How your newborn doctor in Kansas City, MO, can help with your newborn
Your pediatrician is an expert at newborn care and can be a valuable resource for you as you care for your newborn. The pediatricians at Pediatric Care North in Kansas City, MO, provide a wide range of pediatric services, including newborn visits and newborn care, to help your newborn thrive.
Your first newborn visit should occur within 2 to 5 days of birth. It may happen while you and your newborn are still in the hospital. During your first newborn visit, your pediatrician will:
- Perform a physical examination of your newborn, checking for any medical issues or concerns
- Record measurements of length, weight, and other information to use as a baseline to check your baby’s ongoing growth and development
- Answer any questions and discuss overall health, feeding, bathing, changing, sleeping, and other newborn information with you
- Provide the first doses of immunizations your baby needs
These are just a few helpful tips to care for your newborn during the first few weeks:
Feeding – your newborn will want to feed every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if you are feeding your newborn formula.
Sleeping – your newborn will sleep at least 16 hours a day in the beginning–remember to always place your newborn on his or her back to sleep, to aid in breathing.
Diaper changes – your newborn’s stool will be black initially, changing to dark green, and then to yellow.
Bathing – bathe your baby with only mild soap and lukewarm water, and carefully clean the folds of the skin, where bacteria can thrive.
To find out more about what to expect from your first newborn visit and other newborn care information, talk with the experts. Call the pediatricians at Pediatric Care North in Kansas City, MO. You can reach them in the office by calling (816) 587-3200, so call now.