Newborns and Children
Having a baby is a joyous time of life, but also a stressful time of life. I encourage people to have ready access to support from family and other health professionals such as midwives, doulas, and lactation consultants.
For newborn babies, I like to have a 15 minute courtesy visit about 6 weeks before the baby is due. If there is no time for a courtesy visit then I prefer the baby be seen by a different practice, at least for the first two months of life.
If after our courtesy visit you do ask me to be your baby’s doctor, then when the baby is born I would ask you to call my office as soon as possible to leave a voicemail and also send an e-mail. If you have not heard back from me within 24 hours I would ask you to page me (no charge for the page of course). I prefer to see the baby within 48 hours after I learn of their arrival, if possible. Hospitals usually recommend seeing your doctor "tomorrow" when people leave the hospital with their baby, but 48 hours is also reasonable. I am not in the office Tuesday or Thursday, although I am available by phone every weekday and by pager on weekends. After the initial newborn visit there is another visit at 2 weeks, and then I like to have well visits about every 3 months for the first year of life, every six months until age three, and once per year after that. Of course, we can have more visits if needed for any acute issues. A good resource for nursing moms is La Leche League.
For newborn babies, I like to have a 15 minute courtesy visit about 6 weeks before the baby is due. If there is no time for a courtesy visit then I prefer the baby be seen by a different practice, at least for the first two months of life.
If after our courtesy visit you do ask me to be your baby’s doctor, then when the baby is born I would ask you to call my office as soon as possible to leave a voicemail and also send an e-mail. If you have not heard back from me within 24 hours I would ask you to page me (no charge for the page of course). I prefer to see the baby within 48 hours after I learn of their arrival, if possible. Hospitals usually recommend seeing your doctor "tomorrow" when people leave the hospital with their baby, but 48 hours is also reasonable. I am not in the office Tuesday or Thursday, although I am available by phone every weekday and by pager on weekends. After the initial newborn visit there is another visit at 2 weeks, and then I like to have well visits about every 3 months for the first year of life, every six months until age three, and once per year after that. Of course, we can have more visits if needed for any acute issues. A good resource for nursing moms is La Leche League.