A pediatrician is a doctor specializing in the care of infants, children, and adolescents, and their involvement begins immediately after birth. While the hospital staff will provide initial care, having a designated pediatrician or primary care provider is a nearly universal requirement for discharge paperwork. This designation ensures a seamless transition of medical oversight, guaranteeing the infant’s healthcare needs are met once they are outside the hospital’s direct care.
Hospital Requirements for Discharge
Hospitals have specific administrative and medical criteria that must be satisfied before a mother and newborn can be safely discharged. A core requirement is the documentation of a continuity of care plan, which means providing the name and contact information of the chosen pediatrician. This step is necessary because the hospital must know who will receive the newborn’s medical records and assume responsibility for follow-up care. The medical team needs assurance that the infant will transition directly into a system of outpatient monitoring.
If a parent has not yet selected a pediatrician, the hospital will use an in-house or on-call physician to perform the necessary examinations during the stay. Even in this scenario, the hospital will require a concrete plan, including a scheduled first outpatient appointment, before finalizing the discharge. The hospital’s discharge documentation typically includes a summary of the baby’s health status, which is then transmitted to the designated pediatric practice.
The Initial Newborn Exam
The medical purpose of the pediatrician’s involvement while the baby is still hospitalized is to confirm the infant is physically stable enough for home care. This oversight begins with the Apgar score, which is a rapid assessment of heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and color performed at one and five minutes after birth. A comprehensive physical examination is then conducted to check all major systems, including assessing the heart and lungs for murmurs or unusual sounds, checking the hips for developmental dysplasia, and examining the neurological reflexes.
This period also includes state-mandated newborn screenings, which are usually completed before discharge. These tests include the pulse oximetry screen to check for critical congenital heart defects, the hearing screen, and the blood spot screening, often called the heel prick test, which checks for dozens of metabolic and genetic conditions. These assessments are performed to identify any immediate or latent concerns that could necessitate further observation or treatment. Monitoring the baby’s ability to maintain a stable temperature and successfully feed is also a required part of the medical clearance process.
Selecting and Coordinating Pediatric Care
The process of securing a pediatrician should ideally begin well before the baby arrives, typically during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This allows time for parents to vet candidates by:
- Confirming insurance coverage.
- Investigating hospital affiliations.
- Scheduling prenatal consultations.
- Discussing care philosophies, such as views on vaccination and feeding.
Having a provider selected in advance alleviates stress and ensures the administrative requirements for hospital discharge can be met promptly.
Once the baby is born and a discharge date is set, coordinating the first post-hospital visit is the immediate step for parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a newborn’s first outpatient check-up should occur within 48 to 72 hours of discharge. This immediate follow-up is necessary to monitor for significant weight loss, as newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first days, and to screen for jaundice, which is a temporary yellowing of the skin caused by a buildup of bilirubin.