Baby’s First Year
Your care team for all baby's milestones
The maternity and pediatric specialists at Novant Health are here to support you and your family with all the resources and support you need during the first year of your baby's life. From breastfeeding and chestfeeding and well visits to understanding the stages of growth and development, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Care guidelines for baby's first year
The first year of your baby's life is an exciting time, full of newborn milestones and precious moments. Navigating these stages of growth and development is easier when you take advantage of Novant Health’s many resources for new parents. Our programs offer helpful tips for new parents and support for moms with newborns from medical experts and experienced parents.
First months' checkup schedule
Regular wellness checkups are a critical part of your baby's first year and an excellent opportunity to see your baby's milestones by month. During these visits, your pediatrician will monitor your baby’s physical and mental growth and development and screen for any conditions that can be treated early. They’re also the perfect time to ask any questions you may have.
Your first year appointment schedule typically includes seven baby milestone visits:
- Two days old
- Two weeks old
- Two months old
- Four months old
- Six months old
- Nine months old
- One year old
At these checkups, your provider will usually:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Track your baby’s weight, length and head circumference measurements and document them in your baby's growth chart
- Assess your baby's developmental milestones, such as head control, cooing and smiling
- Discuss how you're adjusting and recommend support resources as needed
- Offer feeding and nutrition advice
- Give your baby any scheduled immunizations
Year one vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommendations on vaccines to get at each stage of a baby's development.
Your provider will give your baby any vaccines recommended for that checkup at the end of each of newborn milestone appointment. We will also let you know which shots to expect at your next checkup. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s vaccines, including safety and why they’re recommended, talk to your pediatrician.
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding support
Breast milk contains all the nutrition your baby needs for the first six months of life and can also help prevent health conditions like sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), common childhood infections and allergies. If possible, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding your baby for at least a year.
Your Partner in Helping to Breastfeed & Chestfeed
If you choose to breastfeed your baby, Novant Health offers a wide variety of classes and other support resources to help make breastfeeding and chestfeeding easier as well as connect you with a care community of expert lactation consultants and other new parents.