These paediatricians form part of a wider accredited team, ensuring both continuity and choice for your newborn’s care.

Your baby’s first paediatric check
Shortly after birth, usually within the first 24 hours, your baby will be seen by their allocated paediatrician for a comprehensive newborn check. If your delivery is by emergency caesarean, assisted birth, or if your obstetrician requests it, your paediatrician may be present at the delivery itself.

This first assessment is a detailed examination where your baby will be checked for key indicators of health such as breathing, heart function, feeding ability, reflexes, and skin tone. Most babies are well, but some may experience common newborn challenges like jaundice, low blood sugar, or slow weight gain. Your paediatrician is trained to detect and manage these early, so your baby gets the right care from the beginning.

Daily ward visits and ongoing support
During your hospital stay, your baby will be reviewed each day by a paediatrician. These visits may be quick, such as checking for jaundice or more involved if there are any concerns or questions. Your paediatrician will check in with the nursing team, review your baby’s progress, and stay in contact with you to ensure everyone is informed and confident in your baby’s care.

To provide round-the-clock service, our paediatricians share an on-call roster. This means you may see a different paediatrician from day to day, as many of our specialists also work within the public hospital system. Regardless of who attends, our doctors work closely together, keeping detailed records and communicating regularly to ensure your baby’s care remains seamless. You’re also welcome to arrange post-discharge follow-up with your preferred paediatrician, even if they weren’t the one who attended in hospital.

Nursery care or rooming-in with mum
If your baby needs closer medical supervision, such as for breathing support, temperature monitoring, or feeding assistance, they may be admitted to the hospital nursery for specialised care. If not, they will remain with you in your room as a “non-admitted” baby, with your paediatrician still reviewing them daily and available at any time if needed.

Whether your baby is in the nursery or rooming-in, your paediatrician is on call 24/7 for any urgent needs. They will continue to guide treatment plans, oversee your baby’s progress, and respond promptly to any concerns that may arise.

Discharge and transition to home
Before heading home, your baby will receive a final discharge check. This is a longer appointment where your paediatrician ensures everything is progressing well, answers any remaining questions, and provides clear guidance on what to expect in the coming weeks. Feeding, sleeping, settling, and any follow-up care will all be discussed with you.

Most babies will be booked in for a follow-up appointment around 6 weeks of age at our clinic, where their development and overall wellbeing can be further reviewed in a calm, familiar setting.

Understanding fees and invoicing
Billing for your baby’s neonatal care is based on the paediatrician’s attendances and any reviews or treatment provided during the hospital stay. You will receive an invoice reflecting this care. Our team is available to answer any billing or Medicare-related questions you may have, because we know the last thing you need during this time is confusion around paperwork.

Here to support you through the early days
At Townsville Paediatrics, we believe that quality newborn care is about more than clinical expertise, it’s about reassurance, consistency, and being present for families when they need it most. Whether your baby’s needs are straightforward or require more attention, our team is committed to ensuring every baby has the best possible start to life.

If you have any questions or would like to nominate a paediatrician ahead of your baby’s arrival, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are honoured to walk this journey with you.