Newborn Follow-up Program
Newborns who experience critical illness or birth complications have a higher risk of growth problems or developmental delays. The Newborn Follow-up Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles provides ongoing comprehensive care for these babies to ensure the best start.
The program is one of the most robust in the area—our specialists see about 400 patients across a seven-county area each year, providing care that gets exceptional outcomes.
Newborn Follow-up Program: Why Choose Us
When you come to the Newborn Follow-up Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, you can expect:
- Comprehensive, advanced treatments: We are one of the only high-risk newborn programs where the full range of specialists work together under one roof. This collaboration leads directly to more advanced treatments and improved outcomes. Our patients have access to every subspecialist they may need, including neonatologists, occupational therapists and developmental behavioral pediatricians.
- Specialized nutrition services: Our program is the only one in the region to offer nutrition services for mothers and infants, including a specialized nutritionist who provides breastfeeding support and consultation. Breastfeeding is linked to health benefits for both mother and baby, including a stronger immune system and a lower risk of infections. Because California Children’s Services (CCS) does not fund this service specifically, many programs don’t include a nutritionist.
- Mental health support: Psychologists in the Newborn Follow-up Program provide support for mothers and their babies. These experts use a unique approach called Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) focused on strengthening the caregiver-infant relationship. Research shows this intervention leads to better outcomes and reduced risk of trauma for both mother and baby.
- Care from research-driven experts: Families who come to us know their care team includes experts who know the newest, most innovative treatment options. A well-established research team within the Newborn Follow-up Program is devoted to identifying early risks and interventions for babies, to improve quality of life for all children.
Conditions We Treat
We treat babies who have a higher risk of growth, developmental or behavioral problems due to complications or conditions they experience as newborns, such as:
- Chronic lung disease
- Conditions requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- Congenital heart disease
- Fetal and neonatal neurological complications
- Low birth weight
- Prematurity
Your Appointment With the Newborn Follow-up Program
At each appointment with the Newborn Follow-up Program, our specialists evaluate your baby’s development. If needed, we provide referrals to early intervention services such as physical therapy or occupational therapy to aid in healthy growth. Early intervention ensures that we provide treatment to advance your baby’s development as much as possible.
Visits typically occur in four stages, when the baby is around:
- Newborn to 2 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 24 months
Collaborative, Expert Care
The Newborn Follow-up Program uses a care model that integrates the expertise of multiple specialists. Your care plan might include experts in:
