Expecting? Tour the Newborn Center & Breastfeeding Center

Expecting a Baby

As an expectant parent you are eagerly preparing for the arrival of your new baby. It is likely one of the most exciting times of your life. There are many things to do and many decisions to make, including selecting a healthcare provider for your child.

Schedule an Office Tour / Meet & Greet

KP Newborn Center

Kennesaw Pediatrics Newborn Center is devoted exclusively to the care of our youngest patients; a special place where every detail is centered on your new baby and family. Our board certified pediatricians and staff specialize in newborn health and especially love taking care of the needs of your unique family.

At the Newborn Center, each visit is focused on you and your baby. Our staff take the time to ensure that you feel fully informed and ready for each stage of your baby’s first year while making sure that your baby receives the latest and best in medical care.

You’ll find well baby checks, sick care, lactation support, labs, and more in one comfortable, convenient location. From the design of the exam rooms to our 7-day-a-week hours, to our expert staff, we’ve thought of everything to make your visits as easy and worry free as possible.

KP Breastfeeding Center

Feeding your baby is one of the first things you do as a parent – and one of the ways you and your baby spend much of your time together. So it’s only natural that many parents have questions – How often should he eat? How much? Am I getting this position right? How can my partner and family participate?

Kennesaw Pediatrics Breastfeeding Center offers comprehensive lactation services; the support, education and clinical expertise parents need to feed their babies with confidence. Our Board Certified Lactation Consultants are trained and experienced with a variety of feeding methods and special situations, and approach every situation with respect for the needs and goals of each unique family.

What to Expect in the Hospital

When the Big Day arrives, your nurse will contact us as soon as your baby is born. You will not need to call our office. If you deliver at Kennestone Hospital one of our physicians will come to see your newborn daily. If you are delivering at a different hospital, the pediatrician at the hospital will see your baby daily.

Your KP pediatrician (or the hospital physician) will examine your child daily and discuss your baby’s progress with you. Should anything unexpected occur, the neonatology team at the hospital will care for your child and be in regular contact with your KP Pediatrician. The first newborn exam will be a thorough physical exam looking for any birth defects. Subsequent examinations will focus on feeding, evidence of infection or illness, and cardio-respiratory status. Additionally, there will be a hearing screening, the newborn metabolic screen (the heel prick test) and, if needed, jaundice testing. The hepatitis B vaccination will also be offered.

Infants are traditionally discharged at 48 hours of life. If your child is healthy, full term, and without risk factors for infection they may be discharged sooner. Your first office visit is usually at 3-5 days of life. On the day of discharge your KP Pediatrician will discuss with you the proper time to return to the Newborn Center for your baby’s first office visit. Please call our office for an appointment after you have been discharged.

While in the hospital you will want to call the baby’s insurance company to have him or her added to the policy. This is also the perfect time to register the new baby on the Kennesaw Pediatrics patient portal, preparing for the first appointment.

Finally, be sure you are prepared for your journey home with the appropriate car seat and installation instructions.

Classes for Parents-to-be and New Parents

As you begin your journey into parenthood, you probably have many questions – and we are here to help. Your new baby may not come with an instruction book, but we can help by providing the education and reassurance you need. We have infant care and breastfeeding classes, a breastfeeding moms group, and much, much more!

Check out our calendar for a complete listing of classes and groups!

Baby Basics

Baby Basics is for families who are expecting a baby or have a baby up to 8 weeks old. Team taught by an experienced pediatric nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Baby Basics integrates our Baby 101 and Breastfeeding 101 class, covering all aspects of caring for a new baby in a relaxed, comfortable environment. Through engaging videos and hands on activities you’ll learn what to expect the first week, feeding (all methods), stooling, burping, sleeping, crying, diapering, safety and, last but not least, taking care of yourself. Small class size allows plenty of time for individual questions. Great for all expectant families, we encourage you to bring any support person you’d like. Grandparents, dads, moms, etc. are all welcome. FREE and open to all families.

Breastfeeding Moms Group

There’s nothing like getting support and information from other moms. KP’s Breastfeeding Moms Group is a time to meet with other moms, ask questions, share joys and challenges, hear other’s solutions and experiences and offer your own to other moms. Facilitated by one of our Board Certified Lactation Consultants, this group is free and open to any mom, pregnant or breastfeeding. Breastfeeding babies are also welcome, of course!

Office Tour and Meet & Greet

We welcome you to take a tour of our office along with time for Q & A. Visit both the Newborn Center and Main Office; see the waiting areas, exam rooms and other facilities; meet one of our experienced pediatricians and ask all about our office and services. You’ll also receive written information and a gift bag! Selecting a pediatrician is important and we want you to have all the information you need. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all expectant parents visit the pediatrician before baby is born (See their article here). Office tours are held Tuesday through Thursday at 5:15 pm here in the office. Please note: Spaces are limited and subject to availability. Your spot is confirmed when you receive a confirmation phone call from the office

Additional Services for Infants

No-Stick Jaundice Testing

Jaundice is a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. It is common in babies as their new livers take over the task of breaking down old blood cells. It causes yellow skin in its mild form and severe yellowing and brain damage in its severe form. In our office, most jaundice tests can be done with a simple tool that measures the color of the skin using just reflected light. This test is instant and painless. In some circumstances, babies may also require a blood test using a heel prick.

Enhanced Newborn Screening
All newborns are required to be screened for inborn errors of metabolism. Although rare, inherited disorders are serious and the consequences can be devastating. Requirements vary from state to state on which of the 54 disorders must be screened. Kennesaw Pediatrics supports Enhanced Newborn Screening. Learn more about these screenings

Spot Vision
Infants as young as 6 months old can now be effortlessly tested for vision problems with the state of the art Spot vision screening tool. Learn more

Ear Piercing
For parents who plan to have their child’s ears pierced at a young age, the doctor’s office is the safest place to have this done. Our staff are trained to work with “wiggly” youngsters who may protest having a “shot” in their ears. Also, our system is completely safe and sterile. Learn more about ear piercing at Kennesaw Pediatrics

What exactly is a Pediatrician?

Pediatrics is the medical specialty fully focused on the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth through adolescence. The primary focus of pediatrics is on preventive health care.

Pediatricians complete 4 years of medical school, followed by 3 years of pediatric residency. To become board certified, a pediatrician must pass a written examination given by the American Board of Pediatrics. To keep current on changes in children’s health care, pediatricians must recertify by taking examinations every 7 years. They also must take a certain number of continuing medical education (CME) courses each year to be eligible for license renewal in the state in which they practice.

Some pediatricians have additional training in a subspecialty area such as cardiology, critical care or emergency medicine, or hematology. These specialists usually have 3 years of additional training after their residency to be board certified in their subspecialty.