Your baby’s first visit is an opportunity to make sure your newborn is feeding well, gaining weight appropriately, and transitioning well after birth. We will review the hospital records, newborn screenings, feeding, jaundice, stools/urination, sleep, and any concerns you may have.
We generally recommend that newborns be seen within 1–3 days after leaving the hospital. Babies with feeding difficulties, excessive weight loss, jaundice, prematurity, or other medical concerns may need to be seen sooner. Your baby’s discharge instructions will also include recommendations for follow-up based on their individual needs.
Newborns naturally have very low levels of vitamin K, which is needed for normal blood clotting. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) can occur in otherwise healthy babies and can sometimes cause serious bleeding, including bleeding in the brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a one-time intramuscular vitamin K injection for newborns because it is the most effective way to prevent VKDB.
No. Vitamin K is not a vaccine. It is a vitamin given by injection to help prevent potentially serious bleeding in newborns.
We encourage parents to discuss any concerns about vitamin K with their newborn care team before delivery whenever possible. If you are considering declining vitamin K in the hospital, please schedule a prenatal consultation with us so we can discuss it before your baby is born. While we can discuss options if you change your mind after delivery, obtaining vitamin K after leaving the hospital may be more complicated.
Oral vitamin K regimens are not considered equivalent to the recommended intramuscular dose. The AAP does not recommend oral vitamin K as a substitute because it is less effective at preventing late-onset VKDB.
Vitamin K is important when considering circumcision because circumcision carries a risk of bleeding. If you decline vitamin K in the hospital, this may affect whether and when your baby can be circumcised. Outpatient circumcision providers may have different requirements regarding vitamin K and may recommend waiting until your baby is a certain age before performing the procedure.
The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely recommended beginning at birth. If you have questions or concerns about the newborn hepatitis B vaccine, we encourage you to discuss them with your obstetric or newborn care team. If you would like to discuss newborn vaccines with one of our pediatricians before delivery, we recommend scheduling a prenatal consultation with our office.
Newborn eye prophylaxis is given to prevent serious eye infections that can occur when a baby is exposed to certain bacteria during delivery. Parents who have questions or concerns about the eye medication should discuss them with their obstetric and newborn care teams.
Newborns routinely receive several screenings, which may include:
We encourage you to discuss this with the hospital team before delivery whenever possible. Some items have specific medical, hospital, or state requirements, and the process for declining them can vary. We want to make sure you understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives before making a decision.
Absolutely. If you have questions about newborn care, vaccines, vitamin K, circumcision, feeding, screenings, or other decisions you are considering, we encourage you to schedule a prenatal consultation with one of our physicians or nurse practitioners. This allows us to discuss your questions before you are in the hospital with a newborn.
Bring your baby’s hospital discharge paperwork and any information regarding medications, feeding, newborn screenings, or procedures performed in the hospital. The hospital typically gives you a folder with all of that information.
We know every family is different. This page is intended to provide general information and does not replace an individualized discussion with your pediatrician. If you have questions about a specific decision you are considering for your baby, please contact our office to schedule a prenatal consultation.