By Dr. Maja Castillo and Maria Smilios
Experts break down the biggest decisions new parents face in NYC—from choosing a hospital to navigating the first days at home and knowing when to ask for help.
At a Glance
- What to ask when choosing a hospital for delivery
- Why picking a pediatrician before birth makes things easier
- What really happens in the first days after bringing baby home
- How to spot and support postpartum mental health
- Where NYC parents can find support and community early on
About 100,000 babies are born in New York City every year. That’s 100,000 families stepping into one of the most profound — and let’s be honest, most terrifying — moments of their lives. The joy is real. So is the fear. So is the exhaustion that hits before you’ve even left the hospital.
Here’s what we want every new and expecting parent in New York to know.
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What NYC Parents Need to Know From Delivery Room to First Days at Home
Choosing Where to Have Your Baby
The hospital closest to you isn’t always the right one — and you deserve to ask questions before you’re in labor. When you’re researching where to give birth, the things that matter most aren’t always in the brochure. Ask what happens the moment you walk in during labor. Ask who specifically will be in the room with you. Ask what support you’ll receive before they send you home with this new person you’re suddenly responsible for.
And make sure the hospital is equipped to handle the unexpected, because sometimes it happens, and you want to know the right people are already there.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
One of the most underrated things a new parent can do is talk to other parents. Not for advice, necessarily, but just for the reminder that what you’re feeling is normal, that someone else has been up at 3 am wondering the same things you are.
That support can look like an in-person group, an online community, or a structured program. At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, we offer Centering Pregnancy, which brings expectant mothers together with health experts to ask questions, share experiences, and build the kind of community that carries you through those early weeks.
Pick Your Pediatrician Before the Baby Arrives
This may surprise a lot of parents, but your baby will typically need to see a pediatrician within one to two days of coming home. That first visit covers weight, feeding, and a general health check, and it goes a lot smoother when you’re not scrambling to find a doctor while running on no sleep.
Once you have a pediatrician, use them. Call with the small questions. That’s what they’re there for.
Take Your Own Health Seriously, Too
The focus after birth naturally shifts to the baby, but you matter too, and your health directly affects your child’s.
The CDC estimates that about 1 in 9 women experience postpartum depression, meaning it’s far more common than most people realize, and far more treatable than many fear. Mood and anxiety disorders in perinatal health impact 1 in 5 women, according to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA).
It’s normal to feel a rush of emotions in those first weeks. But if what you’re feeling tips into persistent sadness, anxiety, or a sense that something is off, say something.
You can talk to your own doctor, your baby’s pediatrician, or a support group. Asking for help isn’t a sign that you’re struggling — it’s a sign that you’re paying attention.
Maria Smilios, CNS, Director of Nursing at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, was born at the same hospital she now serves and is deeply committed to supporting the diverse communities of Queens.
Dr. Maja Castillo, MD, is a Healthfirst Medical Director, pediatrician, mother, and proud Queens resident.
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