SWP Baby

Congratulations!

Bringing home a new baby can bring unimaginable joy, but it can also bring a lot of worry, exhaustion, and questions. We are so happy to be your partner in this parenting adventure. Our motto has always been, “with you every step of the way,” and that is never more true than with our families with new babies. While you might feel overwhelmed, our commitment to you is to provide what you need, when you need it.

Start Your Journey With Us

It all starts with our Meet the Pedi, a monthly virtual Meet & Greet, where you’ll get to know all our doctors before your delivery. From there, we offer virtual and in-person classes to help you prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Newborn 101 is a virtual class covering everything you need to know for your hospital or birthing center stay and your first days at home. Breastfeeding 101, an in-person class for both expecting and new parents, provides hands-on support from our lactation specialists and a supportive group environment. Infant Massage 101 is another fantastic option, whether you’re preparing prenatally or bonding after your baby is born.

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

Once your baby arrives, we’ll see you often for scheduled well checks, lactation visits, and follow-ups tailored to your family’s needs. Pediatrics is so much more than growth charts and vaccines—it’s about fostering your child’s overall health and development while equipping you with tools and resources to navigate sleep, nutrition, developmental milestones, and parenting challenges.

It’s a partnership built on trust, longevity, and a shared mission to help your child reach their full potential. That’s what makes pediatrics so rewarding—it’s the heart of everything we do.

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Parent Resources

Lactation Support for a Successful Breastfeeding Journey

We’re committed to helping you achieve your breastfeeding goals for a happy, fulfilling experience. All of our providers are experienced in troubleshooting common challenges, and when extra support is needed, we offer hands-on help through in-person lactation consultations. Our bi-monthly lactation meetups provide valuable prenatal education, postnatal support, and a welcoming community to guide you along the way.

Schedule A Consultation

If you’re navigating breastfeeding, Janelle Conway, the practice’s CPNP and lactation consultant, is a must-visit. Her expertise, patience, and understanding make her an absolute gem. Breastfeeding is no small feat—it’s complicated, and Janelle knows exactly how to make it comfortable, feasible, and tailored to your family’s needs.

Michael T.

Patient parent

From Bumps to Babies: We’re Here for You

Whether you’re meeting our team, exploring events, preparing for parenthood, or planning your baby’s first visit, we’re here to guide you every step of the way!

Meet Our Team

Get to know the heart of Southwest Pediatrics—our dedicated team of board-certified pediatricians and nurse practitioners.

Get To Know Us >

Events

Find out about our Meet the Pedi, Newborn, Infant Massage, and Breastfeeding 101 classes.

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New Parent Info

All the information new parents need to know about bringing a new baby home and what to expect in the first year.

Find Resources >

Baby’s First Visit

Baby’s first visit takes place within their first week of age but will vary depending on the needs of your baby.

Start Preparing Today >

Meet Our Team

Get to know the heart of Southwest Pediatrics—our dedicated team of board-certified pediatricians and nurse practitioners.

Get To Know Us >

Events

Find out about our Meet the Pedi, Newborn, Infant Massage, and Breastfeeding 101 classes.

New Parent Info

All the information new parents need to know about bringing a new baby home and what to expect in the first year.

Find Resources >

Baby’s First Visit

Baby’s first visit takes place within their first week of age but will vary depending on the needs of your baby.

Start Preparing Today >

Baby’s First Visit

Helpful Tips to Prepare for Your Baby’s First Doctor Appointment

Bringing your baby home is an exciting milestone, and those first few nights on your own can feel like a whirlwind. Your baby’s first doctor appointment typically takes place within the first week of life, depending on their needs. While some newborns may need a visit the very next day, others can wait a bit longer—your hospital team will help you determine the right timing for your baby.

At our practice, we see newborns every day except Sunday, so we recommend calling as soon as you know when your appointment should be. If you need a same-day visit, be sure to call us by 10 a.m., and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!

Stress-free Tips for Baby’s First Visit

Arrive 15 minutes Early

Often there is paperwork or insurance details to work out. If the hospital gave you paperwork to share, a great trick is to place it in your diaper bag so it’s ready to go. We aim to simplify the process with phone and electronic options and work hard to get you into an exam room quickly to protect our little VIPs from potential infections.

Show Time!

Next, a medical assistant will call you and baby into an exam room. Here is where your baby’s height, weight, head circumference, and and other vital signs are measured. You’ll be asked a lot of questions about feeding, wet & poopy diapers, sleep, and safety. They’ll also give you your SW Pedi onesie – time to show off!

