FAQs

Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to attend a prenatal meet and greet tour. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and providers. During this time, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child. Please visit our Office News page for more information on how to RSVP for this event.

We do not come to the hospital to examine your baby. A hospital-based pediatrician will see you within 24-hours of delivery and perform a complete head-to-toe exam. These providers are always on site to offer wonderful care to you and your child, and allow us to stay in the office and focus on caring for children once they leave the hospital.

There is nothing you need to do to pre-register your child.  We ask that you call our office after your baby is born, but prior to leaving the hospital.  At that time, we will register the baby in our system and set up your first visit after discharge from the hospital.  Paperwork received at the meet and greet should be completed and brought with you to your first appointment, if possible.

Newborns are scheduled 1-3 days after discharge from the hospital. We make it a priority to have all newborns seen within 3 days of leaving the hospital, and adjust our schedule to accommodate newborn visits.  If you are discharged over the weekend, simply call us first thing on Monday morning to have your baby seen as soon as possible that day.

Your child should not only see the pediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. These routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child’s physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child’s development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits:

• 3 to 5 days
• 2 weeks
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months (1 year)
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months (2 year)
• 30 months
• 3 years – once every year thereafter for an annual comprehensive physical exam

As listed above, there are several planned well-visits during the first 18 months of life. Our office policy is to schedule these visits alternating between Dr. Middleton, Dr. Acosta, Dr. Von Edwins, and our nurse practitioners, Christine May, APRN, and Lauren Collins APRN, Briana McLain, APRN, and Lucy Aitcheson, APRN, and our physician assistant Joanie Gavin, PA-C in order to help you get to know each provider and allow us to serve your family best. Sick visits and last minute scheduling may result in seeing a different provider than you usually schedule with, and our alternating well-visits allow you to establish a relationship with the entire team from the beginning.

Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. If you’re apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

We feel very strongly that it is in your child’s best interest to follow the recommended schedule of vaccines as determined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Please see our vaccine policy.