Newborn babies are delicate. Their bodies are not accustomed to the impurities of the world, and their organs are much smaller than those of an adult. For an adult, a mild cold is an inconvenience. But that same cold can put a small baby in the hospital. Taking your baby to a pediatrician for an infant checkup in North Charleston, SC can help you know what to look for in case of illness. There are other benefits to regular checkups as well. Three of the reasons you should take your baby to regular checkup appointments include monitoring the growth of the baby, learning what is abnormal for an infant and preventing future illnesses.
Monitoring Baby’s Growth
At each good visit, a baby’s growth is monitored. Usually, the weight, height and head size are measured and recorded. This helps the pediatrician know how well the baby is growing. A lack of weight gain could indicate the baby is not receiving enough nutrition and the doctor could recommend some supplements to help the infant thrive. Additionally, abnormal jumps in growth could also cause concern, and the pediatrician might suggest some further testing to be done. But it is important to make sure that your baby is growing properly and this can be done at a regular infant checkup in North Charleston, SC.
Learning What to Expect
Your pediatrician is a great resource for learning what milestones your child should be reaching and when. This can help both you and the doctor catch early detections of vision, hearing and other developmental problems. At these visits, the doctor can also give you suggestions of things to look for that indicate when your baby is ill. It can be hard to differentiate between when your baby is sick and when you are simply paranoid, so speaking with your doctor on things to watch out for can give you peace of mind.
Preventing Future Illnesses
At an infant checkup in North Charleston, SC, your pediatrician will want to discuss vaccinations with you. If you choose to vaccinate, this is the time at which those would be administered. But this is also a great opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of vaccines and decide how you best want to help prevent future illnesses in your child.
The responsibility you have for your infant can be overwhelming. Regular checkup visits to the pediatrician is a great way to make sure that your child is growing and developing properly. It is also beneficial for you in learning how to keep your child healthy and strong. Click here http://www.charlestonpalmettopediatrics.com/ for more information.