Introductions

Your first visit is usually with your chosen primary care doctor unless they’re unavailable. They’ll review your family history, address concerns, and answer questions. Keeping a list during those early days with your new baby can be helpful. The visit includes a physical exam, key findings, any needed tests or referrals, and guidance on whether a Lactation Consultant visit may help.

Next Steps

If all is well, the next visit is at 2 weeks. We’ll perform the Newborn Metabolic Screen, a quick heel prick test, done twice in Texas—once in the hospital and again at 2 weeks—to detect metabolic diseases early. Results take 3-4 weeks. Before leaving, schedule your 2-week, 1-month, and 2-month visits to secure the best times.

Looking to the Future

At 1 month, most babies don’t need tests or vaccines, and the standard vaccine schedule begins at the 2-month visit. You’ll have several chances to discuss vaccines during routine visits leading up to that time. Check out our New Parent Information for our vaccine schedule and other helpful resources.

And Finally, Don’t Forget!

Your first visit is a special milestone, and we’re honored to share it with you. If you feel comfortable, snap a photo of your little one’s big first visit and tag us on Instagram or Facebook. Don’t forget to follow us for helpful tips, clinic updates, and more moments like these.

A Peek Inside Our Office

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New Babies Can Lead to Lots of Questions

With over 20 years of caring for new babies, trust us, we’ve heard every question in the book. Below are some of the most common questions we get frequently asked.

We do not accept patients whose parents have chosen not to vaccinate or want a “go slow” schedule. We believe that vaccination is one of the best choices you can make for your child, and the science is quite clear that they are safe, effective, and do not cause autism or other developmental disorders. Our practice follows guidelines from the CDC, ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) which are all in alignment.
We do not require vaccination against flu, COVID, or HPV, though we do believe they are important, safe, and effective. Exceptions are made for children who can not be vaccinated for medical reasons. We do not accept claims for exceptions on religious grounds.

It might be helpful to know that we also require our employees to be vaccinated from diseases that might be communicable to our patients (such as flu and measles).

This is a bit of a loaded question that gets listed on “Ask your prospective pediatrician” lists. The short answer is no, but for several very good reasons. The main reason is that it doesn’t work to reduce the spread of germs, unfortunately! For example, sick kids who are home from school with a cold will accompany their baby brother to his well baby check all the time. Parents who think their child just has allergies might sit in the “well” room all the time.

The bigger question is how to truly reduce the spread of illness in our office. We do this intentionally in many ways, but we’ll list a few here. We have removed all toys from our waiting room and encourage you to bring your own entertainment. We have a hands-free projection game that keeps kids entertained without touching toys or books. We move patients out of the waiting room as quickly as possible and emphasize newborns getting roomed quickly. Masking is encouraged for any child with a respiratory illness that can tolerate a mask. We have a “sick bay” that avoids the waiting room altogether for children suspected of having highly contagious illnesses such as COVID or chicken pox.

You can do your part as well. Let us know if your child is particularly ill or potentially contagious. You are more than welcome to wait in your car and we’ll call you when your room is ready, or we can use our “sick bay” for your child. Mask yourself and/or your child when there is fever or suspicious respiratory symptoms. Wash your child’s hands or use sanitizer when you enter the exam room.

We absolutely love helping breastfeeding moms and their babies. We tailor our efforts to help you meet your breastfeeding goals, which are highly personal! The breastfeeding process is not always super intuitive or easy, and sometimes it’s downright hard. Early intervention and helping you get it right from the beginning is key. We have several Board Certified lactation providers in our office, and all of our providers are committed to troubleshooting and guiding you along the way.

Our Breastfeeding 101 class is offered every other month and can be attended whether you have a baby on the way or you have a baby in your arms already. It’s a great way to learn the lingo, get ahead of problems, and learn from and support each other on this journey. Additionally, after your first visit with your doctor, you are welcome to schedule a Lactation visit with our Certified Lactation Educator, Janelle. Since Janelle is a medical provider, these hour-long visits are available to you just like any other medical visit; for most of our patients it’s just a copay. Janelle and your doctor will work together to support you in whatever ways you need.

We all agree that “Fed is best.” We all know that the benefits of breastmilk are huge, but also believe that having mamas and babies that thrive is a much better goal than breastfeeding at all costs. Please feel free to be honest about your thoughts about feeding your baby and we’ll help you get there without guilt or shame.

Babies are born with some temporary protection from mom’s immune system, but it’s short-lived and incomplete. Newborns especially require more protection because their immune systems are underdeveloped; they are definitely vulnerable! Luckily, there are some very effective ways to protect your newborn, starting with things you can do during your pregnancy

Can’t find what you need? Give us a call, we’re happy to help!