NewBorn Care Specialist
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KID-DOC Pediatrics
Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine located in San Antonio, TX
Your newborn child is a gift to be cherished, so make sure to take every measure to ensure your baby is healthy and developing as they should. KID-DOC Pediatrics provides excellent newborn care, which boasts a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located in San Antonio, Texas. Call the office or book an appointment online to schedule your newborn care visit today.
Newborn Care Q&A
What does newborn care involve?
Newborn care is an appointment or series of appointments to assess the health of your newborn baby. At your first newborn care visit, your pediatrician administers a well-child exam in addition to evaluating your child’s feeding, taking measurements of their body, and checking for any indication of jaundice.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bringing in your child for their first pediatrics visit within their first week after they are born. When you come for your visit, remember to bring your child’s hospital discharge papers.
What measurements do you take?
Your pediatrician takes a few measurements during your newborn’s well-child exam to monitor their growth and track their development. Some of the measurements they take include:
Head circumference
Head circumference is the distance around your newborn’s head. A typical newborn’s head is usually about half of their body length plus 10 centimeters. The average head circumference for a newborn is 13.75 inches or 35 centimeters.
Body length
This is the distance from the top of your newborn’s head to the heel of one of their feet. Newborn babies are, on average, roughly 19.75 inches or 50 centimeters long.
Weight
Babies that are significantly underweight or overweight tend to be more susceptible to issues, so your newborn’s weight can be a good indicator of their overall health. Newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in their first few days, but the average weight for a full-term baby is roughly 3.2 kilograms or seven pounds.
What does a newborn physical exam entail?
When you come in for your newborn care, your pediatrician administers a physical exam of your child to assess their health. This involves measuring a number of their vital functions, including their:
- Respiratory Rate
- Heart rate
- Oxygen saturation
- Temperature
Your pediatrician also evaluates your child’s:
- Ears
- Mouth, throat, and tongue
- Head and neck
- Abdomen
- Lungs
- Skin
- Eyes, nose, and cheeks
- Genitals and anus
Lastly, they assess your newborn’s appearance, like their posture, muscle tone, activity, and alertness. The team at KID-DOC Pediatrics is especially gentle, compassionate, and makes your newborn’s physical exam a quick and comfortable process.
Do you provide lactation support?
The team at KID-DOC Pediatrics provides exceptional lactation support to encourage your newborn to properly feed.
Lactation support involves your pediatrician observing the mother while they feed their newborn. Your pediatrician watches for any signs of difficulty or ways to improve feeding, like holding your baby’s head at a different angle or supporting their cheek. They might also use a stethoscope to evaluate your newborn’s breathing and swallowing while feeding.
Call the offices at KID-DOC Pediatrics to schedule your newborn care today, or book your visit online.
