In the first weeks after birth, your baby will have several short check-ups. They give your doctor a chance to see how your baby is feeding, growing and settling in, and give you time to ask all the questions that come up in those first days at home.
When are the first visits?
Many families have a first visit within a few days of leaving the hospital, and then more visits during the first weeks and months. Your doctor will give you a schedule that fits your baby, so you know when to come back.
What usually happens
- Your baby is weighed and measured, including head size, and the numbers are added to a growth chart
- The doctor checks your baby from head to toe: heart, breathing, eyes, skin, belly button, hips and reflexes
- You talk about feeding, wet and dirty nappies, sleep and how your baby is settling
- The doctor may check for jaundice (a yellow colour of the skin) and talk about routine screening tests
- You get a plan for the next visit and for any vaccines that are due
What to bring
- Any papers from the hospital or birth centre
- Your insurance card
- A spare nappy, a change of clothes and a blanket
- A short list of your questions, written down before you go
How you are doing matters too
The first weeks can be exhausting. Your doctor will often ask how you are sleeping, eating and feeling. If you feel low, anxious or overwhelmed, say so: it is common, and help is available.
Call sooner if
- Your baby feeds poorly or has far fewer wet nappies than usual
- The skin or the whites of the eyes look more yellow
- Your baby seems unusually sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
- Your baby under three months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
If your baby has trouble breathing, turns blue or grey, or cannot be woken, call 911.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.