The anticipation of the arrival of a new member creates great excitement but also some concerns in the family. The prenatal pediatric counseling visit is your first meeting with the pediatrician, even before your baby arrives. It's an opportunity to get useful answers to all the questions that concern you about the proper care of the newborn.

Meeting the pediatrician before childbirth and establishing a relationship of trust early on gives you a sense of security and allows you to enjoy the first days of your baby's life without anxiety, knowing that you have a valuable ally by your side to face any difficulties together.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended prenatal visits to the pediatrician since the 1980s. It is particularly useful for parents who are expecting their first child, planning to adopt, or experiencing high-risk pregnancies or multiple pregnancies. Ideally, it should take place in the early third trimester of pregnancy, and both parents should participate.

During this meeting, there is a thorough discussion about breastfeeding and the actions you should take from the first hour of your baby's life to succeed in breastfeeding exclusively. The days you spend in the maternity ward are crucial for establishing breastfeeding, so proper guidance during pregnancy can be particularly helpful for first-time mothers who want to breastfeed. Common questions are answered, such as how often to breastfeed, whether you need to wake your baby to feed, how to know if your milk is enough to meet their needs, and when to use a breast pump.

In rare cases where breastfeeding is contraindicated or if the mother, despite being informed about the many benefits of breastfeeding, does not wish to breastfeed, instructions are given for the proper preparation of formula.

Additionally, detailed instructions are provided for the daily care of the newborn and the necessary equipment to avoid mishandling and unnecessary expenses. It's a good opportunity to resolve your concerns about pacifier use, umbilical cord care, the right frequency of bathing, water temperature, air conditioning use, and protecting your baby from insect bites.

Special emphasis is placed on creating the appropriate conditions for safe sleep and avoiding sudden infant death syndrome. Furthermore, preparation for the safe transportation of the newborn in the car, which should be ensured even for discharge from the maternity ward, is important.

Other concerns that usually occupy expectant parents relate to their family and broader social environment. In our first meeting, we'll have the opportunity to discuss how you can prepare your older children for the arrival of the newborn, whether visits from relatives and friends are allowed, whether it's safe for the newborn to interact with pets, and when you can take walks with your baby.

Your baby's crying often causes anxiety for new parents. Therefore, it will be very useful for you to become familiar with some soothing techniques and learn to recognize when the crying is simply a normal means of communication and when it indicates pain or illness.

Prenatal counseling is very important not only for parents but also for the pediatrician, who through taking the family history can examine the possibility of hereditary diseases and recommend appropriate intervention. It also allows for checking the vaccination coverage of all family members, which is an important preventive measure to protect the newborn from dangerous infectious diseases.

After the end of the prenatal counseling meeting, you should feel confident that you can consult your pediatrician every time a new concern arises and that all your worries will be addressed with understanding and respect!

Remember, there are no silly questions. Prepare your own list of questions and call us to schedule our first meeting!

Dr. Eleni Plessa - Pediatrician

Τηλ. 6941583838 – 2111828447