Taking Care of Your Newborn

Caring for a newborn can be intimidating for some individuals, especially if it is your first baby. The pediatricians at Nova Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine in Springfield are here to help. Our experienced and caring providers can walk you through everything you need to know about taking care of your newborn.

Importance of Well Child Visits

Well-child visits are regular checkups with a pediatrician that enable the doctor to monitor your baby’s growth and development. Your newborn will be seen by a pediatrician at the hospital following birth. However, your baby should also see his or her regular pediatrician for a well-child visit within a few days of being discharged from the hospital. A second checkup is usually scheduled for two weeks following the first appointment. A third well visit can be scheduled for when your baby is two months old.

Well-child visits are important for many reasons. They allow the pediatric staff to ensure your baby is reaching typical growth and development milestones. Regular checkups also allow the doctor to check for any concerns that might have developed since the last visit. Another reason well-child appointments are so important is that they give parents and caregivers an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance regarding various aspects of newborn care, such as nutrition.

Importance of Immunization

Immunization is an essential aspect of well-child visits for many infants and children. Immunization involves administering vaccines to protect your child from harmful diseases by enabling your little one to develop immunity to those diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed an immunization schedule indicating the ages when each dose of a specific vaccine should be administered, beginning in infancy. One of the knowledgeable pediatricians at our office in Springfield can explain the schedule and answer your immunization questions.

We are here to help you ensure your baby remains healthy and happy. Our skilled pediatric staff can provide all the information you need to take excellent care of your newborn. To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician, call Nova Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine in Springfield, VA at (703) 451-3333. We also have an office in Woodbridge, VA that can be reached at (703) 491-2141.