Newborn Care
Welcoming the newest family member is a very exciting time but can also be stressful. Your precious bundle of love will go through many changes in the first several months of life. The newborn will have many needs from feeding to diapers to sleeping routine, but use limited ways to communicate their needs, which can sometimes be scary. Health issues for babies, both term born and preterm babies, can be very different from older children. Online information can be confusing and overwhelming, and individual experiences can be quite varied because no two people and their situation are necessarily alike. Dr. Vani provides warm, evidence-based newborn care from the very first days of life, partnering with parents to ensure your baby thrives.
First Visit Timing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a newborn follow-up visit within 48–72 hours of hospital discharge. Please call us before you leave the hospital to schedule this visit. Make sure to inform the medical center that Care & Cure Pediatrics is where you will be bringing your child for follow up care and have them fax the records to 972-793-0924. Please bring the discharge notes for your appointment.
Well Visit Schedule
Newborn well-baby visits typically follow this schedule: 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months.
Care for preterm babies: Premature and late-preterm infants have unique needs — slower weight gain patterns, corrected-age developmental milestones, and a higher likelihood of feeding and breathing challenges in the early months. Dr. Vani has extensive experience caring for preemies, including NICU follow-up, corrected-age growth tracking, and close coordination with specialists when needed.
What We Cover at Newborn Visits
Hospital Review
Review of birth history, hospital stay, newborn screenings, and any concerns from delivery.
Vaccines & Screenings
Hepatitis B vaccine review, hearing screen follow-up, jaundice assessment if needed.
Feeding Assessment
Breastfeeding or formula feeding evaluation and weight gain monitoring.
Growth & Development
Weight, length, head circumference. Developmental milestones and behavioral cues.
A Word on Choosing Coverage
The first few years are wonderfully unpredictable. Beyond the many routine well visits in your baby’s first year, infants and toddlers can surprise us — an ear infection, an RSV season, a developmental question, or a need no one could have foreseen. Because it is impossible to map out a young child’s health journey this early, many families find real peace of mind in a plan with stronger benefits and a lower deductible, which often means fewer surprises and lower out-of-pocket costs when care is needed most.
Welcoming a baby is usually a qualifying life event, so you may have a window to review or adjust your coverage right now — it is worth comparing your options with your employer’s HR team or your insurance provider while you can.
Tongue Tie Release
Tongue-tie (aka ankyloglossia) is fairly common affecting up to 10% of the US population. Tongue tie in the developing child can affect the child’s ability to latch on to the breast for feeding resulting in poor feeding and slow weight gain. Also breastfeeding mothers can suffer severe nipple pain. Tongue tie can also affect speech development and oral health.
Tongue tie release is a safe and effective outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia. Dr. Vani has performed countless tongue tie release procedure for babies, and benefits are immediately seen.
Because of time needed for the overall procedure and explanation of aftercare advice, tongue tie release visits require a separate scheduled appointment. This is not considered during a sick or well visit. Tongue tie release is generally covered by medical insurance, though patient responsibility varies by plans.
Umbilical Granuloma & Silver Nitrate Cauterization
After your baby’s umbilical cord stump separates (usually within the first few weeks of life), a small, moist, pink-red bump sometimes remains at the belly button. This is called an umbilical granuloma — it is common, harmless, and easily treated right here in the office.
What It Is
An umbilical granuloma is a bit of leftover tissue that stays moist and may ooze a small amount of clear or pale-yellow fluid. It usually will not heal on its own.
The Treatment
Dr. Vani applies a small amount of silver nitrate to the granuloma, which gently dries the tissue so the belly button can heal. The procedure is quick, does not require anesthesia, and is well-tolerated. One application is often enough; occasionally it takes a repeat visit or two.
What to Expect After
It is normal for the area to look gray or dark brown for a few days — silver nitrate temporarily stains the skin and the color fades on its own. Keep the area clean and dry, and we take care to protect the surrounding skin during treatment.
Like tongue-tie release, granuloma treatment is a brief, scheduled in-office procedure done as its own visit rather than during a well check — so it can be given proper time and care.
When to call us
A little clear or pale discharge can be normal. Call us if you notice spreading redness around the belly button, swelling, foul-smelling or pus-like discharge, bleeding that does not stop, or a fever — these can be signs of infection rather than a simple granuloma.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule the first newborn visit?
The AAP recommends a visit within 48–72 hours of hospital discharge. Please call us before you leave the hospital so we can get you on the schedule right away. Don’t wait until you’re home — early visits catch issues like jaundice and weight loss early.
What do I need to bring to the newborn visit?
Bring your baby’s hospital discharge papers, any records from the nursery stay, your insurance card, and a list of any questions you’ve been writing down. Arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork.
Does my baby need to be a certain age for tongue-tie release?
Under 10 days of life is the best time. Earlier the intervention the safer and faster the improvement in feeding. Dr. Vani will assess whether release is clinically indicated.
Is tongue-tie release covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover tongue-tie release, benefits and coverage may vary based on the plan.
How often do newborns need to be seen?
In the first year, well visits follow the AAP schedule: 3–5 days (hospital discharge follow-up), 2 weeks, 1 month, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. Sick visits are scheduled as needed in between.
My baby has a bump on the belly button — what is it?
It is often an umbilical granuloma — a small, moist pink-red bump that can remain after the cord stump falls off. It is common and usually needs a quick in-office treatment (silver nitrate cauterization) to heal fully. Bring your baby in so Dr. Vani can confirm it and treat it. Call sooner if you notice spreading redness, swelling, foul-smelling discharge, bleeding that does not stop, or a fever.
Ready to Schedule?
Book online through our secure Phreesia system or call us directly. We are accepting new patients.
Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified physician. For emergencies, call 911 immediately.