Newborn Care & Infant Wellness Services
Newborn Care & Infant Wellness Services
Welcoming Your Little One With The Expert Attention They Deserve

Trusted Newborn Care and Infant Wellness Checkups in Smyrna, TN

Nurturing New Families Since 2000

Bringing home a newborn is one of life's most joyful moments, and one of its most overwhelming. Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to a growing family, the questions never seem to stop. Is my baby eating enough? Why won't they sleep? Is that normal? At Smyrna Pediatrics, we're here to answer every one of them.

Smyrna Pediatrics provides expert newborn care and infant wellness checkups for families in Smyrna, TN, and the surrounding Rutherford County area. From your baby's very first visit after leaving the hospital through their first birthday, our pediatric-trained team guides you through every checkup, question, and milestone.

For more than two decades, families in Smyrna have trusted our team for compassionate, expert newborn care. From your baby's very first checkup to their two-month visit and beyond, we partner with you every step of the way. Here, you're never just a patient — you're part of our family.

Request an Appointment (615) 625-7780

What Is Newborn Care?

Newborn care is the specialized pediatric care your baby receives during the first weeks and months of life — the period when growth and development move fastest and early guidance matters most. It combines regular well-baby checkups, developmental and feeding support, screenings, and immunizations, all designed to make sure your infant is healthy and thriving while giving new parents the confidence to care for them at home.

At Smyrna Pediatrics, newborn care typically includes:

  • Regular well-baby visits to track growth, weight gain, and developmental milestones
  • Physical exams covering everything from the fontanelles (soft spots) to reflexes, hips, heart, and umbilical cord healing
  • Feeding guidance for breastfeeding, formula, or combination feeding
  • Sleep and soothing support as your baby settles into a rhythm
  • Screenings, including jaundice and follow-up on newborn hearing and metabolic screening from the hospital
  • Immunizations on the recommended schedule, starting with Hepatitis B
  • Answers and reassurance for the constant questions of early parenthood

Newborn care is the foundation of your child's general pediatric care and flows naturally into ongoing well-child checkups as your baby grows.

How to Choose a Pediatrician: Key Factors for New Parents in Middle Tennessee

Choosing a pediatrician is one of the first big decisions you'll make as a parent, and ideally you'll choose before your baby arrives.

A few things worth considering:

  • Credentials and training — look for pediatric-trained providers who have completed a pediatric residency.
  • Location and hours — a convenient office makes the frequent early visits far easier.
  • Communication style — you want a team that listens and explains things in plain language.
  • Access between visits — ask how the practice handles questions, portal messages, and after-hours concerns.
  • A prenatal meet-and-greet — many practices, including ours, welcome expecting parents for a visit before delivery.

We're always happy to meet expecting families before the baby comes.

Newborn Well-Visit Care Built Around Your Baby

Every newborn appointment at Smyrna Pediatrics is designed around your baby's unique growth and development. Our providers measure height, weight, and head circumference, perform a thorough physical exam, and check in on feeding, sleeping, and bowel movements at each visit. We always make time for your questions.

Our approach goes beyond the medical basics. We believe that loving and nurturing your newborn matters just as much as tracking feed times and nap schedules. Rather than pushing a rigid routine, Dr. Ricafort encourages new parents to ease into newborn care by going with the flow — starting each day with a positive attitude and an open mind. Meet our team

What to Bring to Your Newborn's First Appointment

Being prepared helps everything go smoothly. Before you head in, bring:

  • Your baby's hospital discharge paperwork
  • Immunization records from the hospital (including the Hepatitis B vaccine, if given)
  • Your insurance card and photo ID
  • A list of any medications or supplements your baby is taking
  • Your pediatrician referral, if your insurance requires one
  • A written list of your questions and concerns — don't rely on remembering them in the moment

New parent tip: Pack extra diapers, a change of clothes, and a pacifier or comfort item. The more relaxed you both are, the smoother the visit.

What to Expect at a Baby's First Doctor Appointment: Your Step-by-Step Guide

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a well-visit schedule during the first year, and each visit has its own focus. Here's what to expect:

  • First visit (3-5 days old): Weight check (babies often lose a little weight after birth, then regain it), feeding assessment, jaundice check, and a full head-to-toe exam. This visit sets the tone for everything that follows.
  • 1 month: Growth tracking, feeding and sleep review, and time to address the questions that pile up in those first weeks.
  • 2 months: Development check plus the first round of routine immunizations.
  • 4 months: Milestone review (smiling, cooing, head control), growth, and the next set of vaccines.
  • 6 months: Introduction-to-solids guidance, milestone check, and immunizations.
  • 9 months: Developmental screening, mobility and social milestones, and safety guidance as your baby becomes more active.
  • 12 months: First-birthday checkup, growth review, and the next stage of vaccines as your baby transitions into toddlerhood.

