The first pediatric visit for your child is a significant milestone and an important opportunity to establish a foundation for their lifelong health. This initial visit is a chance for parents and caregivers to get comfortable with their pediatrician, ask questions, and understand what to expect as their child grows. Dr. Calixto Ruibal, Dr. Silvia Boccardo, and Dr. Julio Scaglia at Lawndale Medical Clinic in Houston, TX, and serving East End and Pasadena, TX, can explain what you can expect at your child’s first pediatric visit and how you can be prepared. 

What To Expect at Your Child’s First Pediatric Visit 

Your child’s first pediatric visit with a pediatrician serving Houston, East End, and Pasadena, TX, typically occurs shortly after birth. This visit allows your pediatrician to assess your child’s health, development, and growth and begins your child’s health record, tracking their growth, vaccines, and any health issues as they age. 

Your child’s first pediatric visit will include several essential components to assess their health and address any parental concerns. Your pediatrician will measure your child’s weight, length, and head circumference. These measurements are essential to track growth and ensure your child is developing properly. Then, they will examine your baby’s head, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, heart, lungs, and abdomen. This thorough check allows them to identify abnormalities and ensure your baby is healthy. 

Pediatricians also check reflexes, such as the rooting and grasp reflexes, to confirm your baby’s neurological development. Even as a newborn, your baby will have developmental milestones to reach. Your pediatrician will assess their alertness, ability to respond to stimuli, and any sounds or movements that indicate they are developing normally. 

Your pediatrician will review the vaccine schedule with you and, depending on the timing, may administer the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine if it was not given at birth. 

Contact Our Pediatrician Today 

Make sure you know what to expect on your first visit. Contact Dr. Ruibal, Dr. Boccardo, and Dr. Scaglia at Lawndale Medical Clinic in Houston, TX, and serving East End and Pasadena, TX, to learn more about pediatric visits and what to expect at your first one. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (713) 924-4907.