Newborn Care Specialist

What newborn care services are available?

Dr. Agathis knows how important it is to choose the right pediatrician for your family, especially when you’re a new parent. 

Newborn care services at Allyson Agathis, MD, include:

• Meet and Greets for expectant parents
• Well-baby checks
• Immunizations
• Recommendations for care, feeding, sleep, and activity
• Breastfeeding support and advice
  
  

You can trust Dr. Agathis to help you promote your child’s wellness from their very first visit in the hospital through toddlerhood, the school-age years, and adolescence.

What is the schedule for newborn, infant, and toddler visits?

The very first comprehensive check of your baby’s health happens before your discharge from the hospital. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you follow this schedule for newborn babies’ checkups and immunization through the first 36 months of life:

• Newborn in-hospital visit
• 1-month checkup
• 2-month checkup
• 4-month checkup
• 6-month checkup
• 9-month checkup
• 12-month checkup
• 15-month checkup
• 18-month checkup
• 24-month checkup
• 30-month checkup
• 3 yrs and up, yearly check-ups
  
  

This schedule may vary slightly depending on your child’s development and health.

What happens at newborn care checkups?

Newborn care checkups are stress-free for parents and babies. The team always wants to hear about your concerns first, then they take your baby’s temperature and measures their length, head circumference, and weight to determine if they’re on track for healthy growth. 

Dr. Agathis also performs a complete physical exam. Then any immunizations and diagnostic blood work are discussed with parents and the patients and are given. At the end of the visit, there is a summary meeting after the patient is dressed where parents are provided with written information about the visits and any questions are answered.

During your hospital stay, Dr. Agathis evaluates how well your baby’s umbilical cord is healing and advises on circumcision, if relevant. At initial visits, she performs developmental screening, including standard hearing and vision checks appropriate for their age, at these appointments.

Divorce situations are always difficult. The team encourages and fosters BOTH parents being comfortable at the office when the child is with them. 

Any written reports and summary of the check-up are typically copied and provided to the non-attending parent by mail or given to the patient to “share “ with the non-attending parent unless circumstances don’t allow for this. 

Dr. Agathis also advises you about specific ways to encourage your child to grow and develop physically and mentally. She can also help you with dietary questions you might have, especially when it comes to breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and transitioning to solid foods.

What immunizations are offered at a newborn visit?

Newborn visits concentrate on newborn care, safety and nutrition. Dr. Agathis provides you with a complete immunization schedule at your first visit and helps you understand why these vaccines are essential to your child’s long-term health and wellness. Immunizations follow the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule with rare exceptions. Dr. Agathis is always interested in hearing patients concerns.

Call Allyson Agathis, MD, today to book an appointment.