Newborn Pediatric Care in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Pediatric newborn care is an essential part of your child's wellbeing. In fact, caring for your baby begins even before birth. You'll be working with your own doctor to stay healthy, and you can contact us to learn when to notify pediatrician of new baby.

We help you to understand medical care and your newborn. The professionals at our practice will assist you in a variety of areas, including creating a newborn care well child visit schedule. Bringing your baby to the doctor is critical if your little one isn't feeling well, and so is staying on top of well visits.

An important part of medical care for infants involves staying on a proper immunization schedule, which is a part of well visits. The professionals at our practice will let you know what to expect. Further, they will address any concerns and questions you might have about the immunization schedule. Staying on a dedicated schedule is such an important part of infant and newborn care, further allowing you to develop healthy habits for the life of your precious baby.

A consistent schedule also helps you and your baby to become more familiar with the practice and the professionals there. We seek to make each process as comfortable and as painless as possible for you and your infant. Delicate and dedicated attention is a major focus of our practice when it comes to pediatric nursing newborn care.

Now is the time to start thinking about care for your newborn and making appointments. Calling to ask questions is the first step. We welcome the questions that you have when it comes to medical attention for your beloved baby. The goal at our practice is to make you and your baby feel comfortable, safe and healthy.

Newborn FAQs

  • How long should I breastfeed for?

    The recommended time for breastfeeding is 20 minutes per side.


  • Should I wake up my baby to feed them?

    Yes, ideally your baby should be fed every 3-4 hours for the first 6 months of life.


  • How can I tell if my baby is getting enough to eat?

    You can tell that your baby is getting enough to eat  by 5-6 wet diapers per day and at least 2-3 stools per day. Another good indicator is if they are gaining weight appropriately. Whether that is formula fed or breastfed. . 


  • How do I properly store breast milk?

    The CDC recommends the use of breast milk storage bags or clean, food grade containers. Don’t store in plastic bags or anything not designed to store breast milk, this also includes disposable bottle liners. Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours, In the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable. Although freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended storage times are important to follow for best quality.


  • When can I introduce solids into my baby's diet?

    Solids may be introduced at 4-6 months or when the baby is developmentally ready. 


  • When can my baby have water?

    Babies under the age of 6 months should not consume water soley. After the age of 6 months it is great to start slowly introducing water into your baby's diet in small increments gradually increasing the amount given over time.


  • How do I take care of my infant's umbilical cord?

    Clean the umbilical area with a gaze and water only, then sponge bathe the rest of your infant. Do not fully submerge your infant's body in water until the umbilical cord has completely fallen off. An infant's umbilical cord should dry and fall off naturally within 5-15 days. Signs of an infection include foul smells, yellow drainage, redness, tenderness, or swelling coming from the umbilical stump. 


  • How do I prevent SIDS?

    Always place your baby on their back to sleep, pacifiers and breastfeeding also decrease their risk. To help with circulation, keep a fan on at night.  


  • Can I smoke around my baby?

    No one should ever be smoking around your infant as this increases the risk of SIDS and asthma. If you must smoke, smoke outside and then change clothes before holding the baby. 


  • Is it normal for my baby's skin to peel?

    Yes, peeling of the skin is normal in a newborn. You can use a light layer of Aquaphor or Aveeno on their skin but this is not necessary. 


  • When can I take my newborn out in public spaces?

    We advise that you wait until your baby is 6-8 weeks old before bringing them into enclosed public spaces.  


  • What is an indicator that my baby has an illness or needs a visit?

    Any fever greater than 100.4 in a newborn is an emergency and the baby needs to be evaluated asap. Another indicator that an illness is present is if the baby is constantly fussy or not wanting to eat.