Health check list for 1 month old baby

General health examination for newborns is not an easy task, but it is not for that reason to be ignored. Parents should keep in mind the regular schedule of newborn checkups over time. The main purpose of newborn examination includes monitoring and assessing the development and timely detection of abnormal signs at the earliest possible time.

Weigh and measure the baby
To get an accurate weight, the baby needs to be completely undressed before weighing. The doctor will weigh the baby, measure the length and circumference of the head, and record the results on a growth chart.
Growth charts have the task of allowing parents to compare their child's development with other children of the same age. It doesn't really matter what percentile line the child gets on the chart, as long as the child's growth rate tends to increase steadily from one visit to the next.

Perform a complete physical exam
Heart and lungs : The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen and detect any irregular heartbeat or breathing-related problems. Eyes: Check for abnormalities suggestive of congenital eye diseases and other problems. In addition, the doctor may also check the lacrimal ducts, the secretion and circulation of tears. Ears: Look for signs of infection and observe how your baby responds to sounds. Mouth: Signs suggestive of an infection such as thrush - a fungal infection of the mouth, and abnormalities of the tongue, gums, lining of the cheeks and throat. Head: In addition to measuring the baby's head circumference, the doctor also checks the baby's soft spots and head shape. Some babies may show signs of flat head from lying in a supine position for a long time. Body as a Whole: The baby's reflexes and muscle tone are factors to check during the physical examination of a one-month-old infant. In addition, during the physical examination, the child is also checked simultaneously the baby's skin condition to look for jaundice, rashes and congenital birthmarks, if any. Abdomen: Look closely to make sure the umbilical cord has completely fallen off and that the umbilical cord is healing. Gently press on the abdominal wall to check for the presence of hernias or any abnormally enlarged organs. Genitals: Open your baby's diaper and check for signs of infection in the external genitalia and urinary system. If your baby is a boy, the doctor will check to see if his testicles have descended into the scrotum. If your boy is circumcised, the doctor will further examine his penis to make sure it is healing safely. Hips and Legs: The doctor will move your baby's legs around the hip joint to look for abnormalities.

Get your baby vaccinated against certain diseases
One-month-old babies can probably get the hepatitis B vaccine. Most babies get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine in the first 24 hours after birth, the first shot. The second is given at the physical examination at 1 or 2 months, and the third is given at 6 to 18 months. Doctors should have a medical assistant take care of scheduling immunizations for each child, as well as remind parents when it is time to schedule, so as not to miss important milestones. Vaccination of one-month-old infants should be done at the end of each visit to give parents time to comfort the infant and not interfere with the rest of the visit.
Counseling parents on questionable issues
The doctor will advise mothers to give vitamin D to breastfed babies. However, for formula-fed babies, 500ml to 1000ml per day is the same. This means your child is getting enough vitamin D.
The doctor will also address any notable concerns about the baby's health or proper care such as diaper rash, spitting up milk. The doctor is also willing to ask you some questions to help you understand what is normal at this age.

How do babies sleep? Baby's sleep habits are still erratic at this age, but most babies will sleep in cycles of 2-3 hours during the day and at night. Total sleep time is about 15 hours per day. Now, a sleep can last a little longer than in previous episodes. And this is the first necessary thing to be able to have a full night of rest for the baby and parents. How do babies sleep? To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), place your baby on his or her back to sleep. This is the position recommended by medical organizations as well as experienced medical professionals. How do children eat? Most 1-month-old babies eat every two to three hours. The doctor asks these questions to determine if the baby is getting enough breast milk or formula to grow, and to see if the mother has any concerns related to breastfeeding.

How does the child defecate? If your baby has soft stools, that's a good sign. The color of stools can vary depending on what the mother eats. Dry or pelleted stools are a sign of dehydration, or a sign of constipation in a formula-fed baby. Children often cry when defecating because of pain. Notify your child's doctor if you notice these unusual signs. Is the child quiet, at least for a short time, when he or she hears a parent's voice? This behavior tells parents and doctors two things: Children begin to recognize loved ones, and children see their parents as a source of comfort and nourishment. Does your baby stay awake longer? There is no well-defined period of sobriety, but the general trend is that if the period of sobriety lasts longer it is a sign that the child is developing normally. Does your baby make a soft coo when he's satisfied and alert? It's still a few months before your baby utters his first real sounds, but the joyful sounds of a baby at 1 month are the first steps. Have you noticed anything unusual about your baby's eyes or the way he sees things around him? At each physical examination of the child, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eye, as well as the correct movement of the child. Does your child get a little more annoying at the end of the day? It's normal for 1-month-old babies to be fussy in the evening, especially between 6pm and midnight. As your baby starts to stay awake longer during the day, he'll start to feel more tired and irritable at night. Do parents put babies on their stomachs when they're awake? Start with tummy time from day one - while the baby is still awake and parents need to keep an eye on the baby. Tummy time helps babies learn to lean over, roll over and eventually crawl. It also helps children avoid a flat spot on the back of their head or flat head. If parents start training the baby from the beginning, the child will be less resistant.
When a child shows abnormal signs of health, parents can take the child to Vinmec Health system for timely examination and treatment.

As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health System, Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts thanks to the following advantages:
Gathering a team of leading doctors and nurses in pediatrics: including leading experts, highly qualified (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked in hospitals as big as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a mind - range, and understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

Reference source: Babycenter.com