Your Newborn's First Doctor's Visits: What to Expect

Bringing a newborn home is both joyful and overwhelming, especially with all the medical checkups recommended in the early days. These initial visits play a crucial role in ensuring that your baby is feeding well, growing properly, and adapting to life outside the womb. In the first few weeks, pediatricians closely monitor your baby's health, providing guidance and reassurance for new parents. Here’s what to expect from these first few doctor’s visits and how an in-home pediatric concierge service can add comfort and convenience to your newborn's care journey.

The Importance of Newborn Checkups

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend regular well-baby visits during the first few weeks after birth. These checkups help ensure that your baby is healthy and developing well. They also allow the pediatrician to identify any early concerns, monitor for jaundice, check feeding and weight gain, and offer you guidance on newborn care. These visits are essential not only for assessing physical health but also for supporting new parents in learning about newborn care and development.

When Are the First Visits Scheduled?

Typically, the first pediatric visit happens within 3-5 days after birth, especially if this is your first baby or if your baby was discharged early from the hospital. Subsequent checkups are usually scheduled at 2 weeks, 1 month, and then continue monthly until six months.

With a pediatric concierge service, you can avoid the stress of traveling to a clinic and instead have these appointments at home, allowing for a more relaxed environment for you and your newborn. This is especially helpful in the winter months when avoiding exposure to common illnesses like colds and flu is critical. Newborns have reduced immunity for the first 6 weeks of life and at home visits are imperative in decreasing these infants form becoming sick, catching an infection from the clinic environment. at home visits are ideal for newborns and overall for all infants, who are just building their immune responses. 

What to Expect During These Visits

1. Physical Examination

During the first few checkups, your pediatrician will conduct a comprehensive physical exam. This includes checking your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference to track growth. The doctor will also examine the eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, abdomen, hips, and reflexes to ensure that everything is developing as expected.

Concierge Benefit: With a concierge pediatrician, the exam happens right in your home. This allows your baby to be assessed in a familiar environment, which can help reduce stress for both baby and parents.

2. Feeding Assessment

Feeding is one of the most critical aspects of newborn care, as it directly impacts growth and development. During the first few visits, the pediatrician will ask questions to evaluate how well your baby is feeding, whether breastfed or formula-fed. They’ll assess latch quality if breastfeeding, discuss frequency and duration, and address any concerns you might have, like reflux or spitting up.

Concierge Benefit: Having a pediatrician observe feeding in your home environment allows for personalized advice that matches your setup. They can provide guidance on feeding positions or tips for maintaining a good breastfeeding routine with the equipment you have at home.

3. Weight Checks

Weight gain is one of the primary indicators of a newborn’s health. Newborns generally lose a small percentage of their birth weight in the first few days, but they should start gaining it back by the end of the first week. The pediatrician will track your baby's weight closely to ensure healthy progress.

Concierge Benefit: With at-home visits, weight checks are done without the hassle of leaving the house, ensuring that your baby is monitored without any disruption to your routine. This can also reduce the anxiety of potential exposure to germs in a clinic setting.

4. Jaundice Screening

Jaundice is common in newborns and usually harmless, but in some cases, it requires monitoring. Your pediatrician will check your baby's skin and eyes for yellowing, which is a sign of jaundice and may perform additional tests if needed.

Concierge Benefit: An experienced pediatrician can help detect jaundice early and determine whether additional checks are necessary. Quick assessment and timely referrals for lab work, if needed, allow for the earliest possible start of phototherapy, which can reduce the time your baby needs treatment. Often, a skilled pediatrician can gauge the severity of jaundice based on the infant's appearance and physical exam alone.

5. Umbilical Cord and Circumcision Care

In the early days, care of the umbilical cord stump and, if applicable, circumcision site, is important. Your pediatrician will inspect these areas, give you guidance on how to keep them clean and ensure they’re healing properly.

Concierge Benefit: An in-home visit allows you to ask detailed questions about daily hygiene and healing while in the setting where you’ll be performing these routines. This makes it easier to follow through with care instructions.

6. Vaccinations and Preventive Care

Although most vaccinations start at the 2-month visit, your pediatrician will discuss the vaccination schedule with you early on. This initial discussion helps you plan and understand the importance of immunizations, especially for preventing illnesses like whooping cough and flu, which can be severe in young babies.

Concierge Benefit: With a concierge pediatric service, the doctor provides personalized guidance on vaccinations, ensuring you have a clear and convenient plan in place. Additionally, The doctor can offers comprehensive preventive care advice tailored to your baby’s specific health needs, helping you stay proactive about their wellness. This continuous support gives parents peace of mind and allows them to focus on their child’s health without the stress of navigating the healthcare system alone.

Addressing Common Parental Concerns

Newborn care can come with a range of questions, and these early visits are a great time to bring them up. Parents often wonder about sleep patterns, safe sleeping positions, feeding frequency, and even signs of colic. Pediatricians are there to answer all your questions, big or small, ensuring you feel supported and informed.

A concierge pediatrician can provide additional reassurance by being accessible via phone or text for questions between visits. This constant support can be a tremendous relief for first-time parents or for those with additional questions that arise after the doctor leaves.

For families looking for a calming, convenient approach to newborn checkups and ongoing pediatric support, Pediatric Wellness Concierge brings peace of mind with every visit. Starting this journey with a trusted pediatrician by your side can make all the difference in navigating the joys and challenges of welcoming a new baby.

About the writer: Maya Levy, M.D. is a pediatrician with over 20 years of experience in various healthcare settings, including outpatient care, urgent care, telemedicine, and private practice. Now based in Florida, Dr. Levy provides comprehensive pediatric care with a focus on preventative health, chronic conditions, and personalized in-home care.