Newborn Pediatrician Care
Bringing your baby home from the hospital or birthing center is a time of immense joy, but it can also be a little scary taking charge of such a precious infant. With the support of the pediatric team, parents can make sure their baby receives everything they need from newborn baby’s primary care onwards. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a pediatrician or doctor.
Newborn Care Q & A
What Is Newborn Care?
Newborn care is the support you get after your baby is born. When all the fuss of the birth dies down, and you start on the routine daily care of your infant.
The obstetrics team at the hospital or your midwife will have given you a great start and supplied you with all the advice and health information you need, of course.
You also know your baby has had their first round of infant health checks, been weighed and measured, and received a Vitamin K shot and any vaccinations they need.
You know the people looking after you aren’t going to send you home unprepared, but if you’re a new mom, getting home from the birthing center or hospital and taking charge of a precious little human can feel somewhat overwhelming.
When should I take my newborn baby for their first doctor’s health exam?
Healthy, full-term babies usually need their first pediatrician’s exam between three and five days after they’re born.
If your baby was premature or there were any complications, for example, you had gestational diabetes, you might need to see your newborn pediatrician sooner. The doctors or midwife will advise you before you go home.
Newborns usually need a second checkup two weeks later, and a third when they reach two months of age.
What happens at the first newborn care exam?
A newborn’s first exam involves a comprehensive physical health check by a pediatrician or doctor to make sure everything’s looking the way it should.
Your pediatrician measures your newborn’s length and the circumference of their head. They also weigh your baby and compare the result to the baby’s birth weight. Sometimes infants lose weight in their first few days, but it’s important to check they haven’t lost too much.
Your provider also checks things like your newborn’s vision and hearing, listens to their heart and breathing, and tests their reflexes. You can also discuss any child health issues or worries you have with our pediatricians and get help if you’re having any problems.
Most new moms have some areas they struggle with, whether it’s getting a good latch when breastfeeding their child, or having problems getting your baby to sleep.
The first newborn baby care visit is also an opportunity to set up your baby’s schedule of immunizations with doctors or pediatricians.