Pediatric Care
First Visit
In general, the first visit for your baby in our office should be between day 3 - 5 of life. The reason for this is that the majority of problems related to feeding, jaundice (yellow skin), and heart disease appear. Infants will be seen by one of the staff neonatologists at New York Presbyterian or Lenox Hill Hospital at birth. We advise parents to call once the infant is born. Usually, the father is free to do this by calling and setting up an initial appointment. Discharge from the hospital for a normal vaginal delivery is usually 2 days. If a c-section is necessary, mother and infant may stay as long as 4 days. It is important to remember that our appointments run on time and infants are seen immediately when scheduled. Bring the following to your first visit:
- Pink slip (state metabolic infant screening test, given at discharge)
- Pampers
- Question (all questions are valid)
- Remember try to be relaxed and comfortable
We will make every effort to answer your questions and concerns.
Breastfeeding or Formula?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for all infants in the first year of life. Breast milk has all the components of nutrition, protein, iron, essential fatty acids and carbohydrates responsible for normal growth and development.
In addition, breast milk has maternal antibodies which provide some assistance in warding off early infections of the respiratory and intestinal tracts. Most mothers enjoy the intimacy that only breast feeding can give.
We encourage our mothers to breastfeed. However, many mothers in American culture discontinue by 2 months. They return to work, they want more freedom, or are just plain tired of doing it. It can be very demanding of the mother. If you decide to switch to formula feeding, we will help make the change and show you that formula fed babies do just as well physically, developmentally and emotionally as infants that are strictly nursed. There should be no guilt about making the switch to formula or deciding not to breastfeed. This is an individual decision all mothers should be allowed to make without pressure from parents, physician or medical associations.
The average number of infections that an infant or toddler has is 6 - 12/yr regardless of feeding method. Healthier infants are seen in families where there are no smokers and children are raised at home and avoid daycare. Breastfeeding does not guarantee an infection free first year. Breastfeeding is an individual choice but probably the biggest one you have to make when your baby is born, so whether you breastfeed, breastfeed with formula supplementation or just use ready to serve formula, we will try to make you feel comfortable and satisfied with your decision.
Contact : Irwin Rappaport
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