Finding a Primary Care Doctor to Care for Your Baby
A lifelong adventure starts when you bring your baby home. Before your journey begins, you’ll need a pediatrician to provide primary care to your new addition.
Your baby’s doctor will see your baby regularly throughout the first year for well-baby exams, where growth and development are tracked. Pediatricians also provide important preventive care, such as vaccinations. They may also take care of some procedures, such as circumcision in boys. Most importantly, your infant’s primary care doctor will be there in case of accidents or illnesses during the first year.
Choosing your new child’s pediatrician is an important decision. At PAMF, our Newborn Navigation Program is here to help you, every step of the way.
The Newborn Navigation Program is a free service offering:
- A personalized and welcoming experience.
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Families can select a preferred doctor for their baby before delivery.
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One number where you can reach pediatric or family medicine doctor recommendations, registering your newborn as a new patient at PAMF, appointment scheduling for the first newborn visit, or referrals to programs such as lactation support and baby classes.
- Accessibility seven days a week, 365 days a year by phone or email. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Holidays, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
We encourage all expectant parents to call the Newborn Navigator at (888) 280-9300 or complete the Primary Care Doctor Referral Form below to begin the process of selecting your baby’s doctor.
This form should be for non-urgent matters only. The usual response time is between three to five business days. Please review your information carefully before pushing submit.
Primary Care Doctor Referral Form *
* Newborns only
Newborn Care
Thanks to advanced prenatal testing services, doctors are often aware of potential newborn problems ahead of birth, but babies can be surprising. More than 30,000 babies are delivered at hospitals in the Sutter Health network every year. We know to expect the unexpected.
We offer routine newborn care including genetic abnormalities testing, a hearing screening, a comprehensive newborn physical exam and several recommended preventive services that help keep your baby healthy.
New mothers are supported with special services, notably our lactation services. Because of this, nearly 90 percent of mothers leave Sutter breastfeeding their babies, as measured by the California Department of Public Health. Our Fremont and Los Gatos clinics offer a "newborn club" — two-hour shared medical appointments with a nurse practitioner to learn the basics and standards of newborn care. Contact the centers directly for more information.
