Questions for a First Pediatrician Visit

It’s time for your little one’s first pediatrician visit! To make sure you get the most out of your first visit, we’ve put together a list of questions to ask the pediatrician at the first visit ranging from nutrition issues to the development of your little one. Find out what to bring, what the exam will be like and what to ask your pediatrician, so you’re prepared.

What to Bring

• Your partner (or other primary caregiver)
• Your insurance card and hospital documents 
• If your baby had a different pediatrician in the hospital be sure to bring the infant growth chart you received with their first stats
• A change of clothes, extra diapers, wipes, pacifiers and feeding supplies

The Checkup

• A nurse will likely measure and weigh your little one including the circumference of their head.
  • Remember, newborns typically lose weight before they start gaining, so don’t fret if they are under birth weight at their first visit
• The pediatrician will examine your baby to:
  • Check the neck and collarbone for any breaks or fractures from birth
  • Check the still-soft fontanel on your baby’s head 
  • Look for any signs of hip dysplasia
  • Assess their reflexes
  • Check their pulse
  • Ensure normal development of genitalia
  • See how the umbilical stump is healing 
  • Check for jaundice, a common and usually temporary condition in which your baby’s skin may look yellow

Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician at First Visit

• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Baby’s Diet
  • Should I follow a schedule to feed my baby?
  • How can I know if my baby ate enough? 
  • What should I do if my baby is not drinking enough breast milk? 
  • Is my baby getting enough vitamin D and iron? 
  • Should I give supplements to my baby?
  • How can I store my breast milk?
  • How can I know if my baby is lactose intolerant?
  • Are hiccups and spit up normal?
  • What is the best way to burp my baby?
  • How can I help my baby latch on to my breast?
  • How can I avoid damage to my nipples?
• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Baby’s Sleep Pattern
  • How many hours a day should my baby sleep?
  • How many naps should my baby take?
  • Is it okay if I wake up my baby to eat?
  • How can I help my baby to stay asleep?
  • Is it safe for my baby to sleep on their back?
  • How can I try to avoid sudden infant death syndrome?
  • Where should my baby sleep?
  • Should I follow a bedtime routine and what approach do you recommend?

• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Baby’s Poops
  • What should I have in my diaper bag?
  • How many diapers should my baby use a day?
  • How many times a day should my baby poop?
  • What color should my baby's poop be?
  • How can I know if my baby is constipated?
  • Is it normal for my baby to poop right after I feed them?
  • Should I use an ointment or cream to prevent chafing?

• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Baby’s Development
  • When should my baby start responding to sound?
  • When should my baby start raising his head?
  • When should my baby start smiling?
  • When should my baby start following faces and objects?
  • When can I start to put my baby on his tummy for ‘tummy time’?
  • When can I start reading to my baby?
  • What are the best toys for my baby at this stage?
  • What can I do to help in my baby’s development?
• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Comforting Your Baby
  • Is it better to calm my baby or let them cry?
  • Is it safe to wrap my baby with a baby blanket?
  • How should I calm my baby when they cry?
  • Do you recommend using a pacifier?
  • Do you recommend massages for babies? What’s the best way to do it?

• First Pediatrician Visit Questions: Baby’s Wellbeing
  • What should I do if my baby has a stuffy nose or is congested?
  • How should I take my baby's temperature?
  • In what cases should I call or bring my baby for consultation?
  • What is the recommended vaccination schedule?
  • When can I start taking my baby to public places?
  • When can I start establishing routines and schedules with my baby?


The first pediatrician visit can feel overwhelming but knowing what to expect and having this list of questions handy can help keep you organized and ensure you get all the answers you’re looking for from your little one’s doctor.

As your relationship with your doctor grows, hopefully the dialogue will become easier, but it’s always helpful to have questions and tips for chatting with your pediatrician as other topics arise.