EPPC Newborn Care: Getting Ready for Baby’s Arrival

Bringing a new baby home is one of the biggest moments of your life. It can feel exciting and joyful, but also a bit overwhelming. As your pediatricians in southeast Portland, our team at East Portland Pediatric Clinic (EPPC) is here to walk with you through every step of this journey.

This guide is designed to be a deep dive into what you can expect from us and your new baby. Whether you are still picking out a nursery color or you are already home with your little one, we are here to support your growing family.

Before the Big Day: Getting Ready for Baby

We believe the best newborn care in Portland starts before your baby is even born. Building a relationship with your pediatric team early can take a lot of stress off your plate during the final weeks of pregnancy.

The Free Prenatal Meet-and-Greet

We invite all expecting parents to schedule a free prenatal visit. This is not a medical exam, but a chance for you to see our office and meet our providers. You can ask about our views on nutrition, vaccines, or how we handle after-hours calls. It is important that you feel confident and comfortable with the people who will be caring for your child.

Hospital Care and Your First 24 Hours

You do not need to “pre-register” with us, but you should tell your delivery team that EPPC is your pediatric home. We provide newborn care within the first 24 hours at Adventist Health Portland and Providence Medical Center. If you deliver at one of these hospitals, one of our pediatric providers will come to meet your baby, perform their very first check-up, and answer your immediate questions while you are still in the recovery room.

The First Office Visit: Your New Patient Welcome

Your baby’s first visit to our clinic usually happens two to three days after you leave the hospital. Please call us as soon as you know your discharge date so we can get you on the schedule right away.

We take our time with this visit. We will perform a full physical exam to check your baby’s heart, lungs, and reflexes. We also do a weight check and a jaundice screening to make sure they are breaking down bilirubin the way they should. Beyond the medical checks, we talk about the “day-to-day” stuff: how many wet diapers they are having, how often they are eating, and where they are sleeping. We also check in with how you are doing; we want to make sure you have support and are getting some sleep, even if it’s never enough!

Office Visits in the First Month

We will be seeing a lot of you! After the first visit we will see your baby at 2 weeks and 1 month of age. Newborns go through a lot of changes in the first month, and we will be right there for you to monitor their growth, development, feeding, sleeping, and more. In addition we will do your baby’s second metabolic screening and answer any questions you have. We also check in on your emotional health with a postpartum depression screening, because a healthy baby needs a healthy parent.

Key Milestones: What to Look for in the First Month

The first few weeks are a time of rapid change. While every baby develops at their own pace, here are the general milestones we look for:

• Weight Gain: Most newborns lose a small amount of weight in the first few days after birth. Our goal is to see them back at their birth weight by the time they are two weeks old.
• Sleep Patterns: Newborns sleep a lot, often between 14 and 17 hours a day. However, this sleep happens in short stretches because their tiny tummies need to be refilled often.
• Vision and Focus: Between two and four weeks, your baby will start to focus on faces and objects held close to them. You might see a “social smile,” their first real grin, usually by six to eight weeks.
• Physical Strength: During the first month, babies start to strengthen their neck muscles. You might see them try to lift their head briefly during tummy time.

Umbilical Cord Care

Your baby’s umbilical cord stump is one of those things that looks a little strange but is completely normal. Here’s what to know as you care for your newborn at home.

Keep it clean and dry. You don’t need to use alcohol or special cleaners. Just fold the diaper down below the stump so air can reach it, and let it heal on its own. If the area gets a little dirty during a diaper change, gently wipe it with a damp cloth and pat it dry.

What to expect. The stump will change color as it dries out, going from yellowish-green to brown or black. This is normal. Most cords fall off on their own within one to three weeks.

When to call your newborn doctor in Portland. Reach out to our team if you notice any of the following:

• Redness or swelling around the base of the stump
• Pus or a foul smell
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
• Your baby seems to be in pain when the area is touched

As your trusted newborn doctors in Portland, we’re always happy to take a look if something doesn’t seem right. A quick check can give you peace of mind.

Safe Sleep Basics

Creating a safe sleep space is one of the most important things you can do to protect your baby. The good news? It’s simple once you know the basics.

Remember the ABCs of safe sleep:

• Alone. Your baby should sleep by themselves, without blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumpers in the crib.
• Back. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, for naps and at night.
• Crib. Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet. The sleep surface should be clear of any soft items.

A few more tips:

• Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room as you for the first six months to a year. Room-sharing (not bed-sharing) helps reduce risk and makes nighttime feedings easier.
• Dress your baby in a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead of loose bedding.
• Avoid letting your baby sleep in swings, car seats, or other devices for extended periods.

We know there’s a lot of advice out there, and it can feel overwhelming. If you have questions about setting up a safe sleep space, bring them to your next visit. Our team provides newborn care in Portland that goes beyond check-ups. We’re here to help you feel confident in every part of caring for your baby.

Specialized Support at EPPC

We know that parenthood is a 24/7 job. We have designed our clinic to offer more than just basic check-ups.

Feeding Support

Feeding your baby can be one of the most stressful parts of the early weeks. Whether you are breastfeeding, using formula, or doing a mix of both, we are here to help.

Access When You Need It

Kids don’t only get sick during office hours. When they do, you want answers fast. We offer same-day sick visits so you aren’t left waiting when something feels off. For non-urgent questions, you can use the EPPC patient portal to message your team or check lab results.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

We always want you to call if you are worried. As pediatricians, we are here to provide peace of mind. However, there are some “red flags” that require an immediate call to our office:

• Fever: Any rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months old.
• Dehydration: If your baby has fewer than six wet diapers per day after their fourth day of life.
• Feeding Struggles: If your baby won’t wake up to feed, is feeding much less than usual, or is coughing and gagging during feeds.
• Color Changes: A yellowish tint to the skin or eyes (jaundice), or skin that looks blue or very pale.
• Breathing and Digestion: Any trouble breathing, or if your baby’s tummy feels very hard and they haven’t pooped in 24 hours.

 Ready to find your baby’s pediatric home?

Whether you’re still expecting or your baby just arrived, we’d love to meet you. Schedule a free prenatal meet-and-greet with one of our providers at 503-255-3544. It’s a no-pressure way to tour the clinic, ask your questions, and feel confident about your newborn’s care in Portland. 

Additional Helpful Resources for New Parents

Looking for more information? These trusted sources offer reliable guidance on newborn care:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at healthychildren.org offers parent-friendly articles on everything from feeding to sleep to developmental milestones.
• Safe to Sleep Campaign at safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov provides guidance on reducing the risk of SIDS and creating a safe sleep environment.
• La Leche League International at llli.org offers breastfeeding support and resources for nursing parents.

Have questions about what you’ve read? We’re always here to help. Call us at 503-255-3544 or reach out through the EPPC patient portal.