Relaxing your baby during checkups
Going to the doctor's office for routine medical checkups should be a positive experience for your baby, plus informative and reassuring for you.
Here are some tips for keeping your baby happy when you visit the doctor:
- Try to schedule the appointment when your baby is normally awake and not fussy.
- Make sure your baby is fed before you go. Bring along an extra bottle of expressed breastmilk or formula just in case—or decide how comfortable you’ll be breastfeeding in the waiting room. If you decide to bring along expressed breastmilk, it will keep for 24 hours in a cooler if the temperature remains between 5 to 39° F. Keep ice packs in contact with milk containers at all times and limit opening the cooler.
- Bring along a few familiar items your baby enjoys.
- Have your questions for the doctor ready, so you can get in and out quickly.
- Remember, the calmer you are, the calmer your baby will be.