by Lydia Fuller

Created on: October 24, 2010

Ooooh, the dreaded two month checkup. You are anxious and feeling slightly guilty because you know something that your sweet, cuddly, sometimes smiling little baby doesn't. This is the visit that baby will have to get his or her shots. Not all is bad though. There are a few things that will be done first.

Your small fry will be stripped down and weighed. Then you will be allowed to dress him. His head circumfrance will be measured as will his height (length). The nurse will take his temperature. The nurse will usually ask you if you have any concerns you would like to speak to the doctor about. This is a great time to have a list handy.

Once the doctor comes in he or she will listen to your baby's heartbeat and breath sounds. You will be asked a lot of questions such as: how much baby is eating and how often, are you still breastfeeding (if that is what you were doing as of your last visit), how long is baby sleeping, does baby track things with his eyes and does he clasp his hands together?  Sometime during the time the doctor is in he or she will put your baby's weight and height into a chart that will show you what percentile your baby is in.  This is nothing to be concerned about if your baby isn't "average".  Every baby is different. Any of those questions you had will probably be answered now. 

Now is the time for the dreaded immunizations. This is usually harder on Mommy than baby but hopefully the two of you make it through this with only a few tears shed. Now Mom, if you don't feel you can handle being in the room while little one gets poked, bring a friend or loved one with you to be the "bad guy".  Then you can swoop in for the comforting cuddle afterwards. It's a good idea to give baby some infant's Tylenol before going to your appointment, (but only with your doctor's approval). Baby will most likely be immunized for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis which is all rolled in to one shot, Hib which is Haemophilus Influenza Type B Pneumococcal Conjugate, Polio and Hepatitis B. They also have a liquid vaccine for the Rotavirus that they say is super sweet but smells pretty bad. 

All in all, by the time you leave, you will know your child is healthy and immunized against some pretty nasty things...although he or she will probably be pretty cranky the rest of the day. A perfect excuse for an evening of snuggling.

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