If your baby was born prematurely or has a medical condition, more frequent visits may be needed. We'll build a schedule tailored to your child.

Why Middle Tennessee Families Trust Smyrna Pediatrics

Choosing Smyrna Pediatrics means anchoring your child's health to a legacy of clinical excellence right here in Rutherford County. Led by award-winning, board-certified pediatric leadership, our practice focuses on a comprehensive, whole-child approach to medicine. We ensure your family is never treated like a chart number or a rushed appointment block.

We integrate advanced preventative medicine, routine diagnostic screenings, and behavioral health tracking seamlessly under one roof. By combining old-school care values with modern administrative conveniences like streamlined digital scheduling and direct care coordination, we provide the ultimate foundation for your child's growth.

Answering Your FAQs About
Newborn Care in Smyrna, TN

How often should my newborn come in for a checkup?

The AAP recommends checkups at birth, 3--5 days after delivery, then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months.

If your baby was born prematurely or has a medical condition, more frequent visits may be necessary. At Smyrna Pediatrics, we'll work with you to build a newborn care schedule tailored to your child's needs.

What Can I Expect at My Baby's First Doctor's Appointment?

Your newborn's first visit sets the tone for a lifetime of great care. Here's what our team will cover:

  • A full head-to-toe physical exam
  • Measurements of your baby's height, weight, and head circumference
  • A review of feeding, sleeping, and bowel movement patterns
  • Jaundice screening and hearing test results from the hospital
  • A check on the umbilical cord and circumcision site, if applicable
  • Hepatitis B vaccine, if not already given at the hospital
  • Answers to all of your questions and concerns

Come prepared with any notes you've kept since coming home—our team loves hearing how those first few days have gone!

When should I call my pediatrician?

It's completely normal for newborns to cry, fuss, and have unpredictable days. However, some symptoms warrant a call to our office right away. Reach out if your baby experiences:

  • Fever over 100.4 Fahrenheit
  • Diarrhea or vomiting
  • Persistent cold or rash
  • Yellow color in their skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Loss of appetite or refusal to feed
  • Unusual crying or inconsolable fussiness

When in doubt, we're always just a phone call away.

What should I expect at a newborn visit?

Each well-baby visit is a chance to check your newborn's health and provide the guidance you need to feel confident. Our providers will review your baby's measurements and development, address feeding and sleep concerns, and discuss any upcoming immunizations. We encourage you to bring your questions—no concern is too small.

What makes Smyrna Pediatrics different from other practices?

Choosing a pediatrician for your newborn is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a parent. Families in Smyrna choose us for many reasons:

  • A warm, welcoming team that truly listens
  • Personalized care tailored to your baby's unique needs
  • More than two decades of trusted newborn and pediatric expertise
  • A whole-child approach that values your family's emotional well-being, not just medical milestones
  • A physician who encourages you to trust yourself as a parent

When you choose Smyrna Pediatrics, you're not just getting a doctor — you're gaining a partner in raising a healthy, happy child.

Newborn Care in Smyrna, TN | Pediatrician for Infants - newborn-img-1a

Contact the Best Pediatricians in Smyrna, TN, for New Parents

The early weeks of a baby's life go by fast, and we know how much every moment matters. At Smyrna Pediatrics, we're honored to be a trusted part of your newborn's health journey and pediatric care from day one. From first feedings to two-month developmental milestones, our team is here to provide the expert guidance and heartfelt care your growing family deserves.

Parenthood is full of surprises. Getting the support you need shouldn't be hard. Let us walk alongside you every step of the way.

Schedule Your Newborn's First Appointment at Smyrna Pediatrics Today!

Your child's long-term health journey begins with premium, dedicated newborn care. Contact our Smyrna office today at (615) 355-5333 to establish care, schedule your infant's first wellness exam, or set up a prenatal meet-and-greet with our board-certified pediatric team.

Set Up Your Newborn's First Appointment Today!
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About Us

Smyrna Pediatrics is your partner in raising a happy, healthy child with our comprehensive pediatric care services.

Contact Us
741 President Pl #210
Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 625-7780
Office Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 12:00PM, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
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