Baby’s First Visit to MVP: What to Expect
Congratulations! We are so excited to meet your family and begin caring for your new baby.
Your baby’s first visit is typically scheduled 2–3 days after you arrive home from the hospital. Please give us a call before you are discharged, and our front desk team will help you set up your appointment.
Screenings:
- You will be asked to complete a postpartum mood questionnaire before the visit
What to Bring
If possible, please bring the following items to your visit:
- Your baby
- Yourself
- Hospital discharge papers
- Yellow card
- Pink newborn screen slip
Don’t worry if you forget any of the paperwork—we’ll still be able to take great care of you.
What Happens at the Visit:
When you arrive, one of our Medical Assistants will bring you into an exam room and start with a brief history, including details about the birth and how feeding is going so far.
You’ll then undress your baby so we can:
- Check weight
- Measure length and head circumference
It’s very common for newborns to lose some weight in the first few days of life. If the number is lower than at discharge, that is usually completely normal.
Meeting with your Provider:
After the initial measurements, your provider will join you in the room. During this time, we will
- Review pregnancy and birth history
- Discuss your baby’s feeding and behavior
- Go over any family history
- Perform a full newborn exam
- Answer all of your questions (please bring them – we expect them!)
We’ll also talk through:
- Feeding plans
- What’s normal (and what’s not) in the early days
- When to schedule your next visit
Vaccines:
- Seasonally – If you did not get the RSV vaccine when pregnant, we will give your child the RSV antibody vaccine.
- If your child did not receive the Hepatitis B vaccine at the hospital, we recommend they receive it at this visit
Helpful Resources
You may find it helpful to review:
- Our blog post on common newborn behaviors
- A short video from Drs. Grant and Hoffman discussing what to expect in the newborn period
- One more post from our providers addressing frequently asked questions
We’re Here for You
Those first days at home can feel equal parts magical and overwhelming—like learning a new language where the only vocabulary is crying, sleeping, and feeding. You’re not expected to have it all figured out.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns before your first visit.
We can’t wait to meet you and your baby.