What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Center

Taking a little one home from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be exciting and overwhelming. That's especially true if your baby has been diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Rest assured that, even at home, you have a team of dedicated and caring professionals supporting you and your baby. One of those teams is at our BPD Center.

Here, neonatologists, pulmonologists, registered nurses, dieticians and many other specialists are here to answer your questions and monitor your baby's breathing, growth and development. We have years of experience and training caring for babies just like yours—newborns that had an early start and spent some time in the NICU to grow big and strong.

We'll help you manage all that comes with caring for a baby with lung disease, including those who need oxygen at home. Learn more about what you can expect at your first appointment at the BPD Center.

Making an Appointment at the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Center

Your baby's care team will schedule your appointment at the BPD Center before you leave the NICU. They'll let you know when and where you'll need to go to see our team. No need to call and provide us with any information about your child. We want it to be easy and seamless as possible to continue to provide the care your baby needs to grow and thrive.

On the Day of Your Visit to the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Center

Getting out of the house is tough with a newborn. We understand it gets even more complicated when you need to bring special medical equipment. We're here to make it as easy as possible.

Our team will greet you the minute you step into our clinic. We'll offer a hand to help carry things and get you and baby comfortable. Then, we'll walk you through each step of your visit—from registration to meeting with your provider.

Before Your Appointment

We do ask that you plan on arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This allows you 15 minutes to park and walk to our clinic and 15 minutes to complete any necessary paperwork.

Please contact the NICU Follow-Up Clinic if you are running late for your appointment.

Be sure to bring all necessary baby gear and medical equipment you'll need during the appointment. Based on your child's needs, that may include:

• Feeding supplies (formula, bottles, tube feedings, etc.)
• Diapers
• Oxygen
• Medical supplies
• Medications

At Your Appointment

You'll meet several members of your baby's care team, including:

• Neonatology provider
• Pulmonary physician
• Registered nurse
• Dietician
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Social worker

At the appointment, your child's provider will conduct a thorough physical exam to check your baby's overall health. If needed, our dietician is available to discuss formula needs. We may also perform a few simple developmental screenings to help us monitor how your little one is doing.

Then, we'll work closely with you to develop a care plan that allows your baby to continue to flourish. We will also discuss several important topics, including:

• How feedings are going and if you have any concerns
• How your baby is growing and developing
• How medications are being tolerated (side effects, effectiveness)
• How your baby is breathing
• How your baby's oxygen levels are doing and assess if settings need to be adjusted
• What, if any, therapy services may benefit your baby
• What, if any, home services may help you and your baby

Finally, we'll review our recommended follow-up plan for your baby. That may include new medications, appointments with specialists, along with how often we'll see you at our clinic. One of our nurses will review this plan in detail before you leave. You'll also have the chance to discuss any questions or concerns with your baby's providers.

This first appointment will last approximately one to two hours.

After Your Visit to the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Center

You will receive an “After Visit Summary” before you leave, which includes important information about your next appointments. You are welcome to contact the NICU Follow-Up Clinic or Pulmonary Clinic between your appointments:

For feeding, growth and development concerns, contact the NICU Follow-Up Clinic.

For breathing or oxygen questions or concerns, contact the Pulmonary Clinic.