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Also, keep track of the number of
wet and soiled diapers he produces
during the first 72 hours. "What goes in
has to come out," says Contini. "So, if
your baby is peeing and pooping
appropriately, more than likely he or
she is getting enough breast milk or
formula." Minimally, says Contini, your
pediatrician is looking for evidence of
a bowel movement in the first 24 hours
and urination once in the first 24
hours, twice in the next 24 hours, and
three times in the following 24 hours.
Another occasion to track feedings
and diaper changes: If your baby
becomes ill, a simple record will be
helpful to the doctor treating him.
Weight and height
Your infant's growth - her weight and
length, plus head circumference - is
vital information for your pediatrician.
"It's one of the most important - if not
the most important - pieces of information
in a pediatrician's chart," says
Contini. "A normal growth rate indicates
adequate caloric intake and
implies general good health."
Your baby's measurements are also
important for dispensing medication
to her if the need arises. If parents
need assistance after hours and can
provide accurate, recent weight information,
explains Maurice J. Chianese,
M.D., chief of pediatrics at Pro-
HEALTH Care Associates in Lake Success,
New York, a pediatrician can
advise them on the correct dosage of
medications over the telephone.
If you're already faithfully recording
every ounce and inch in a baby book or
on a growth chart of your own, simply
keep the information (along with any
other pertinent facts) where your
spouse and a babysitter can find it.
Tests, hospital stays, and letters
from consultants
Although copies of tests - from your
newborn's screening to hearing tests -
will be in your child's medical chart,
pediatricians themselves may not be
able to access such information right
away. "It's often very hard even for doctors
to read other doctors' handwriting,
plus it can be very difficult to sift
through all the paper in a medical
chart and find out if a test was done,"
says Contini. If you need to know
whether your child has ever been tested
for X or Y, keeping a simple list of
those tests and their results can help
expedite answers for your doctor, as
will recording any stays in the hospital
(and for what reason and for how
long). Request your own copies of
letters from any specialists or consultants
and keep them on file. You
can't assume doctors are always
communicating with each other, but
if you have copies of their reports,
you'll always be able to provide
them if needed later.
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Delivery Room Surprises