Newborn Care

If you’ve just had a baby, finding a pediatrics provider specializing in newborn care is vital to ensure superior health outcomes. At Merritt Pediatrics in San Antonio, Texas, board-certified pediatrician Christina Merritt, MD, cares for children from newborns through the teenage years. She ensures that your new addition receives top-quality care in a welcoming, compassionate environment. Schedule a newborn care appointment at Merritt Pediatrics by phone or request one online today.

What is newborn care?

Personalized newborn care with Dr. Merritt involves medical evaluations, diagnostic testing, and treatments for newborns from the moment your baby leaves the hospital. Dr. Merritt can see your baby for the first time when you’re still in the hospital right after giving birth. She’s highly trained to meet the medical needs of babies of all ages, providing exceptional healthcare.

What are the benefits of routine newborn care?

Newborns have specific healthcare needs, and ensuring those needs are met is one of the best ways to maximize the growth and development of your baby. Newborn care offers the opportunity to prevent minor health problems from getting worse. It allows you to ask questions about parenting and your baby’s well-being in a comfortable environment.

What should I expect during newborn care appointments?

During newborn care visits, Dr. Merritt examines your baby and screens for signs of health and developmental concerns. She weighs your baby and evaluates their length, head circumference, and vital signs.

She completes a comprehensive physical exam and asks about your baby’s typical daily routine. This includes their eating and sleeping habits, developmental milestones, and how often they have wet and dirty diapers.

In some cases, Dr. Merritt will suggest diagnostic tests to detect or rule out medical concerns. She also offers nutrition education and takes as much time as you need to answer your questions. Dr. Merritt can administer vaccines that are appropriate for your baby’s age.

Rather than billing an insurance company, Merritt Pediatrics uses a concierge medicine model. You pay a monthly membership fee for all primary care services. Dr. Merritt is available after hours to address urgent medical needs by phone or messaging.

How often should a medical provider see my newborn?

Schedule a visit with Dr. Merritt right after your baby is born (in the hospital) and when they are 3-5 days old. Then, schedule an appointment when they are one, two, four, six, nine, and 12 months old.

You can also call Dr. Merritt anytime you have questions or concerns about your newborn’s health, if they become ill or struggle to eat, or if your baby develops unusual symptoms.

Schedule a newborn care visit at Merritt Pediatrics by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.