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Although I am a healthcare provider, I am not your provider. The information provided here is strictly informational and for reference and should never be used in place of you or your child’s health care providers’ diagnoses or personalized advice.

You and your newborn have been discharged from the hospital! You are finally going home as a new parent! Your world will never be the same! But this is good news!

Now What?

You have their room set up and all the new gadgets in place! You have been planning this day for a very long time! Feedings are going well, but wait…. how often should you be feeding the baby? When should they go to bed? Do I need to bathe him/her every day? OH NO! You have so many questions you forgot to ask!

Luckily, your new baby will be meeting their primary care provider in the next day or 2! Hopefully, you have picked out your pediatrician. If not, don’t worry. Call a friend or get on the internet and ask for recommendations. Most offices will see you the same-day when there is a newborn involved. You will likely have a very early appointment or immediately after lunch. Most offices will try to keep your newborn separated by time and space from other “sick” patients because a newborn’s immune system is not fully mature yet.

Appointment is scheduled!

Ask if you can fill out paperwork ahead of time online to help decrease your wait time.

Start writing down all of your questions because YOU WILL FORGET when you get there, trust me. I have been called back into a room or via phone or even emailed after a visit with the “Oh, I forgot to ask about….” a million times. As a healthcare provider, I want you to feel comfortable with your parenting and to have all of your questions answered. We are a team when it comes to your baby.

• LEAVE EARLY
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete paperwork
• Bring the carseat in to the appointment with you so the provider can check the safety with you.

• Leave your home earlier than you think you should! There will inevitably be a diaper blowout or a crying fit or the carseat will not unlatch. Most offices know to expect newborns will be late for their appointments! It is OK, we understand and most of us have been there too!

• Take your hospital discharge paperwork (usually in a hospital folder) with you to the appointment. This information will be transferred into the new office record.

Expect a long Visit

There is a lot to cover

Getting Ready

• You will have to get the baby completely undressed to get an accurate weight * This is the most effective way to make sure the baby is gaining weight and getting enough calories.
• Listen to the provider first but let them know you have questions when they are done. The provider will go over lots of information and may answer most of your questions.
• Expect a long visit because there is a lot of information to go over and you will likely have a lot of questions.
• Be patient. The provider may have to contact the hospital to get additional information while you are there.
• You may also be asked to go to another site such as a lab to get bloodwork done on the baby. This may be related to the baby’s bilirubin or jaundice.

• Depending on the baby’s weight and how well things are going, your follow up appointment may be in 1-2 days or it may be in a week or 2. If this is your first baby, expect sooner than later.

**Remember, your babys’ healthcare provider is a part of your team. Ask questions and you should feel comfortable with them and their answers. Find a provider that works with you and is a good fit for you and your baby.

Find other newborn and early childhood tips and tricks on other posts in Fitandfulfilledmom.com.

See post on Carseats