Newborn Care

What to Expect at Your Newborn Care Appointment

Your appointment is structured to create a calm, reassuring experience for both you and your baby. Your paediatrician will begin by discussing your baby’s birth history, feeding patterns, nappy output, sleep, and any concerns you have noticed. A gentle, detailed physical examination follows, focusing on breathing, reflexes, skin, hydration, growth and early development.

If further tests are recommended, these can often be arranged immediately. Your paediatrician will explain the findings clearly and provide personalised guidance tailored to your baby’s needs, along with advice on what to expect in the coming days. Parents frequently leave feeling more confident in understanding their baby’s cues and how to support them at home.

If emotional wellbeing, adjustment or early bonding difficulties are part of the picture, our Psychiatry team can also support families through the early postnatal period. For mothers who recently gave birth, we also work closely with our Obstetrics team at to provide continuity between postnatal maternal health and newborn care.

Integrated Newborn Care Under One Roof

One of the advantages of Central Health London is the seamless collaboration between our paediatricians, general practitioners, obstetricians, psychologists and psychiatrists. Newborn concerns often span both medical and emotional domains, and our coordinated model ensures parents receive consistent, joined up guidance rather than fragmented care across different providers. Clinicians discuss cases directly, share insights in real time and plan follow up jointly when necessary. This approach supports families through both practical and emotional aspects of early parenthood, providing clarity and confidence at every stage.

Why Families Choose Central Health London for Newborn Care

Parents choose our newborn service because it offers consultant level expertise, longer appointments, same day access and a calm, supportive environment. Our team provides precise assessment and thoughtful explanation, with continuity built into each step of the care pathway. The combination of clinical expertise and joined up support means families receive guidance that is both medically comprehensive and emotionally attuned.

When to Seek Newborn Assessment

New parents are encouraged to contact us promptly if their baby:

• Is feeding poorly or taking significantly less milk

• Is unusually sleepy, irritable or difficult to settle

• Has jaundice that is worsening or not improving

• Shows breathing concerns, colour changes or reduced alertness

• Has fewer wet or dirty nappies than expected

• Appears generally unwell

If you are unsure whether symptoms are normal, our team can advise by phone and help you decide whether your baby should be seen the same day.

Speak to a Consultant Paediatrician

If you would like reassurance or specialist assessment for your baby, our newborn care team is here to support you.

Email: reception@centralhealthlondon.com

Call: +44 207 118 7588 Or book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms suggest that my newborn needs to be seen urgently?

Newborns should be assessed urgently if they feed poorly, show reduced alertness, have difficulty breathing, display a change in colour, or produce fewer wet nappies than usual. Parents should also seek immediate advice if a baby develops a fever, persistent vomiting or jaundice that appears to be worsening. At Central Health London, newborns can be seen via our same day gp appointments by a consultant paediatrician who will provide a calm, thorough assessment and outline the safest next steps.

Is newborn jaundice normal and when should I be concerned?

Jaundice is common in the early days of life and often resolves without treatment. However, certain types of jaundice require close monitoring or further investigation. Parents should seek review if the yellow colouring deepens, persists beyond the first days of life or is associated with poor feeding, sleepiness or reduced nappies. During your appointment, your paediatrician can assess the severity of jaundice, arrange same day bilirubin levels and provide a clear plan for management.

How can I tell if my baby is gaining enough weight?

Weight gain varies between babies, but slow or stagnant growth is an important sign to review. Our team checks weight, feeding, milk intake and early development during each appointment. If there are concerns about growth, your paediatrician will explore feeding patterns, observe a feed where helpful, and arrange follow up reviews to ensure progress. Parents receive specific, practical guidance tailored to their baby’s feeding method, whether breast, bottle or mixed.

Can unsettled sleep or excessive crying indicate a medical problem?

Many newborns experience periods of crying, discomfort or unsettled sleep, but persistent crying or difficulty soothing may indicate colic, reflux, or feeding challenges that benefit from specialist assessment. During your appointment, your paediatrician will consider medical, developmental and environmental factors. If needed, additional support can be arranged through our Psychology and Counselling team to help parents manage the emotional challenges of early infancy.

Do you offer support for breastfeeding and bottle feeding concerns?

Yes. Feeding support is central to newborn care. Your paediatrician will explore feeding technique, frequency, milk transfer and any difficulties you have noticed. If further expertise is needed, we can arrange ongoing feeding support and follow up appointments to monitor progress. Early guidance often helps parents feel more confident and reduces unnecessary stress during the first weeks.

Can you coordinate my baby’s care with my postnatal health needs?

Yes. Many newborn concerns are linked to maternal recovery, feeding, birth history or postnatal wellbeing. We work closely with our Obstetrics team to ensure both mother and baby receive joined up care. This includes supporting breastfeeding challenges, maternal recovery, emotional wellbeing and early bonding concerns. Parents benefit from having all elements of postnatal and newborn care addressed in one coordinated service.

What should I bring to a newborn appointment at Central Health?

Parents often find it helpful to bring their baby’s red book, details of recent feeds, stool and nappy output, and any hospital discharge paperwork. A short video of feeding or crying patterns can also be useful for the paediatrician. Bringing these details allows your clinician to understand your baby’s experience in context and provide a personalised plan that reflects their individual needs.