What exactly is your doctor looking for with all that poking and prodding of your precious tiny little baby? Well, here is a brief explanation of the physical exam from head to toe and what aspects are most important at this age:
- Head – check the soft spot and ridges along the front, top, and back of head. Make sure head is fairly round and symmetrical. At this age babies are particularly prone to having one side of the back of their head become flatter than the other side from the sleeping position. Your doctor may suggest you use a rolled up blanket to prop baby on his side while asleep to keep him off the flat area. See Your One Month Old for a discussion on flat heads.
- Eyes – check how the pupils reflect light (looking for rare newborn eye problems). You should no longer see baby going cross-eyed ever, except when staring at very close objects. Tell your doctor if you think baby seems cross-eyed, even occasionally (one or both eyes).
- Mouth – check for thrush (white patches of yeast growth), and early teething.
- Ears – baby’s ears are now big enough that your doctor can get a good look inside
- Heart – check for heart murmur and heart rate.
- Abdomen – check for enlarged organs or any abnormal masses.
- Hips – check to make sure they are properly in their sockets. Rarely, the hips can be out of joint at birth. This requires special treatment with leg braces.
- Genitals – check for normal appearance and presence of testicles. If circumcised, check to make sure foreskin has not become re-stuck to head of penis. For girls, your doctor will make sure the inner labia aren’t sticking together permanently. If they are, he or she may gently pull them apart.
- Feet – check for abnormal shape.
- Skin – your doctor will review any birthmarks.
- Spine – check for any defects in the vertebrae and any abnormal curves.
- Strength – your doctor will review how strong baby’s muscles are. Can he hold his head up? Can he support his weight on his legs? Can he push up with his arms?