Caring for Your Newborn

How your Plano, TX, pediatrician can help you

Newborn Childcare and the First Visit

Your pediatrician sees your newborn for their first appointment a few days after being discharged from the hospital. During the first well visit, you will meet the pediatrician and ask questions about newborn care and your baby. The pediatrician will also perform a physical exam to observe your baby’s development and behavior, as well as track their growth.

Here are a few things your Plano doctor may discuss during your visit:

• Diapers: Your baby's stool, known as meconium, will pass over the first few days, and as they begin eating more, the stool will change from black meconium to dark green or yellow in color. If your baby's stool is white or red, you need to inform your doctor right away.
   
• Feeding: Breastmilk or formula is your baby's main nutritional source during the first year of life. Your pediatrician will track your baby's growth by monitoring their feeding habits and patterns. 
   
• Sleep: Most newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours per day. Sleep cycles for infants, however, usually don’t normalize until about six months of age.
   
• Bathing: Infants don't require daily bathing as long as their diaper area is clean. Bathing a baby too frequently may dry out their skin, so use a sponge while bathing them, and clean the areas where the skin folds or dirt gets and food particles may get trapped.
   
• Well-visits during the first year: Your pediatrician will need to see your baby at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 2 years, after your newborn’s initial well visit.

To schedule your newborn's first visit, call Willow Bend Pediatrics in Plano, TX, today!