For Expectant Parents
As your baby’s designated pediatrician, Waterbury Hospital or St. Mary’s Nursery staff will notify our office when your baby arrives in the Well Baby Nursery. We examine our newborns usually within twelve hours of birth and on each morning of your hospital stay. We visit with mothers afterwards to discuss any medical issues, to review what to expect during the first week and to answer questions. We want you to feel comfortable feeding your baby by the time of discharge and we will assist you in any way we can. Since hospital stays are so brief with little time for new parents to absorb so much information, we encourage you to keep your first weeks at home as simple as possible.
For babies born at other hospitals, please call our office from the hospital or once you arrive at home to arrange your first office visit, usually within two days after discharge.
Regardless of where you deliver, remember to call your insurance company soon after delivery to add the baby to your policy. Generally, only a parent can make this notification. Some insurance companies allow a 30 day grace period and coverage for your baby and others do not. Please check with your plan prior to delivery so you understand what is required. You should bring or fax your insurance card to our office at the earliest opportunity.
Your First Visit
In general, we would like to see your newborn for a first office visit 2 days after discharge and always by one week of age. For new families, we would like to dedicate your first visit to you and your baby’s needs. We encourage you to download and complete the necessary registration forms ahead of time and bring them with you along with your insurance card.
- Newborn Evaluation – This summary of your baby’s hospital stay is for infants delivered outside of Waterbury or St. Mary’s Hospital. The hospital of birth should supply you with this information at discharge. (You may give our form to the hospital pediatrician to complete, or you may bring us the hospital’s equivalent form or discharge summary.)
- Patient Information Form
- Patient Intake Form
- Acknowledgment of Receipt of Privacy Practices