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Looking
good, baby!
Checkups can help keep
little ones healthy
For a new arrival in the world, your baby
has a pretty busy social calendar. Granted,
many of those engagements are doctor’s
appointments, but there sure are a lot of
them! In fact, a baby may see the doctor
10 or more times during his or her first
two years. That’s because your child’s
doctor wants to make sure your child is
healthy.
Head-to-toe exams
Your baby’s first
checkup will likely take place in the hospi-
tal soon after delivery. Doctors and nurses
will give your baby a thorough physical,
just to make sure everything is OK. The
doctor can tell you when he or she needs
to see your newborn in the days to come.
After these earliest visits, the Ameri-
can Academy of Pediatrics recommends
checkups:
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During the first year at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and
12 months.
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During the second year at 15, 18 and
24 months.
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At 30 months and annually starting
at age 3.
At these visits, the doctor will likely:
●
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Measure growth by checking your baby’s
weight, length and head circumference.
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●
Check your baby’s heart, lungs, eyes,
ears and mouth.
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Ask about your baby’s routines, such as
eating, digestion and sleep patterns.
At each appointment, you’ll also have
a chance to ask questions—new parents
generally have many of these. Don’t be
afraid to speak up. Doctors realize this is
all new for you.
A word about shots
Immunizations are
vital to helping your child stay safe from
some serious diseases. During baby’s first
two years, vaccines that are given include
those for:
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Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
(DTaP).
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Haemophilus influenzae
type b (Hib).
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Hepatitis A and B.
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Influenza (flu).
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Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
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Pneumococcal diseases.
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Polio.
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Rotavirus.
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Varicella (chickenpox).
We’ll be there!
Be sure your baby sees
the doctor as needed. Keeping your
checkup appointments is one of the most
important things you can do as a parent.
Welcome,
Kimberlee
Poole
Kimberlee E.
Poole, ARNP,
obtained her
master’s degree
in nursing at
Wa s h i n g t o n
State Univer-
sity in 2003.
Poole moved to
Moses Lake from Puyallup, Washington,
in 1995 and has worked in health care
the entire time she has lived here. While
working on her advanced degrees, she
worked in both acute care and private
practice. She and her husband are kept
busy by their 12-year-old twin girls. She
takes a special interest in adolescent med-
icine and disease and illness prevention.
Kimberlee E.
Poole, ARNP, is
accepting new patients
at Samaritan Parkview
Pediatrics. To make
an appointment,
please call 766-9450.
Be a happy and safe camper
Imagine waking up in a tent and hear-
ing the sounds of a babbling brook, the
chirping of a songbird and the crackling
of a campfire as someone starts breakfast.
Better than the persistent beep of your
alarm clock, right?
If those thoughts make you want to grab
your sleeping bag and head out into the
great wide open, review the following tips
to help ensure your next trip is a safe one.
Before you go, you’ll want to have:
Skills and knowledge.
Know the laws
of the land. Where can you camp? Are
there rules about building fires? How
can you avoid dangerous encounters
with wildlife?
Also, if you’re hiking off the beaten
path, don’t rely on your instincts—learn
how to navigate with a compass and map
or a GPS device. It’s also a good idea to
know basic survival skills and first aid.
Assistance.
Always camp with at least
one friend. And make sure that someone
who isn’t going with you knows your
planned route and destination. Also let that
person know when to expect you home.
Food and drink.
Bring plenty of
water—or have a reliable way to purify
some. Pack healthful food, and reduce
your risk of food poisoning by using
good food safety practices. Learn more at
www.morehealth.org/foodsafety.
Equipment.
Make sure you’ve got the
supplies and clothing you need, including
weather-appropriate gear, a first aid kit, a
well-charged cellphone, and a headlamp
or flashlight.
Find other packing essentials
at
www.cdc.gov/family/camping
.
Kimberlee E.
Poole, ARNP
K
O
Our experts are here for
the needs of your family.
To make an appointment
at Samaritan Parkview
Pediatrics, call 766-9450.
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N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S
S A M A R I T A N H E A L T H