CONGRATULATIONS!
All of us at Southwestern Medical Clinic would like to welcome you to parenting. Having a child is one of the most amazing experiences of a lifetime. We hope to guide you on your journey. This page should help you learn about our practice.
Choose a Provider
Our Niles and Stevensville practices are lead by a team of pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, and pediatric physician assistants.
When You Deliver
A pediatric hospitalist will care for your newborn while you are in the hospital. The staff will likely ask who you would like to be your child’s pediatric provider. It is okay if you haven’t made your decision yet.
When you get discharged from the hospital, call our Niles or Stevensville office as soon as possible to set up your first appointment with your privider of choice. Your initial follow-up is usually scheduled within the first 2 days after discharge, to make sure the baby is growing well and you are adjusting at home.
Lactation Support
Breastfeeding is described as a “natural” process and sometimes will feel that way. Other women, may need extra help and support. In the hospital, both nurses and lactation consultants are available to assist you with breastfeeding. Southwestern Medical Clinic also has some resources available to you that we can recommend if needed.
Deciding About Circumcision
A little more than half of the boys we see are circumcised. Most families choose to circumcise for religious reasons, or more commonly, for personal reasons. Medical reasons for circumcision outweigh the risks of the procedure, but are not strong enough to demand that every boy be circumcised. The procedure is safe and is performed under sterile conditions to prevent infection.
Vaccines For Parents
Two vaccines are available for you to protect your child from certain diseases. You may also wnt to ask caretakers, or others who may be in close contact with your child, (including siblings and grandparents) to get these vaccines:
Tdap: The Tdap vaccine includes the vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis is the bacteria which causes whooping cough. This disease can be severe in infants, and lead to difficulty breathing. Adults can get a pertussis booster as little as two years after their last tetanus vaccine. Pediatricians are giving this booster to children ages 11 years and older. Obstetricians typically offer the vaccine during prenatal visits. Family practitioners should carry this vaccine in their office.
Flu: Influenza can cause severe disease and hospitalization in infants, however, they cannot receive their first flu vaccine until they are 6 months of age. You can protect your newborn during the flu season by getting your flu vaccine while pregnant, and making sure everyone in close contact with your baby is also vaccinated.
Recommended Reading
Your Child’s First Year, from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This reference book was created by experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics. It covers development, feeding, and common illnesses.
Happiest Baby on the Block, by Dr. Harvey Karp. This book serves as a good guide to your child’s behavior and offers soothing techniques for the first year of life.
Vaccines and your Child: Separating Fact from Fiction, by Dr. Paul Offit. Learn more about why pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics stand behind vaccinating our children.