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4 things every new dad should know about babies

Dad with newborn

Congratulations on becoming a father! Being a new dad will probably be one of the most exciting – and sometimes scary – events of your life.

While parenting is not always easy, with a little guidance, support, and trial and error, you will adjust to fatherhood in no time. 

Every new dad should know a few things about babies: how much babies sleep, why babies cry, when babies need checkups, and why dads need checkups too.  

1. Babies sleep a lot

newborn baby sleeping peacefully

Every baby is different; some are better sleepers than others. Newborns need plenty of sleep, so don’t be surprised if your baby seems to be sleeping for most of the day.

Newborns usually sleep for about eight or nine hours during the day and around eight hours at night. A newborn baby can sleep as many as 18 hours a day, in stretches of three to four hours at a time.

2. Babies cry for many reasons

baby crying

Newborns not only sleep a lot, but they cry a lot too! Crying is how babies communicate, so it is up to us as parents to figure out what their crying is trying to tell us.

As you come to know your baby more and more, it will be easier to tell what the cries mean and comfort your baby faster.

These are some things your baby could be trying to communicate when he or she is crying:

  • I need my diaper changed.
  • I’m hungry.
  • I’m bored.
  • I’d like some attention.
  • That’s too much attention.
  • I’m in pain.
  • I’m tired.
  • I’m waking up.
  • I need to poop!
  • I’m uncomfortable.
Dad feeding his baby with a bottle

Learn more: How to Calm a Fussy Baby: Tips for Parents & Caregivers 

3. Babies need health checkups and immunizations

Dad holding baby getting a checkup

Babies grow and develop very quickly. It is important for a pediatrician or family doctor to monitor their development at Well Check Exams. Immunizations are included as part of exams, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of them or missing any.  

Vecino Health Centers follows the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and recommends that newborns get checkups at the following ages in their first year of life:

  • 3-5 days after birth
  • 2 weeks
  • 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 12 months

You can talk with your baby’s doctor or nurse about any questions or concerns you have about your baby or being a new parent during the Well Check Exams. Whether the question is about sleeping, crying, eating, peeing, pooping, or anything else, our health care professionals will be happy to help!

No insurance? No problem.

Most health insurance plans—including Medicaid and CHIP—are accepted at Denver Harbor Family Health Center. But you don’t need insurance to be a patient.

We make health care affordable for every member of your family. Learn more.

4. Your health as a dad matters to your baby’s health

One of the most important things you can do for your children is to be a good role model by taking care of your own health.

Regular health checkups are as important for you as they are for your baby, but for different reasons. There are important vaccines that you should have when you are around a newborn, such as the one protecting you from whopping cough.

An annual checkup will help you stay healthy and can help detect diseases early, before there are any symptoms, making them easier to treat and manage. Undiagnosed and uncontrolled chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can lead to complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss.

You can model the importance of checkups to your child right from the start.  Schedule a checkup today, and give your family the gift of a dad who cares about his health!

Dad getting medical checkup

New patients are welcome.

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Three reasons for men to get a medical checkup

Adult Black man getting checkup from female doctor
Being there for the people you love starts with taking care of your own health.

“I’m too busy.” “It’s too expensive.” “I feel fine. I don’t need to see a doctor.” Sound familiar? These are just a few reasons why many men tend to avoid getting routine medical checkups. But the truth is, avoiding routine screenings and checkups puts the health of men at risk in more ways than you may think.

1. Reduce the risk of serious illness with regular men’s checkups

One of the most important reasons to get a checkup now is to find out if you have any underlying problems before there are any symptoms. With screenings, conditions can be detected early, when they’re most treatable.

Your health care provider will screen for common conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, and depression as part of every checkup. They’ll also help you learn how to keep your immune systems strong.

Preventive care, including annual physical exams and screenings, is more important now than ever. Men want to be as strong as they can be for their families, and regular checkups are an important way to ensure they are doing all they can to be healthy.

Man checking in for medical appointment at community health center

2. Save money by getting regular men’s checkups  

Men’s checkups are covered by most insurance plans.

If you don’t have insurance, we offer discounts on a sliding scale so that you can afford the care you need. If you do have insurance, but are concerned about the costs of tests and immunizations, you can rest assured that we minimize those charges as much as possible. That means when you come in for a checkup, there aren’t those additional annoying charges for a flu shot or onsite tests.

Studies show that people who get regular checkups have lower health care costs than those who only use the emergency room or go to specialists. That’s because regular checkups with your family doctor can prevent and detect conditions early, when they’re more likely to be treatable.

We care about your health at Denver Harbor Family Health Center!

Call 713-674-3326

to schedule an appointment

Dad with two young children smiling

3. Take charge of your health with regular men’s checkups 

Let’s face it: many of us don’t get checkups because we’re afraid to find out that something’s wrong. Being anxious about the “what ifs” is common. But keep in mind that the earlier something is detected, the earlier treatment can begin. And the earlier treatment begins, the greater the chances are for success.

Most diseases that threaten men’s health, like heart disease, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes, can be prevented and treated early on. So, regardless of what you learn at your checkup, you will walk out confident that you’re in charge of your own health, and you won’t have to keep worrying about those troublesome “what ifs.”

Regardless of your role—be it father, husband, brother, son, or friend—you probably want to be as strong and healthy as you can be. After all, being there for the people you love starts with taking care of your own health first.

No insurance? No problem.

Most health insurance plans are accepted at Denver Harbor Family Health Center. But you don’t need insurance to be a patient.

If you don’t qualify for insurance, we offer a sliding fee scale. That means you pay for what you can afford, based on your income and family size. Learn more.

Let health shine graphic in English and Spanish.

Encourage men to schedule regular checkups

Encourage men to get regular checkups

Being a father, a husband, and a provider for a family is not easy. Hard-working men of all ages have many daily challenges and often neglect their own health.

An annual medical exam helps men prevent costly and debilitating chronic illnesses that can limit their ability to have productive lives.

As a gift to our male partners, friends, and relatives, let’s make sure they schedule their annual medical checkups. Appointments are available at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic.

New patients are welcome.

Schedule a checkup today!

713-674-3326

Screenings detect silent symptoms

Undiagnosed diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage and impotence. These complications can be avoided through diet, exercise, and weight loss. In some cases medication is also prescribed.

What’s your blood pressure?

Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and the risk for it increases with age. In many cases, high blood pressure has no warning signs. It  can result in serious medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. A blood pressure test is part of every regular checkup. If a patient’s blood pressure is high, we can help them lower it and keep it lowered.

Vecino Health Centers is a Gold Level participant in TARGET BP, an initiative of the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association that helps helps health care organizations improve patient blood pressure rates.

Help the men in your life make health care a priority

Life is not easy for many working men, and many avoid routine checkups for as long as possible. Do you have someone in your life like that?

Help your spouse, partner, father, brother, or other male relative or friend live a long and healthy life by encouraging him to schedule regular medical checkups. For a little extra encouragement, offer to go with him or schedule your own checkup on the same day.

Unemployed or uninsured?

Don’t worry. Vecino Health Centers offers financial assistance so everyone in your family can get the checkups and other care they need. You may even qualify for other benefits, we’ll help you understand your options.

Just ask about our Get Care program