Newborn Education

Dear Parents:

Parenthood is one of life’s greatest adventures. Congratulations!

The pediatricians and staff at Bayside Pediatrics, Inc. are pleased to have this opportunity to do their best to help your baby enjoy a healthy childhood. Pediatrics is the medical specialty which provides medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. Our physicians have an extra measure of concern, compassion and interest in your child's well being and in your child’s health problems. If this is your first child you probably have lots of questions. Anything that concerns your desire to understand and care for your baby is important to discuss with your pediatrician.

Family and friends are anxious to see the newborn. For a few weeks, limit your baby’s visitors, avoid large crowds and wash hands before handling the baby. The newborn needs a little time to build an immune system. Your newborn will be examined daily while in the hospital. The pediatrician who will care for your baby in the future should be the one who examines your newborn in the hospital and may help you with problems that may arise before your first office visit.

If you are discharged within 48 hours, we would like to see the baby on the 3rd or 4th day of life. Otherwise, your baby’s first office visit is usually at 2 weeks of age. Should a problem arise before then, you should call us. Sometimes a parent finds it difficult to decide when their baby/child is sick. When you are concerned it is advisable to call us. Signs and symptoms which usually occur with illness include:

Newborn to 2-3 months of age:

Rectal temp over 100.4 F
Irritability-can not be consoled
Refusal to eat
Repeated projectile vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea

Infants and children:

Fever (oral/rectal temperature greater then 102’F)
Unusual rash
Repeated vomiting (not spitting up)
Diarrhea (frequent, loose, watery stools-anytime if blood or mucus)
Persistent crying that cannot be soothed
Persistent lethargy and inactivity

During business hours, if you need to speak to your pediatrician and no one is available to pick up the call immediately, an electronic message will be sent to their notebook with different priority flags and your call will be returned promptly. The office staff is trained to answer some medical questions following a protocol approved by your pediatrician and the call and the response will be documented and reviewed for appropriateness by one of the pediatricians before the end of the day. After business hours and during lunch a pediatrician will be available for EMERGENCY situations.