Congratulations, your baby has been in the world for a wonderful 12 months! It’s time to talk to your baby’s doctor about a well-baby visit, and we want to help parents everywhere by providing questions to ask a pediatrician at a one year visit. These questions will help you stay informed about your baby’s health and prepare them for toddlerhood.
Physical Exam at 12 Months
To first give you an overview of what happens during a 12-month check up, the doctor will start by measuring your baby’s head circumference, height, and weight. You’ll have to undress your baby so as to not compromise the accuracy of the measurements; the doctor will then plot all the numbers on a growth chart to track the growth rate of your baby.
The physical exam will move on to checking your baby over from head to toe. Using a stethoscope, your pediatrician will listen for any abnormalities in heart rhythms or breathing patterns. Congenital eye conditions will be looked for, especially if there is a family history, while also looking for blocked tear ducts and possible discharge. The ears will also be examined for infections, as this is a common condition for young children, and how your baby responds to sound. Your baby’s head will be checked for soft spots and the shaping.
The pediatrician will also check your baby’s reflexes, hips, and joints, and then their skin for rashes or paleness, the latter being an indicator for anemia. The doctor will also gently press on your baby’s belly to see if they have a hernia or enlarged organs. The diaper will be opened to see if there is any infection, since your baby’s immune system is still developing.
Immunization at 12 Months
Getting your baby vaccinated is the best solution to preventing many life-threatening diseases. At a 12-month check up, your baby will receive:
- Hib
- Pneumococcal
- Chicken pox
- MMR
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
Questions Your Pediatrician May Ask
To ensure you are prepared for your 12-month check up, we provided a list of questions your baby’s doctor may ask you.
- How is your child’s sleeping?
- How are your child’s eating habits?
- Does your child have any teeth?
- How is your child moving? Are they pulling, standing, walking, etc.?
- How is your child’s communication? Are they pointing at objects or speaking?
- Does your child socialize with others?
- How are their motor skills?
- Is there anything unusual about how your child sees?
- How is your child’s hearing?
Questions To Ask Your Pediatrician
Your pediatrician should open the floor to you to address any other areas of concern you may have. If any of the following information hasn’t been brought to your attention, or if you need clarification on anything reviewed, these will be the best questions to ask.
- What should I do if my child has an attachment to her blanket? Is it okay?
- Could I begin putting pillows or bumpers into her crib?
- When should I stop breastfeeding?
- How do I introduce them to dairy/non-dairy milk?
- How do I ensure my child is getting enough nutrition (if they are a picky eater)?
- When does my child need to start going to the dentist?
- Is it okay that my child likes to play on my phone/tablet?
Family Medicine at Hillcroft Physicians
The staff at Hillcroft Physicians is here to help you grow with your family. We are experts in family medicine, and we can look after the health of babies, children, teens, parents, and grandparents. Contact us today to make an appointment.
