Your baby’s first check up is an involved examination that allows your baby’s doctor to asses the overall health of your infant, as well as check for anything that is serious or might develop into something serious. In this series, I have been taking a look at everything that is involved in your baby’s first check up.
Hips
You may see your baby’s doctor take a hold of your baby’s hips and move them back and forth and around the hip joints. I always thought this looked rough and reminded me of getting a chicken ready to roast. But this step is important to make sure your baby doesn’t have a condition known as “dislocatable hips.” This condition is relatively easy to correct in a newborn, but can be difficult to treat as your child gets older.
Legs and Feet
You may have noticed that your baby’s legs are a little bit bowed. This is normal and is usually attributed to all of that time spent in the womb. Your baby’s legs will straighten out eventually, although some children remain slightly bow legged until the diapers are off. Your baby’s doctor will check to make sure that your baby’s legs and or feet don’t turn in too far. If the front half of your baby’s foot, for example is curved too far, he or she may have a club foot that will need correction.
The legs may or may not be checked for reflexes, depending on whether or not your baby’s pediatrician has already gotten a good impression of your baby’s physical responses and neurological development.
Toes can come in all shapes and sizes, including webbed toes. Usually this isn’t a cause for concern.
Birth Notes
Your baby’s doctor will also take a look at the notes and history of your baby’s birth to se if there are any concerns that need to be examined. Your baby’s blood type and your blood type (if you are the birth mother) will be noted in case there may be an incompatibility leading to jaundice.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.
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