At King’s College Hospital Dubai we follow the same routine checks for your baby’s health and development as recommended by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. These regular reviews take place until your baby is two and are designed to support you and your baby, making sure their development is on track.
On your first visit with your baby, we will give you a personalised Child Health Record book that can be updated at each appointment. In the book, we will record your baby’s weight, height, vaccinations and any health concerns you may have. You can also add information to the book, including illnesses, accidents, or medication that you baby may take, and a record of their developmental milestones.
What happens at a routine baby check?
Your doctor will discuss your baby’s development and general health with you and answer any questions you may have. Provided your baby is gaining weight normally, and you don’t have any concerns, these appointments will be monthly. If your baby was born prematurely, their development will be monitored from the original due date, not the date they were actually born.
You’ll also been given a questionnaire to fill out as you monitor your baby’s development at home between appointments.
How often will my baby be checked?
We will offer you an appointment:
- Soon after your baby’s birth: the doctor will give your baby a thorough examination, checking his or her eyes, heart, hips and (for boys) testicles. At 5-8 days a ‘heel prick’ test will be taken to check for rare diseases including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. Your baby’s hearing test will also be checked and you’ll be given advice on breastfeeding and caring for your baby.
- Between one and two weeks: you’ll be given advice on safe sleeping (for example, putting your baby on his or her back to sleep; how to avoid your baby passive smoking; how to avoid him/her overheating/becoming too cold). You’ll also be able to arrange an appointment for your baby’s first vaccinations and have an opportunity to discuss any concerns.
- Between six and eight weeks: the doctor will give your baby another physical examination to check eyes, heart, hips and (for boys) testicles, as well as checking weight, length and head circumference.
- Between nine months and one year: as well as a physical examination, this involves discussing your baby’s developmental milestones as well as language and learning, safety, diet and behaviour. You’ll be asked to fill in a questionnaire before this appointment.
- Between two and two-and-a-half years: your doctor will carry out a full developmental review including considering his or her development, movement, speech, social skills, behaviour, hearing, vision, diet, and safety.
If you would like more information on the care we can offer to you and your baby, and more detail on the baby health checks available at our Dubai and Abu Dhabi medical centres please get in touch. Contact us and a member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to arrange an appointment.
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