Newborn Resources

In the state of Texas, newborn care encompasses a range of essential medical services and support designed to promote the health and well-being of newborns during their early stages of life. Newborn care in Texas typically involves a series of well-baby visits, which are medical appointments scheduled within the first few weeks after birth. During these visits, healthcare providers assess various aspects of the baby’s health and development, including:

1. Physical Examination: The provider will check your baby’s weight, length, eyes, and head circumference. Regular measurements of the baby’s weight, length, and head circumference are taken to track their growth and ensure they are progressing healthily.
2. Feeding and Sleeping Assessment: The provider will evaluate the baby’s feeding habits to ensure proper nutrition and address any feeding-related challenges such as irregular bowel or sleeping habits.
3. Immunizations: Guidance and schedule of recommended immunizations to protect the baby from preventable diseases are discussed during these visits.
4. Screenings: In Texas, newborn screenings typically include a series of tests designed to identify certain genetic, metabolic, and congenital disorders early in a baby’s life. These screenings are crucial as they help identify any potential health issues so they can be addressed as early as possible, allowing for timely interventions and improved outcomes for your newborn baby.
5. Developmental Milestones: Our providers assess the baby’s developmental milestones, such as motor skills, reflexes, and sensory responses, to ensure they are progressing as expected.
6. Parental Guidance: Parents receive valuable guidance on various topics, including safe sleep practices, infant care techniques, soothing methods, and strategies to support their baby’s growth and development.

Newborn visits are typically recommended at specific intervals during the first few weeks and months of a baby’s life. While the exact schedule can vary based on the baby’s individual needs, a common schedule for newborn visits is as follows:

1. First Week: This initial visit is crucial to ensure the baby is adjusting well to life outside the womb and to address any immediate concerns.
2. Two Weeks: This visit allows the healthcare provider to monitor the baby’s growth, feeding patterns, and overall health.
3. One Month: At this visit, the provider continues to assess the baby’s development and address any questions or concerns the parents may have.
4. Two Months: The two-month visit is a significant milestone, as it often includes the first round of vaccinations. The provider will perform a comprehensive check-up, administer vaccinations, and discuss important topics like feeding, sleep, and developmental milestones.
5. Four Months: The four-month visit continues the pattern of growth monitoring and developmental assessment. Additional vaccinations may be administered during this visit as well.
6. Six Months: The six-month visit is an opportunity to assess the baby’s progress and discuss milestones like starting solid foods.

After the initial six months, well-child visits typically continue on a less frequent schedule, such as at nine months, twelve months, and then annually as the child grows. It is important to note that a provider may recommend more frequent visits for your newborn baby to monitor health concerns, such as difficulty feeding, low weight, sleeping issues, or colic.

Your pediatrician will begin administering immunization vaccines at the two-month visit to protect your baby from:

• Polio (IPV)
• Hepatitis B (HepB)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Diphtheria (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae (Hib)
• Pneumococcus (PCV13, PCV15)

Follow-up vaccines of the same immunizations are administered over the first 18 months of your baby’s life to ensure your infant is fully immunized against contagious diseases. For more information, please view the Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth Through 6 Years Old approved by the CDC. More information can be found here.