Newborns

You’re Expecting!

And we’re so excited for you!

We would love to meet you in advance of your delivery so you can get to know our practice, philosophy and processes. Please call either office to schedule a virtual or in person Pre-Natal visit with one of our providers.

Some Things to Know before the Big Day!

DUNWOODY PEDIATRICS  FOLLOWS THE VACCINE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS.



Doctor using a stethoscope to examine a newborn baby's chest. Baby is lying on a bed and smiling.
  • When does my newborn have their first checkup?

    Your newborn's first checkup occurs just days after leaving the hospital. This comprehensive exam ensures your baby is growing and developing normally. During the visit, the pediatrician will:


    • Check your baby's weight, length, and head circumference
    • Assess feeding, bowel, and sleeping habits
    • Conduct a physical examination, including an eye exam
    • Perform a developmental evaluation

    These checkups also provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. Whether you're unsure about bathing, facing feeding challenges, or concerned about sleep schedules, this is your time to address any concerns.

  • What screenings does newborn care include?

    Some states screen for genetic and rare medical conditions, including 32 core and 24 secondary conditions. The goal is to identify and treat diseases early enough to prevent serious complications such as growth problems, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, blindness, deafness, and seizures.


    Within the first 24 hours after delivery, your newborn has a hearing screening, and blood is drawn from their heel to run the routine screening tests. Some states require the same procedure to take place at your baby’s two-week checkup.

  • What are well-child visits?

    Well-child visits are ongoing checkups for children that follow a specific schedule. 


    During each visit, your child's pediatrician will evaluate their growth, developmental milestones, and behaviors. If your baby needs routine blood draws, they can also be done in the office. Every well-child checkup is an opportunity to talk with your child's pediatrician about your child's health, growth, development, and wellbeing.


    Your pediatrician will give immunizations at the two-month visit to protect your baby from:


    • Polio
    • Hepatitis B
    • Rotavirus
    • Diphtheria
    • Haemophilus Influenzae
    • Pneumococcus

    Small doses of the same immunizations are repeated several times over the first 18 months to be sure your infant is fully immunized against contagious diseases.

  • Plan to contact your insurance company as soon as the baby is born. This is very important because there are frequent visits to your pediatrician in the first few months of your baby’s life and you want to ensure your insurance for the baby is effective for those visits. Your baby will typically be covered under your or your spouse's insurance plan for the first month but needs to be added as a dependent before the 30 days are up so we can confirm insurance. If you have any questions, please call our billing department for guidance.
  • Your baby will require periodic well-check visits based on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Periodicity Schedule designed to track the development of your child. You can find this schedule under “Medical Information - Growth and Development” section of this website.
  • Visit "Medical Information" on our website. The Newborns section has valuable medical information on a variety of topics from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also visit our Breastfeeding section, if you’re exploring this option.
  • Complete the forms sent electronically before your baby’s first visit to ensure a smooth check-in
  • Finally, since you’re on our website and have some free time (for now!), please browse the website to see how much information we have available for you as your child grows. Our patients love our “Is Your Child Sick” section, where you can search by symptom for reliable information, determine dosages for medications, as well as a symptom checker for you, the caregiver! Don’t search the internet, we have all the information you need!


Additional breastfeeding resources: 

  1. I Wish Someone Had Told Me
  2. Breastfeeding in the Hospital 
  3. Is My Baby Getting Enough?


Your Bundle of Joy Arrives!


Congratulations! We can’t wait to meet your baby!

We would like to see your baby in our office 1 week after delivery (but always per hospital discharge directions). Since this is a hectic, sometimes sleep-deprived time, write down your questions as you think of them and then bring to your first few visits so we can discuss. As with any age child, don’t hesitate to call us with any issues or concerns once you’re home with your baby!


Watch our video about welcoming your newborn home!