Newborn Care
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Westside Pediatrics
Board Certified Pediatricians located in Katy, TX
Having a newborn baby to care for is an exciting and uncertain time for many parents. To ensure your newborn is thriving, the skilled pediatricians at Westside Pediatrics offer comprehensive newborn care services at their office in Katy, Texas. Newborn care visits help the team assess your baby’s overall health and give you the information you need to care for your baby. The staff also happily answers your questions and concerns about the many aspects of newborn care. Call the office today to book your newborn care appointment.
Newborn Care Q & A
When should I schedule a newborn care visit?
A newborn checkup is intended to evaluate the overall health of your new baby and create a benchmark of medical information soon after your baby is born.
You should schedule a newborn care visit within a few days of receiving your discharge from the hospital after your baby is born. You can contact Westside Pediatrics ahead of your delivery date to discuss options for scheduling a newborn care appointment.
What can I expect during a newborn care appointment?
During your baby’s first visit, your provider discusses your labor and delivery and any complications you experienced. They also note medical information about your health and your family health history.
As part of a comprehensive physical exam, your Westside Pediatrics physician measures your baby’s height, weight, and head circumference. They also evaluate important factors like:
- Skin health
- Heart rhythm
- Lung function
- Muscle flexibility
- Body temperature
Your doctor checks your baby’s reflexes for sucking, grasping objects, and other movements. As part of your newborn’s physical, your Westside Pediatrics provider assesses your baby’s umbilical cord. If you have a baby boy that underwent a circumcision, your provider evaluates how well the skin is healing.
Depending on what immunizations your baby received at the hospital, the Westside Pediatrics team can create a vaccination schedule and provide any necessary newborn vaccinations during your first visit.
Why is a newborn care visit important?
Another important part of your baby’s newborn care visit is the evaluation of your baby’s behaviors and nutrition. Your Westside Pediatrics provider provides guidance about newborn care, such as:
- Feeding schedule
- Sleeping schedule
- Breastfeeding complications
- Bathing routines and hygiene
- Bowel movement and urination habits
The team also addresses any concerns or questions you have about caring for your newborn baby and coping with the many changes that are occurring in your life as a parent to a newborn.
If you’re planning to deliver soon or have recently been discharged from the hospital, call the office to schedule your newborn care evaluation today.
