Newborn babies are delicate and require special care. Your pediatrician can give you the peace of mind you need and help your newborn thrive. Dr. Laurie Molina, Dr. Cara Silvey, and Caroline Gabriel, NP of Physicians at Sweetwater Pediatrics in Sugar Land, TX, provide comprehensive children’s medical care, including newborn visits.
Why Newborn Visits are Important
It’s critically important for your newborn to get a healthy start in life. Newborn visits can help. The first newborn visit should happen within 2 to 5 days of birth. The first visit often happens while you are both still in the hospital.
Newborn visits are important because, in the first days, weeks, and months of life, your baby’s health is fragile. The immune system of a newborn is not fully developed, which puts newborns at risk of acquiring illnesses and diseases.
Symptoms are also much more severe in a newborn than they are in older children. You want to protect your baby’s health as much as possible, and newborn visits can help.
Let’s look at some of the steps your pediatrician will take to help ensure your baby’s health. During newborn visits, your pediatrician will:
- Perform a comprehensive physical examination
- Record your baby’s length, weight, and other factors
- Provide first doses of immunizations
- Discuss any concerns you have about your newborn’s health
In addition to regular newborn visits, you also need to take care of your newborn at home. Remember to:
- Feed your newborn every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if you are feeding your newborn formula
- Let your newborn sleep at least 16 hours a day in the beginning
- Bathe your baby using only mild soap and lukewarm water, and remember to gently clean the folds of skin to prevent bacterial growth
Talk with Our Pediatrician Today
To learn more about the importance of newborn visits, call Dr. Laurie Molina, Dr. Cara Silvey, and Caroline Gabriel, NP of Physicians at Sweetwater Pediatrics in Sugar Land, TX. You can reach them by calling (281) 265-2272, so call now.