Welcoming a new baby into the family is such an exciting time! Whether you are a new parent or a second or third-time parent, Commonwealth Pediatrics in Midlothian and Richmond, VA is here to support you and guide you in caring for your newborn. If you are new to our practice, we can’t wait to meet your newborn and begin a partnership where you feel supported and comfortable in caring for your baby.
Important Aspects Of Infant Care
Caring for your infant during the early stages of life means providing lots of attention and loving care to ensure your baby develops a healthy bond with you and his caregivers. Additional aspects of caring for your baby include:
Most aspects of infant care revolve around meeting the baby’s basic needs with love, patience and attentiveness. By creating a nurturing and supportive environment, parents and caregivers can lay the foundation for the baby’s healthy physical, emotional and cognitive development while fostering a happy and healthy start to life.
Prenatal Consultation For Expectant Parents
Commonwealth Pediatrics is happy to meet with you prior to your baby’s birth. We invite expectant parents to schedule a complimentary consultation to meet our team and take a look around our office to see if Commonwealth Pediatrics is a good fit for you. At this visit, you can ask questions and get set up for the first appointment after birth. There are many benefits to scheduling a prenatal consultation, including:
Rest assured that these visits foster a sense of trust, provide crucial education and guidance, and equip parents with the knowledge and support they need to ensure the best possible start for their baby’s life.
Feeding Your Baby
Feeding your newborn baby is an intimate and bonding experience for both parents and child. For infants, proper nourishment is vital for healthy growth and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding infants until six months of age. The primary source of nutrition for newborns is breast milk, which provides essential nutrients and antibodies to strengthen a baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding also creates a special bond between the mother and the baby, promoting emotional connection and comfort.
When Do I Start Breastfeeding?
It’s recommended to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first hour, to take advantage of the colostrum, a nutrient-rich substance produced in the initial days of lactation. Frequent and unrestricted breastfeeding is encouraged, as newborns have small stomachs and need to feed often to stay satisfied and hydrated. Commonwealth Pediatrics is pleased to provide experienced lactation consultants to help new mothers adjust to the challenges of nursing or answer any questions about breastfeeding. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our lactation experts, fill out our online appointment request form.
In some situations where breastfeeding is not possible, formula milk can be a suitable alternative. Modern infant formulas are designed to mimic the composition of breast milk and provide the necessary nutrients for the baby’s healthy growth.
How Will I Know When My Baby Is Hungry?
Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby, it’s essential to pay close attention to the baby’s hunger cues and feeding patterns. These cues may include rooting, smacking lips, sucking on fingers or turning towards the breast or bottle. Commonwealth Pediatrics recommends feeding the baby on demand rather than adhering to a strict schedule, as babies have different appetites and growth spurts.
Infant Care Checkups
After your baby is born, you will visit Commonwealth Pediatrics on a regular basis for checkups with your pediatrician. Newborn visits are essential for monitoring growth and development. At these visits, we will assess your baby’s health, measure growth by height, weight and head circumference, address any concerns you may have, and offer guidance on various aspects of infant care. Here is an outline of typical checkups for infants at the pediatrician:
Keeping this schedule of visits with your child’s pediatrician is important because as babies grow, develop and change quickly in the first months of life. Starting at the 2-month visit, your baby will receive the first round of vaccinations in accordance with the CDC immunization schedule. These immunizations are required by the state for children to attend daycare and/or school. They also help protect your child from serious illnesses such as polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
Newborn Safety Tips
Commonwealth Pediatrics follows the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) when it comes to caring for newborn babies. Newborn safety guidelines are essential to ensure the well-being and protection of our precious little ones. These recommendations cover various aspects of caring for newborns to include:
Request An Infant Care Appointment With Commonwealth Pediatrics
When you come in for regular newborn checkups, we will discuss the various aspects of safety that are recommended to keep your baby as safe as possible in the home, car and during sleep. Our team is here to help you parent your baby with confidence. To learn more about infant care, download our Baby Basics brochure. To request an infant care appointment, call our Old Jahnke Road office at (804) 320-1353, our Harbour Pointe office at (804) 739-8166 or our Westchester Commons office at (804) 549-5405. You can also request an appointment using our online form.
Expert Pediatricians. Gentle and Kid-Friendly Care. Peace Of Mind.
Ready For Quality Pediatric Care?
High-quality pediatric services are just a click away! The Commonwealth Pediatrics team is dedicated to providing families with compassionate, patient-focused care you can trust. We put our patients first, and that starts before you ever set foot in our office. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with us, fill out our online appointment request form.
