With the birth of your newborn infant comes an amazing new world. After
nine long months of anticipation, visits to your obstetrician and/or midwife,
careful nutrition including prenatal vitamins, taking extra good care of
yourself, and redefining your life, it's time for Baby!
Congratulations on your newborn! Within 24 hours after discharge from the hospital, we like to see your newborn in our office. During this first visit we will examine your baby and answer your questions. Some common questions that we can discuss include infant immunizations, circumcision, and general questions about newborn care.
If your baby is being born at home, we welcome your baby to our practice. A short checklist for homebirth babies includes discussing the Michigan Newborn Screening Blood Work testing and Heart Screening with your mid-wife and/or doula. Another consideration for homebirth babies is whether to have vitamin K supplementation. We can discuss these medical points with you before your babys birth in a complementary meet-the-doc appointment. In general we recommend that you bring your newborn to our office a few days after birth for a complete exam. If you choose to wait until your infant is a little older, please contact us to notify us of your new babies arrival.
Perhaps your most important decision is how you are going to feed your baby. There are many benefits of breastfeeding, and it is strongly encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the first year of life. However, formula feedings is a healthy alternative for your baby.
Breast Feeding
The benefits of breastfeeding include superior nutrition and
prevention of infection. Other possible benefits are increased intelligence
and decreased allergies. Exclusive breast feeding is recommended for the first
six months of life, continuing with partial breast feeding until at least one
year of age. Breast feeding is also economical. The average cost of feeding
a baby formula for the first year of life is $1,500.00. This is in contrast
to the "caloric-cost" of breast feeding, which is less than $100.00 per
year.
We offer these guidelines for establishing breast feeding in the hospital:
1. Breast feed within the first hour after delivery.
2. Breast feed on demand,
or about every 2 hours for 10 to 20 minutes
(even at night). More frequent and longer feedings are fine and will help with
the milk supply.
3. Only give your baby breast milk, unless formula is medically
indicated.
4. Keep your baby with you at all times and all night long, unless
it is medically necessary for your baby to be in the nursery.
Formula Feeding
There are many formulas on the market making the decision of which one to
choose difficult. Powdered formulas are the least expensive. Always mix them
according to the package instructions. We suggest that you start with a cow's
milk protein based formula with iron. Newborns usually require 1 to 2 ounces
every 2 to 3 hours for the first week of life.
Discharge Instructions
We would like to see your baby in our office 24 hours after discharge from the hospital. Please call between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays to schedule an appointment.
The time in your childs life from newborn to toddler is one of constant change and complete fascination. Watching your baby transform from newborn into young child is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.
During this time we will be seeing your baby in the office on a regular basis, usually starting the day after discharge from the hospital. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child exams at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, and 18 months of age and continuing at age 2 on an annual basis.
We will cover many topics including:
Breast feeding, lactation counseling, and maternal nutrition
Formula feedings
Infant length, weight, and head growth assessment
Infant and toddler milestones in development
Nutritional concerns
Safety recommendations
Infant and toddler immunizations
Family and social history
Current medical concerns such as infant rashes and colds
General guidance in childrearing
In addition to the well-child exams, we see infants and toddlers often in the office for sick visits and conferences. We offer same-day sick visits Monday through Friday. Our nurses are available for questions and we are available after hours for urgent questions in the evenings and on the weekends.
To schedule an appointment.
please call (734) 408-4182
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8
a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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