New baby? Start here.
Congratulations! We see new babies within days of leaving the hospital, and we walk you through every first - feeding, sleep, shots, and all your questions. Here is exactly what to do, in order.
Three steps before the first visit
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1. Tell the hospital who your pediatrician is
Say "Dr. Bou Pediatrics" at delivery. The hospital sends us your baby's records, and we know to expect you.
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2. Add your baby to your insurance - fast
Private insurance: call your plan as soon as your baby is born. Most plans allow only 30 days; we cannot bill the parent's insurance for the baby. Medicaid: call (877) 711-3662 or go to flmedicaidmanagedcare.com, activate your newborn's coverage, and pick Dr. Salvador A. Bou-Gauthier as the primary care provider. Write down the confirmation number - our office needs it to schedule the first appointment.
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3. Book the first checkup
Within a few days of hospital discharge (your discharge papers say when). Book online or call - newborns get priority spots.
What happens at each checkup
Babies have many visits in the first years - each one tracks growth, development, feeding, and shots at the right time. The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes free parent handouts for every age, so you know what to expect before each visit:
AAP Bright Futures - what to expect at every age ↗
We follow this schedule at both offices, and we follow the full AAP vaccine schedule - every provider, every child. Questions between visits? Message us through the patient portal.
Common new-parent questions
When should my baby first see the pediatrician?
Within a few days of leaving the hospital - your discharge papers will say when. Book before your baby arrives or right after birth, and we will hold the right timing for you.
Can we choose you as our pediatrician before the baby is born?
Yes, and it helps! Call us at (813) 948-8814 and tell the hospital "Dr. Bou Pediatrics" when you deliver. That way records flow to us and the first visit is easy to book.
What if the insurance paperwork is not done by the first visit?
Do not skip the visit - newborn checkups are time-sensitive. A baby without active coverage yet is seen at our flat self-pay rate, which is non-refundable, so activating coverage fast is worth it.