new parents Questions with a pediatrician for our new parents.
When will I see the pediatrician? We know you’ll be anxious for your little one to get checked out after delivery. A pediatrician will perform a history and physical exam on your baby within 24 hours of life. Most pediatricians make rounds in the morning, though some do it later in the day. The pediatrician will see your baby and talk to you every day until you and your baby go home. We do not attend deliveries, but the neonatologist in-house is available for any urgent care or concerns. Who will circumcise my baby and what are the benefits? Either your OB or your pediatrician will circumcise your baby. Not all doctors do circumcisions, so if your OB or your pediatrician does not, one of the other pediatricians will. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement in August 2012 that the health benefits of circumcisions outweigh the risks, and therefore, there is a medical reason for the procedure, but ultimately the parents should decide. Benefits include better hygiene, lower incidents of urinary tract infections in boys under age two, much lower incidence of penile cancer in adult males and lower incidence of cervical cancer in women whose sexual partners have been circumcised. In addition, circumcision lowers the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. In the United States, 70-80% of baby boys are circumcised.
Rowena Baumgartner, M.D. 6160 South Yale Avenue
John Lukeman, D.O.
10506 South Memorial Drive
When do I bring my baby back to the pediatrician after leaving the hospital? We generally like to see your baby in the office one to three days after discharge from the hospital. We will be examining your baby, checking your baby’s weight, feedings, jaundice and address any concerns and questions you may have. All babies lose weight the first few days until the mother’s breast milk comes in. Babies can lose up to 10% of their birth weight. Breast fed babies should get back to their birth weight by 10 to 14 days. Bottle fed babies take seven to 10 days, since they don’t have to wait for the mother’s breast milk to come in. What supplements will my baby need? The mother’s breast milk has everything the baby needs. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all breast fed babies receive 400IU of vitamin D daily to ensure good vitamin D levels. There are several different brands and your pediatrician will discuss this with you at the office visit. Formula fed babies do not need additional supplements. The formula has everything the baby needs. Do not give your baby any extra water, since this may throw off his/her electrolyte balance. If your baby needs supplements, your pediatrician will discuss this with you.