From Baby’s First Checkup to Adulthood: The Benefits of Family Medicine

Bringing a new baby home comes with plenty of excitement—and plenty of questions. Is the baby eating enough? Is that sleep pattern normal? What about vaccinations? When is a fever cause for concern?

One of the first decisions parents make is who will help them answer those questions and care for their child in the months and years ahead. While many may immediately think of a pediatrician, there is another option: a family medicine physician.

Family medicine physicians are trained to care for patients at every stage of life, from newborns and children to teens, adults and seniors. That means the same physician who cares for a newborn can potentially continue caring for that child throughout adolescence and well into adulthood—and may also care for the child’s parents, siblings and grandparents.

“Family medicine really gives us the opportunity to care for the entire family,” said Shantie Harkisoon, MD, Family Medicine Residency Director at Garnet Health. “We provide routine well visits, sick visits, vaccinations and preventive care for children, but we also get to know the families and understand the environment in which those children are growing up.”

Starting care in baby’s first days

That relationship can begin almost immediately after a baby leaves the hospital.

Newborns should have their first follow-up appointment within a few days after discharge. At Garnet Health Doctors’ Family Medicine practice, every effort is made to ensure newborn appointments are reserved, so babies can be seen within 72 hours of leaving the hospital.

That early visit provides an important opportunity to see how well the baby and the family are adjusting at home. Providers check the baby’s weight, discuss feeding, and make sure appropriate newborn screenings and testing have been completed or are being followed up on. Just as importantly, the visit allows mom to be screened for perinatal depression and gives parents an opportunity to ask questions.

“New parents have a lot of concerns, and that’s completely normal,” Dr. Harkisoon said. “Some of the common topics we talk about include breastfeeding, co-sleeping, crib safety, normal development, parent fatigue and the various normal noises babies make. It’s also an opportunity to let parents know what they should expect over the next few weeks.”

Parents should never hesitate to reach out when something doesn’t seem right, she added. A fever, changes in feeding, lack of wet or soiled diapers, or a baby who is unusually difficult to console are among the reasons to call a healthcare provider.

“Parents know their babies,” Dr. Harkisoon said. “We tell them to trust their instincts. There really is no concern that’s too small to call us about.”

One provider for the whole family

Family medicine physicians receive training across a broad range of medical specialties, including pediatrics, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. Their role is to address most routine health needs while recognizing when a patient may benefit from more specialized care.

If a child develops a condition requiring a pediatric specialist, for example, a family physician can help coordinate the referral while continuing to serve as the child’s primary care provider.

But one of the biggest advantages of family medicine may be something less obvious: understanding the health of the family as a whole.

A child’s health doesn’t exist in isolation. Eating habits, physical activity, stress, family medical history and the health behaviors modeled by parents can all influence a child’s health and development.

“When you’re taking care of the whole family, you have a much broader picture,” Dr. Harkisoon explained. “You know if a parent has diabetes or high blood pressure. You know what is happening in the home and what challenges the family may be facing. All of that can help us think about prevention and what we can do to help that child stay healthy as they grow.”

A familiar face through every stage

For children, having a family physician can also mean going to a medical practice they already know. That familiarity can make a doctor’s visit less intimidating and build trust as a young child grows.

It also eliminates a transition that eventually comes with pediatric care. Rather than needing to establish a relationship with a new primary care provider as a young adult, patients can remain with a family physician who already knows their medical history and family.

With more than 20 years in family medicine, Dr. Harkisoon has seen the benefits of those long-term relationships firsthand. She has cared for multiple generations of families—and those connections are part of what makes family medicine unique.

From a baby’s first weight check, childhood vaccinations, school physicals and adolescent health to adult preventive care and management of chronic conditions later in life, a family physician can remain a consistent partner through decades of change.

For parents deciding where to begin their newborn’s healthcare journey, the choice isn’t only about who will care for their baby today. It can also be about building a healthcare relationship that grows along with the child—and the family—for years to come.

“One of the greatest privileges in family medicine is watching a newborn grow into a healthy child, then a teenager, then an adult who eventually brings in their own children. That continuity allows us to build relationships that span generations, and those relationships are at the heart of providing exceptional care.”

Garnet Health Doctors’ Family Medicine team is standing by to welcome new patients. To make an appointment, call 845-333-7575 or visit garnethealth.org/familymedicineproviders.