Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby(ies). If this is your first, you may be apprehensive, remember that your most valuable resource is your own common sense. Our job is to provide advice and reassurance and, in the face of often differing opinions from friends and family, to help you with decisions regarding the care of your baby.

Throughout your years as parents, remember that children of all ages have their own individual personalities and behavior patterns. Babies enter this world with their own unique temperament, and comparing the reactions of your baby with those of other like aged infants can range from being reassuring, to informative, to concerning. Since the guidelines in this booklet are very general, it is important that they be adapted to your baby and her/his family and special circumstances. As questions arise, please know that members of Chapel Hill Pediatrics look forward to discussing them with you.

After you deliver your baby, please inform the staff in Labor and Delivery that Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents, P.A. will be caring for your baby (offering the name of any of our pediatricians, too, often reduces confusion). Soon after delivery, the nurses in the newborn nursery will examine your baby thoroughly. The morning following delivery the hospital's on-call doctor will examine your baby and visit to answer questions and provide routine newborn counseling. Additionally, should you have pressing concerns not answered by the hospital personnel, please call our office and get a message to our on-call pediatrician.

Chapel Hill Pediatrics will meet your baby when you schedule the first hospital follow-up appointment. We recommend that all infants be seen within 24-48 hours of discharge from the hospital.