Newborn Care — A Trusted Partner from Your Baby's Very First Days
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Bringing home a newborn is one of the most profound experiences a parent will ever have — and one of the most overwhelming. Nothing fully prepares you for those first days at home: the feeding questions, the sleep questions, the is-this-normal questions that seem to come every hour. At Happy Days Pediatrics, we are here for all of it. We welcome your baby starting with their very first visit at just 3 to 5 days old, and we walk alongside your family through every milestone that follows.
Dr. Barakah Day understands that new parents need more than a medical exam. They need clear explanations, honest reassurance, and a physician who will actually answer their questions without making them feel rushed or dismissed. Our newborn visits are structured with extra time built in specifically because new parents almost always have more questions than the last parent — and that is completely normal and completely welcome.
If you are expecting, we encourage you to schedule a prenatal consultation with Dr. Day before your baby arrives. This visit gives us a chance to meet your family, review any prenatal concerns, answer your questions about newborn care, and make sure we are ready and prepared the moment your baby is born. There is no pressure and no commitment required — just an opportunity to feel prepared.
What To Expect
- Weight check and growth assessment against newborn norms
- Full head-to-toe physical examination
- Jaundice screening and follow-up if needed
- Feeding evaluation — breastfeeding support and formula guidance
- Umbilical cord care instructions
- Circumcision care instructions if applicable
- Safe sleep education (back to sleep, firm surface, room-sharing guidelines)
- Newborn screening follow-up from hospital tests
- Hepatitis B vaccine if not given at hospital
- Postpartum check-in for parents — Dr. Day pays attention to caregiver wellbeing too
Recommended Well - Child Visit Schedule
3–5 days after birth (first visit — weight check critical)
2 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should I choose a pediatrician before my baby is born?
We recommend choosing your pediatrician during your third trimester — ideally by week 32 to 34. This gives you time to come in for a prenatal visit, ask questions, and make sure our practice is the right fit for your family before the baby arrives.
Do you offer prenatal consultation visits?
Yes. We welcome expectant parents to come in before delivery to tour the office, meet Dr. Day, ask questions about newborn care, and decide if we are the right fit. These are relaxed, no-pressure conversations.
My baby lost weight after birth. Is that normal?
Yes. It is completely normal for newborns to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days. This is why the 3 to 5 day visit is so critical — we confirm your baby is feeding well and beginning to regain weight. Most babies return to their birth weight by 10 to 14 days.
What if I have concerns between newborn appointments?
Call us. We mean that. New parent questions are never too small or too silly. Our team is available during office hours to address concerns by phone, and we will always tell you directly whether something needs to be seen in person.
I want to breastfeed but I'm struggling. Can you help?
Absolutely. Feeding difficulties are one of the most common concerns in the newborn period. Dr. Day provides initial feeding support and can refer you to a lactation consultant if additional help is needed. Do not struggle in silence — call us.
What vaccines does my newborn receive at their first visits?
The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given at the hospital at birth. At subsequent newborn and infant visits, vaccines are given according to the CDC schedule. We review and explain each vaccine before it is administered.
Expecting a baby?
Call (210) 816-1330 to schedule your prenatal consultation with Dr. Day.