In the first few days home after baby is born, round the clock feedings, diaper changes and the physical recovery from birth may take up a lot of your brain space. So that you have a few less things on your mind, we’ve put together a handy guide to everything you’ll need for baby’s first visit to KP.
Before the Visit…
- If your baby was born at Kennestone, you’ll be seen by one of our KP Pediatricians in the hospital right from the start. Make sure to note KP as your pediatrician when you register at the hospital and they will contact us when your baby is born – so you don’t have to do a thing! If your baby was born at a different hospital, the on-staff neonatologist will see your baby at first.
- The doctor who sees you will let you know when you’ll be going home and when you’ll need to have your first office visit. This visit is typically 1 to 2 days after discharge. If your baby is born at home, you’ll be seen in our office the next day. Once you know when you need to come in, call KP at 770-429-1005 to schedule. We keep newborn visits open 7 days a week so you’ll always have a space available when you call.
- There’s nothing you need to do to register with KP before baby is born. After baby is here, all the new baby forms are available online so you can do them in the comfort of your own home, rather than having to rush through them at the office visit. These can be completed online in our easy and secure e-form system. However if you’d prefer, you can print them, complete them by hand, and bring them to the first visit.
- We’re taking many special measures to keep you baby safe and healthy when in the office. To learn more about our separate sick and well rooms and hallways, COVID screening, sanitation and more, see here.
What to Bring to the First Office Visit…
- Your Insurance Card – Even if your baby isn’t added to your plan yet, you’ll need your card so that your insurance can be billed for the visit later. You’ll have 30 days to add your baby, but we recommend calling your insurance company as soon as possible so you don’t forget. After 60 days, your insurance policy may refuse to cover newborn services.
- Picture ID – Each parent at the visit will be asked for picture ID. This is for your baby’s safety and security. A copy of your ID will be a part of baby’s chart and at each visit we’ll make sure that any adult bringing baby in is authorized by you to do so.
- Discharge Paperwork – This is usually given to you in an envelope when you are discharged. It has important information such as test results, daily weights, newborn screening ID, etc. One of our favorite KP Pediatricians, Dr. Pitts, recommends that new parents just put the envelope on the dashboard of the car when leaving the hospital and leave it there. That way it’s still in the car when you come to KP!
- Completed New Patient Forms (online or on paper) – If you find you cannot complete them at home and will complete them at the office visit, just arrive early and allow yourself plenty of time at the office. You only need to bring in physical forms if you printed them to complete them.
Other Tips…
- Your baby will be undressed down to a diaper for much of the visit, so we’d suggest dressing him or her in easy to remove baby clothes. We’d also recommend bringing a light baby blanket to wrap him or her in while undressed.
- Both babies and new parents have unpredictable appetites. Feel free to bring snacks for yourself, a bottle for baby if bottle feeding, or wear easy-to-nurse-in clothes for mom if breastfeeding. Moms are welcome to breastfeed anywhere in KP in any way they feel comfortable.
- Bring a little extra patience and be prepared for a slightly longer visit. This first visit is very thorough. We really take our time with your family and make sure that every detail is covered. Future check-ups will also be very thorough but tend to be shorter.
After the visit…
- Make sure you have signed up for the Patient Portal. This is the easiest and most secure way to have 24/7 access to your baby’s medical record, send message to the doctors, make appointments, etc. During business hours, you can also call us at 770-429-1005 if you have questions at any time. Our amazing and experienced triage nurses have handled it all before. Please don’t hesitate ask us anything. For medical concerns that can’t wait until business hours, we have a provider on call 24-7-365 at the same phone number.
- Consider joining us for a class or support group. We have Baby Basicsfor parents of babies up to 8 weeks of age and the Breastfeeding Moms Group for nursing moms. (And you are a nursing mom whether you are pumping, breast and formula feeding, or exclusively breastfeeding.)
- Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, our lactation consultants are here to help you. Highly trained and experienced, they provide support for all moms and all feeding methods. If you are facing a feeding challenge, call or schedule a consultation for help.