Chapter 12: Health Checkup

After the full-month banquet, the system reminded Zhu jia to promptly take Xiao Wen for a health checkup and vaccinations. Zhu jia did her homework online, reading local mothers’ shared experiences and reviews. Considering various factors, she chose a private hospital nearby for Xiao Wen’s pediatric care and vaccinations.

The scheduled day arrived quickly. Zhu jia prepared Xiao Wen and set off. The hospital was only a ten-minute drive from home. Mo Yichen would also meet them there, coming straight from work.

A black Bentley smoothly pulled up in front of the hospital building. Zhujia carefully carried Xiao Wen out of the car. The wind was strong that day, so she covered Xiao Wen’s head with his muslin blanket. The driver, Mr. Xu, retrieved the stroller from the trunk and said, “Madam, I’ll wait for you in the parking lot on the first floor.”

Zhu jia nodded and headed toward the hospital entrance. The spacious and bright lobby featured a circular information desk at its center, surrounded by rectangular sofas. Doctor profiles were displayed on the walls, and the atmosphere was serene with few people present.

Zhu jia spotted a tall figure in black sitting on one of the sofas. Pushing Xiao Wen’s stroller over, she approached Mo Yichen. “Why are you here so early?” she asked, smiling with bright eyes.

“The meeting ended earlier than expected.” Mo Yichen stood and looked at her intently for a moment.

“Mr. Mo, Mrs. Mo, welcome.” The hospital had been informed of their visit and arranged for a personal guide to assist them. “This way, please.”

Mo Yichen naturally took over the stroller from Zhu jia as they followed the guide to the pediatric department on the fifth floor.

The pediatric department was designed in warm, soft pink tones, creating a cozy environment. Near the nurse’s station were rows of seating, along with a mother-and-baby room for nursing and diaper changes. A play area with toys and toddlers accompanied by their parents added to the welcoming atmosphere.

Walking half a step behind Mo Yichen, Zhu jia entered the pediatrician’s office. A middle-aged male doctor with black-framed glasses greeted them warmly, assisted by a younger colleague.

“Mr. Mo, Mrs. Mo,” the doctor began, nodding. He gestured for Zhu jia to carry Xiao Wen out of the stroller. Xiao Wen, wide awake and curious, was quietly observing his surroundings.

Zhu jia gently lifted Xiao Wen, and the doctor took him with care. “Such a good baby. Let’s measure his height and weight first.”

The first steps of the checkup involved measuring Xiao Wen’s height, weight, and head circumference. After each value was taken, the doctor reported it to the assistant, who recorded it.

The doctor then checked Xiao Wen’s anterior fontanel, a soft spot on a baby’s head that closes between 4 and 25 months of age, as part of monitoring growth.

Following this, Zhu jia undressed Xiao Wen so the doctor could examine his skin, limb activity, and abdominal development. Lying on the examination table, Xiao Wen occasionally kicked his legs, looking healthy and content.

The doctor praised, “Your baby is developing very well. His skin is smooth, and his muscle tone is perfect. All metrics are within the normal range.”

After the physical exam, the doctor handed Xiao Wen back to Zhu jia and issued a vaccination slip. He explained patiently, “For his full-month checkup, we recommend the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and the BCG vaccine. Please monitor him for 24 hours afterward for any fever or adverse reactions, and contact us immediately if there’s any issue.”

Zhu jia expressed her thanks and carried Xiao Wen to the vaccination room. Mo Yichen followed closely, his concern evident.

The nurse in the vaccination room skillfully administered the vaccines. Despite her gentle touch, Xiao Wen cried out, prompting Zhu jia to softly pat him. “Don’t cry, baby. Mommy’s here.”

Mo Yichen frowned and asked, “Does it hurt? Can’t we skip some of these shots?”

The nurse chuckled, “Mr. Mo, vaccinations protect your baby’s health. A little pain is worth it.”

After the shots, Xiao Wen soon calmed down in Zhu jia’s arms, returning to his usual quiet self.

After recording the basic measurements, the doctor placed Xiao Wen on a care table to examine his limbs and overall body condition. Xiao Wen, instead of crying from being touched and checked by the doctor, kept his large eyes wide open, appearing excited.

“What a well-behaved and cooperative baby,” the male doctor praised with a gentle smile. He then measured Xiao Wen’s jaundice level, listened to his heart and lungs with a stethoscope, and examined his eyes with a small flashlight. With that, the physical examination was complete. The next step was to conduct a neonatal neurobehavioral assessment.

Zhu jia and Mo Yichen attentively watched as Xiao Wen underwent various behavioral tests, finding the process rather fascinating. The doctor held a small red ball in front of Xiao Wen’s face, slowly moving it from side to side. Xiao Wen’s eyes followed the ball closely, turning left and right with a bright gaze, as if he had spotted something he really liked. The doctor then used a rattle to conduct sound localization training, which Zhu jia had already practiced at home. Xiao Wen performed exceptionally well.

