Preparing for Your Baby’s First Year

Your baby’s first year is full of special moments and big changes. AHN’s Pediatrics practice in Wexford is here to help you through each step with expert care and support from day one.

Your baby's first pediatrician visit

Your baby should see a pediatrician within three days of discharge. At this first visit, the pediatrician will check your baby’s weight and make sure they are eating, sleeping, and having regular wet and dirty diapers. The AHN team will also answer questions you have about feeding, diapering, newborn sleep, or any other challenges you’ve had since giving birth.

Tracking growth and development

Your pediatrician will see you and your baby a lot in the first year to track growth and development.

“Every baby develops at their own pace,” said Michael Petrosky, MD, pediatrician at AHN’s Pediatrics practice in Wexford. “We remind parents that just because another child held their head up or began eating at a certain age, it doesn’t mean their baby will — and that’s okay.”

To track your baby’s developmental milestones, your pediatrician may:

• Weigh them – Some weight loss is normal shortly after birth. After that, your pediatrician will track their weight gain as an indicator of proper nutrition and good health.
• Do screenings – These will tell you and your pediatrician about your baby’s developing movement, communication, and senses (hearing, smell, taste, touch, and vision) at nine, 18, and 30 months old.
• Introduce tummy time – The doctor will discuss with you how your baby can spend time on their tummy each day to build strength.

The timing of your baby’s birth may affect their growth and development. If your baby is born pre-term (before 37 weeks), your pediatrician will talk with you about what milestones make sense for your baby’s size and weight.

Protecting your baby from disease

Vaccines protect your baby from serious illnesses. Your AHN pediatrics team will explain each vaccine and help you decide what’s right for your child.

Your baby will need several vaccines in their first year, including:

• Hepatitis B
• Influenza H
• Rotavirus
• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough)
• Polio
• Flu and COVID-19
• Strep pneumo

Your baby’s first visit to the pediatrician is an excellent time to ask the doctor any questions you have about vaccine timing and safety. They’ll listen, and they’ll give you expert advice on how to keep your baby safe and healthy. 

Feeding and safe sleep tips

Feeding

Whether you are breast feeding or using formula, your pediatrician can help you set an infant feeding schedule and track nutrition milestones. Most newborns feed every 2–3 hours, or about 8–10 times a day. At around age 4–6 months, you may begin adding soft foods to your child’s diet.

Follow your baby’s natural cues. They will show you when they are hungry or full.

Sleep

Good sleep is important — and so is safety. Remember:

• Do not share your bed with your baby. (This is called co-sleeping, and it can put your baby at risk for suffocation).
• Keep your baby’s crib or bassinet in the same room where you sleep.
• Do not put soft items like toys and pillows in the bassinet.
• Always place your baby on their back to sleep.

AHN pediatricians can answer any questions you have about developing a safe sleep routine for your baby.

Additional services for babies and children

Wexford Hospital provides services for babies and kids of all ages, including:

• 24/7 emergency room care
• Inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) procedures
• A NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and newborn nursery

No matter your child’s age or concern, pediatric specialists at AHN Wexford Hospital have the expertise and resources to help them stay healthy and prevent illnesses and injuries.

Get advanced, compassionate care for your baby

Your baby’s first year is an exciting time, and regular care is crucial for their healthy development. AHN’s Pediatrics practice in Wexford is here to support you in this first year and beyond. Reach out to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician.