Follow up with a pediatrician within 48-72 hours.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies are seen by a pediatrician within 48-72 hours of being discharged from the hospital. This means that you will most likely need to see a pediatrician in the state where your baby was born before returning home.
While it can be challenging and inconvenient to arrange this visit, it is very important. Many changes happen during the first week of life, and this checkup will help to make sure the transition is going smoothly. The doctor will examine the baby and check for problems such as poor weight gain and jaundice, an increase in bilirubin that can make the baby appear yellow. Learn more about jaundice.
How do we find a pediatrician near where our child was born?
Call your insurance company to arrange this visit and explain your adoptive situation. They may be able to offer a referral to a pediatrician in the area that is in the insurance network. If there are not providers in network, ask what you should do for follow-up. You can also ask the staff at the hospital where your baby was born. If you can not find someone to take your child to for this checkup, a hospital emergency room is an alternative. Emergency Rooms aren’t required to do check ups, most will be willing to help if you explain your situation. Try calling the hospital in advance to see if there is a pediatrician in the emergency department or if they have a recommendation. Or, check with your child’s caregiver to see if the hospital has Physician Referral to schedule check up with a local pediatrician.
