In a baby’s first year, every month brings new changes. At Pediatric Associates at Ridge, experienced pediatrician Maria Hoffman-Guardia, MD, support parents and their newborns in this crucial stage of life through holistic newborn care in the McAllen, Texas, office. Call the office or book your appointment online today.
Newborn care is medical care tailored to children in their first year of life. At the newborn stage, every month brings new changes — and often, new challenges and questions for parents. Newborn care at Pediatric Associates at Ridge offers complete medical support for newborn babies and their families, provided by highly experienced pediatric care specialists.
Newborn care has many facets, including:
Well-baby visits are designed to help your baby thrive in their first year. Pediatric Associates at Ridge performs well-baby visits to check for proper growth and development and provide education about your child’s needs.
Well-baby visits are also the ideal time to ask questions about eating, sleeping, and other aspects of your baby’s life.
Routine screenings, like checking on developmental milestones, are part of your child’s well-baby visits. At certain ages, your child will have more in-depth developmental screenings during their appointments. The screenings evaluate many aspects of development, including cognition, speech, motor skills, and emotional development.
Developmental screenings can help pediatric care specialists assess risk for physical, mental, and emotional delays or problems.
Immunizations are usually administered during well-baby exams. Pediatric Associates at Ridge strongly recommends following the immunization schedule and guidelines approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Having your baby’s immunizations at the proper times ensures maximum protection against the diseases they’re most likely to encounter as they grow. Most of your child’s immunizations occur during their first few years, especially in the newborn period, because that’s when your child’s most vulnerable to severe disease complications.
Sick visits happen anytime your child’s sick or feeling bad. Sore throat, earaches, and fever are a few of the most common reasons parents schedule sick visits for their newborns.
Pediatric Associates at Ridge serves as a central hub for all your baby’s newborn care.
Your newborn should have their first visit before they’re five days old, with additional appointments at:
Then, your child has visits at 15, 18, 24, and 30 months followed by annual well-child exams until they’re 18.
Call Pediatric Associates at Ridge or book your baby’s appointment online now.