Next, the doctor measured Xiao Wen’s muscle tone using various clever methods. What surprised Zhu jia the most was when the doctor placed his hand in Xiao Wen’s tiny fist and lifted him up entirely! This demonstrated Xiao Wen’s strong pulling and gripping abilities, which were sufficient to support his full body weight.

However, watching this high-difficulty maneuver made Zhu jia’s heart race, and she frowned deeply. The doctor then conducted several tests for primitive reflexes, evaluating and scoring as he proceeded.

After all the examinations were complete, the doctor invited Mo Yichen and Zhu jia to sit on the sofa and asked about Xiao Wen’s daily feeding and physical condition. He then said, “Your baby’s physical exam results are excellent, with all metrics around the average range. His height is slightly above average, but his weight is a bit below.”

Zhuvjia pursed her lips, looking at Xiao Wen’s chubby appearance. How could his weight be below average?

“It’s nothing to worry about,” the doctor reassured her gently. “Generally, babies of this age should consume at least 500ml of milk daily, and if they can reach 800ml, they will grow even better.”

Zhujia silently calculated Xiao Wen’s current milk intake and realized it needed to increase.

Recalling Xiao Wen’s recent condition, Zhujia added, “Doctor, Xiao Wen had some bloating and discomfort in his stomach a few days ago, which affected his sleep. His stool color hasn’t been as good as before, either.”

“I’ll teach you a few exercises to help relieve gas. You can do them for Xiao Wen at home,” the doctor said, washing his hands and heading to the care table. Zhu jia followed, and to her surprise, Mo Yichen quietly joined as well.

The first exercise involved holding Xiao Wen’s legs and alternating them toward his stomach as if pedaling a bicycle. The second required lifting both of Xiao Wen’s legs upward at a 90-degree angle in a rhythmic motion. The third was a clockwise abdominal massage, applying a bit of pressure.

Noticing how seriously the couple was learning, the doctor smiled and asked, “Would you like to try?” Zhu jia, already familiar with these gas-relief exercises thanks to the system, was about to decline when a deep, magnetic voice behind her said, “I’ll try.”

Zhu jia raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Had Mo Yichen changed? Was he beginning to care about the child now?

After washing his hands, Mo Yichen awkwardly mimicked the doctor’s movements. His stiff and clumsy attempt to hold Xiao Wen’s legs caused the baby to grunt and resist, kicking hard to free himself. On his second attempt, Mo Yichen used a lighter touch, but Xiao Wen easily broke free, much to Zhu jia’s amusement. She burst out laughing, finding his actions both endearing and hilarious. The usually elegant and composed Mo Yichen looked entirely out of his element.

Mo Yichen glanced helplessly at Zhu jia, a slight smile tugging at his lips. After a few tries, he finally succeeded.

Even the bespectacled doctor found the scene amusing. Despite Mo Yichen’s status as an elite and a prominent figure, when it came to childcare, everyone started on equal footing and had to learn from scratch.

Once they had mastered the gas-relief exercises, the doctor discussed more tips with Mo Yichen and Zhu jia. “First, feeding must keep up. At this stage, babies have little to do besides eat and grow. Bloating is common in infants this age. I’ll prescribe some probiotics to help regulate his digestive system.”

As he typed the prescription into the computer, the doctor continued, “The neurobehavioral assessment score for your baby is perfect. At home, you can continue behavioral training like tracking objects, sound localization, and tactile stimulation.”

He adjusted his glasses and added, “Passive exercises and tummy time can also be introduced, but make sure to do them between feedings to avoid spit-up. You can also begin rolling exercises, as most babies start learning to roll over around three months.”

The doctor turned to Zhu jia and asked, “Is the baby on a routine schedule?”

Zhujia thought for a moment. “Somewhat. He drinks milk about every 3-4 hours.”

The doctor advised, “It’s time to establish a proper routine. Track his eating, sleeping, and diaper changes to identify patterns. Gradually reduce nighttime feedings to help him develop a day-night rhythm and encourage uninterrupted sleep.”

Hearing this, Zhu jia felt a mix of emotions. Currently, she woke up two to three times every night. If Xiao Wen could develop good sleep habits and sleep through the night, her quality of life would significantly improve!

“Cultivating good habits takes time,” the doctor reminded her, adjusting his glasses again.

“One more thing: don’t underestimate babies at this age. They can see, hear, and even imitate. Providing appropriate sensory stimulation helps their brain development. So, interact with your baby often and talk to him regularly. Don’t assume he doesn’t understand and skip conversations!”

Zhu jia and Mo Yichen exchanged a glance, seeming to reach a tacit understanding.

“That’s all I have to say for today. Do you have any questions?” The bespectacled doctor handed them the printed health report. Zhu jia shook her head and glanced at Mo Yichen, who also showed no reaction. The doctor gave them a few pamphlets on baby feeding and early education before seeing them out.

Pushing Xiao Wen’s stroller out of the consultation room, the medical consultant approached them with a smile. “Mr. Mo, Mrs. Mo, would you like to have your baby vaccinated today? We offer a comprehensive one-year vaccination package. Would you like more details?”