p>

These visits help lay the foundation for growth, allow early detection of any issues, and provide parents with knowledge and confidence.<\/p>

\ud83d\udd53 When Should the First Newborn Check-Up Happen?<\/strong><\/h3>

The first doctor visit should take place within 3\u20135 days<\/strong> after your baby is discharged from the hospital.<\/p>

What is evaluated during this visit?
\u2022 \ud83d\udcc9 Weight loss<\/strong>: Up to 10% in the first days is considered normal
\u2022 \ud83c\udf1e Jaundice<\/strong>: Spread from eyes to body and feet is checked
\u2022 \ud83c\udf7c Feeding assessment<\/strong>: Latching, milk intake, and mother\u2019s milk production are observed
\u2022 \ud83d\udd0d General health<\/strong>: Reflexes, skin tone, breathing are evaluated<\/p>

\ud83d\udcc5<\/p>

Newborn Check-Up Schedule (First Months)<\/strong><\/h2>
Timing<\/strong><\/th>What\u2019s Checked<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Day 3\u20135<\/td>First exam, weight loss, jaundice, breastfeeding guidance<\/td><\/tr>
Day 10\u201314<\/td>Weight gain, umbilical cord falling off, reflexes, urine\/stool frequency<\/td><\/tr>
1st Month<\/td>Hip ultrasound, hearing recheck, vaccination info, general development<\/td><\/tr>
2nd Month & After<\/td>Vaccines + physical exam + development (head control, eye contact, sound response)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Note: As a pediatrician in \u0130zmir specializing in newborn care, I strongly recommend not skipping these early visits.<\/em><\/p>

\ud83d\udd0e What Happens During a Newborn Check-Up?<\/strong><\/h3>

\u2705 1. Growth Monitoring<\/strong>
Height, weight, and head circumference are measured and compared with growth charts.<\/p>

\u2705 2. Jaundice Assessment<\/strong>
The level and spread of jaundice are observed. A bilirubin test may be done if needed.<\/p>

\u2705 3. Feeding Evaluation<\/strong>
\u2022 Frequency of feeding
\u2022 Latching and sucking
\u2022 Breast milk sufficiency<\/p>

\ud83c\udfaf Breastfeeding support and education are provided to the mother.<\/em><\/p>

\u2705 4. Reflex & Neurological Development<\/strong>
\u2022 Moro reflex
\u2022 Sucking reflex
\u2022 Grasp reflex<\/p>

\ud83d\udea8 This is a key step for early detection of potential neurological issues.<\/em><\/p>

\u2705 5. Hip Ultrasound (Screening for Hip Dysplasia)<\/strong>
Usually done between weeks 4\u20136. Early detection allows for easy treatment.<\/p>

\u2705 6. Hearing Test Follow-Up<\/strong>
The result of the hospital hearing test is reviewed. If suspicious, referrals for further testing are made.<\/p>

\ud83d\udc89 What Tests and Vaccines Are Done?<\/strong><\/h3>

\ud83e\uddea Heel-Prick (Newborn Screening) Test<\/strong>
Usually performed between days 2\u20135. Conditions screened for include:
\u2022 SMA
\u2022 Phenylketonuria
\u2022 Hypothyroidism
\u2022 Biotinidase deficiency
\u2022 Cystic fibrosis
\u2022 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia<\/p>

\ud83d\udc89 Vaccinations<\/strong>
\u2022 Hepatitis B vaccine (1st dose at birth, 2nd dose at 1 month)
\u2022 1 mg Vitamin K (given at birth to prevent bleeding)<\/p>

\ud83e\uddd8 Parental Guidance: Not Just for the Baby<\/strong><\/p>

Newborn check-ups are also an opportunity to support and guide parents<\/strong>. Common topics covered include:
\u2022 Breastfeeding positions
\u2022 Gas, spit-up, and baby baths
\u2022 Nail trimming, sleep routines
\u2022 Navigating emotions around new parenthood<\/p>

\u26a0\ufe0f When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention<\/strong><\/p>

Contact a doctor immediately if your baby:
\u2022 Refuses to feed or seems overly sleepy
\u2022 Has jaundice spreading to the feet
\u2022 Has a fever of 38\u00b0C (100.4\u00b0F) or higher
\u2022 Has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day
\u2022 Has pale, grey, or bluish skin
\u2022 Is vomiting forcefully (projectile vomiting)<\/p>

\ud83c\udf1f Conclusion: Early Steps Shape a Healthy Future<\/strong><\/p>

Newborn check-ups are more than just physical exams.
They are vital for:
\u27a1\ufe0f Early diagnosis
\u27a1\ufe0f Proper guidance
\u27a1\ufe0f Educating and empowering parents<\/p>\n\n

\u0130lgili hizmet:<\/strong> sa\u011fl\u0131kl\u0131 \u00e7ocuk takibi<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(When is the first baby check-up? What happens during a newborn doctor visit?) \ud83d\udc76 My Baby Was Just Born \u2014 When Should We See a Doctor? If you\u2019ve just welcomed your newborn, one of your first questions might be:\u201cWhen should we go for the first check-up?\u201d Even if everything seems fine, check-ups during the first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-yenidogan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24153"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24484,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24153\/revisions\/24484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsalihaydemir.com.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}