Caring for your newborn is such a wonderful experience. You want the best for your baby, including good health. Well visits are an excellent way to promote good health in your little one. Well visits allow the pediatrician to monitor your baby’s development and help ensure better health for your child. Dr. Kenneth Kim is your Fairfax, VA pediatrician for newborns and children of all ages.

Well Visits

Well visits are regular checkups that help ensure your newborn is healthy and is growing and developing properly. Beginning at birth, your infant will see the pediatrician every few weeks at first, and then every few months after that. During a well visit, your Fairfax pediatrician will check your baby’s weight, length, head circumference, vision, vital signs and more. The doctor will check that your baby is developing within the normal range for his or her age. Well visits also give you an opportunity to ask specific questions about caring for your newborn.

Vaccination & Immunizations

There are many different vaccines that can be administered to infants to help them build immunization against various diseases, such as Rubella, Polio, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. In total, there are 14 diseases infants and young children can be vaccinated against. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed a recommended schedule for administering the vaccines, beginning shortly after birth and continuing through age two. Many vaccines are given in multiple smaller doses over the course of several months rather than a single dose.

As mentioned, vaccines can protect young children against 14 different diseases. Some vaccines are administered together to reduce the number of shots given to your child. Between birth and the age of two, children can be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• Whooping Cough
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Polio
• Mumps
• Measles
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Chickenpox
• Pneumococcal
• Rotavirus

Caring for your newborn is such an exciting time in life. To ensure your little one is as healthy as possible, schedule regular well visits with your Fairfax, VA pediatrician. It is also important to discuss vaccinations with your pediatrician and how vaccines can protect your baby from many potentially deadly diseases. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim, call the office at (703) 246-0022.