Newborn FAQ's

When do I need to be seen after delivery?

For hospital births, we recommend being seen around five days after delivery. If there are complications with delivery, or with the baby post delivery, the pediatrician at the hospital may recommend you be seen sooner. Once you have a discharge day and time, or are discharged, you want to reach out to schedule your first appointment.

If you deliver at a birth center, they often want you to be seen the next day since you do not spend very long post delivery at their facility.

If you have a home delivery with a midwife some offer a few postpartum infant visits and some do not. Just verify with your midwife when they recommend the baby be seen.

Do you recommend the Hep B vaccine at the hospital?

Unless mom or a primary caregiver is positive for Hepatitis B you can safely refuse the vaccine and we can discuss it at your newborn visit.

Do you recommend the Vitamin K injection at the hospital?

We do recommend Vitamin K. In the United States only the injectable form has been studied and approved. Because of that it is difficult to advise on the effectiveness or proper dosing for the oral vitamin K drops.

Do you recommend the erythromycin eye ointment at the hospital?

The purpose of the erythromycin eye ointment is to prevent the infant from developing blindness when born to a mom with gonorrhea or chlamydia. As long as a mother has received prenatal care and was tested for these infections the risk of ophthalmia neonatorum is very low. The AAP has even requested reexamination of the need for legal mandates for ocular prophylaxis.

What do I need to know about infant jaundice?

If your baby has elevated bilirubin levels in the hospital the pediatrician may order phototherapy for your baby. We will see you within a day or two of discharge and will continue to monitor your baby’s bilirubin levels. Depending on the circumstances, we test with a light touching the skin or do a heel stick to check blood levels. If your baby is eating and pooping well that is a good sign that their liver is working to process the excess bilirubin.

Will I see the same provider in the office or will I see different providers each appointment?

We keep patients with the same provider for well visits unless the parent states they do not have a preference.

For same day appointments we offer whatever is available with whichever provider is in that day unless a specific provider is requested.

I have some concerns about breastfeeding, do you offer support?

We have a lactation consultant who practices out of our office. Please visit Nourish With Knowledge's website for more information about her services. Nourish With Knowledge offers prenatal consults as well as postnatal care.

Does Avery Mae Pediatrics force me to follow a vaccine schedule?

Our office is parent choice when it comes to vaccinations. This means that we offer vaccines but do not require that you give them to your child.

Do you have resources to help us make decisions about vaccines?

Yes. After the initial decisions you make at the hospital regarding the Hepatitis B shot the next opportunity for your child to receive vaccines is not until two months of age. We generally will see you shortly after birth, at two weeks of life, one month, and then two months. We will have ample time to discuss vaccines and answer any questions you have before you must make any decisions. Click here for the recommended vaccine schedule.

I want to circumcise my baby what do I need to know?

If you plan to circumcise, the hospital will require that your child receive the vitamin K injection prior to.

If you plan to have the circumcision done outside of the hospital there are a few things to consider. If your child has received the vitamin K injection we can place a referral to a urologist and they can do the circumcision outpatient in their office within the first couple weeks of life. If you opt for the oral vitamin K drops the urology clinic will require that you wait until at least six months of life before performing the circumcision and the procedure at that time will require sedation.

If you want the circumcision done sooner and plan to opt out of vitamin K supplementation there is one doctor through Connectus health named Dr. Rosenbloom who will perform the procedure. He is generally pretty booked out, you will want to contact their office shortly after birth to schedule.

I don’t want to circumcise my child, is there anything I need to know?

Click here for details on how to care for an uncircumcised penis.

How much should by baby eat in the first week of life?

Click here for information regarding feeding.

What do I need to know about sleep?

Babies do not have regular sleep cycles until about six months of age. While newborns sleep about 16 to 17 hours per day, they may only sleep one or two hours at a time. As babies get older, they need less sleep. However, different babies have different sleep needs. It is normal for a six-month-old to wake up during the night but go back to sleep after a few minutes. Click here for a safe sleep guide.

Often newborns have their days and nights reversed. Click here to learn how to help them sleep better at night.

When do I start tummy time and how much should I do?

Click here for information regarding tummy time.

What are the developmental milestones for my child by age?

Click here for information developmental milestones.

What is the suggested well visit schedule?

Click here for the recommended well check schedule.

Will my insurance cover our visits?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question varies considerably. Most commercial insurances will cover well visits, but not all do. If you call the phone number on the back of your insurance card the representatives for the insurance companies can offer specifics regarding coverage details.