Though the doctor is an expert on babies in general, at this point you’re the expert on your baby. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have lots of questions about the best way to raise him. Jot down any thoughts as they come up, either in a notebook or on your smartphone, so you can ask them at well-baby visits or by calling the office or the practice’s help line.
Here are some questions you might have at this stage:
- Can you show me how my baby tracks on growth charts?
- Are there immunization reactions I should be on the lookout for?
- When does my baby need to see a dentist?
- When should I wean my baby from the bottle?
- How can I break my baby of the habit of falling asleep with a bottle?
- How can I encourage self-feeding?
- What kinds of foods should I be offering my baby now?
- Which foods should be avoided because they’re choking hazards or present other problems?
- When can my baby start to drink milk? What kind should I give him?
- How long will my baby continue to need two naps?
- How can I encourage my baby’s first steps?
- Does my baby need shoes?
- How can I encourage my baby’s first words?
- How can I help my child adjust to a sitter?
- How can I help my child adjust to day care?
Also ask about these matters:
- Your baby’s developmental progress (problems or how to encourage it).
- Any regression you notice.
- Ongoing or new sleep problems.
- Discipline.
- Disagreements about care with your spouse, your mother, or anyone else.
