Bringing home a newborn can be one of the most exciting times in a parent's life, but the event can also be both stressful and complicated. Newborns demand endless attention, and it is entirely up to the parents to make sure the child is fed, changed, immunized, and looked after. The first step in dealing with newborn health is choosing the right doctor. You and your baby will probably visit the doctor more often during the first year than at any other time in the child's life. What Happens Right After Birth Depending on your desires and the rules of the hospital or birth center where your baby is delivered, the first exam will either take place in the nursery or at your side: -- Weight, length, and head circumference will be measured -- Temperature will be taken, and your baby's breathing and heart rate will be measured -- The doctor or nurse will monitor skin color and your newborn's activity -- Special medication will be given to ward off infection -- A shot of vitamin K will be given to prevent the possibility of bleeding. Your baby will be given a first bath, and the umbilical cord stump will be cleaned. Most hospitals and birthing centers provide personal instructions (and sometimes videos) to new parents that cover feeding, bathing, and other important aspects of newborn care.

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2. 1
Overview
Bringing home a newborn can be one of the most
exciting times in a parent's life, but the event can
also be both stressful and complicated. Newborns
demand endless attention, and it is entirely up to
the parents to make sure the child is fed, changed,
immunized, and looked after.

3. 2
Overview
The first step in dealing with newborn health is
choosing the right doctor. You and your baby will
probably visit the doctor more often during the
first year than at any other time in the child's life.
**What Happens Right After Birth**

4. 3
Overview
Depending on your desires and the rules of the
hospital or birth center where your baby is
delivered, the first exam will either take place in
the nursery or at your side:
-- Weight, length, and head circumference will be
measured
-- Temperature will be taken, and your baby's
breathing and heart rate will be measured

5. 4
Overview
-- The doctor or nurse will monitor skin color and
your newborn's activity
-- Special medication will be given to ward off
infection
-- A shot of vitamin K will be given to prevent the
possibility of bleeding.

6. 5
Overview
Your baby will be given a first bath, and the
umbilical cord stump will be cleaned. Most
hospitals and birthing centers provide personal
instructions (and sometimes videos) to new
parents that cover feeding, bathing, and other
important aspects of newborn care.

7. 6
Resources
-- Top Ranked Pediatric Hospitals for Neonatal Care
-- Top Newborn Problems and How to Solve Them
-- The Healthy Newborn Network (HNN)

8. 7
Newborns and Your Doctor
A newborn baby will have to attend many doctor's
appointments during the first few months of life to
prevent disease and ensure good health later on in
life.

9. 8
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
The hospital or birth center where you deliver will
notify your child's doctor of the birth. If you have
had any medical problems during pregnancy, if any
medical problems for your baby are suspected, or
if you are having a C-section, a pediatrician or your
baby's doctor will be alerted of the impending
birth and be standing by to take care of the baby.

10. 9
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
The doctor you have chosen for your newborn will
probably give your baby a full physical examination
within 24 hours of birth. This is a good opportunity
to ask questions about your baby's care.

11. 10
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
A sample of your baby's blood (usually done by
pricking the baby's heel) will be taken to screen for
a number of diseases that are important to
diagnose at birth so effective treatment can be
started promptly. In some cases, a repeat sample
to confirm the results will be taken by the baby's
doctor soon after going home.

12. 11
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
Find out when the doctor would like to see your
newborn again. Most healthy newborns are
routinely examined at the doctor's office at about
1 to 2 weeks old. But if your baby is discharged
home less than 48 hours after delivery, your doctor
will want to have your baby come to the office for
a check within 48 hours after discharge.
**The First Office Visit**

13. 12
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
During the first office visit, your doctor will assess
your baby in a variety of ways. The first office visit
will differ from doctor to doctor, but you can
probably expect:
-- measurement of weight, length, and head
circumference to assess how your baby's been
doing since birth
-- observation of your newborn's vision, hearing,
and reflexes

14. 13
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
-- a total physical examination to check for any
abnormalities of the body or organ function
-- questions about how you are doing with the new
baby and how your baby is eating and sleeping
-- advice on what you can expect in the coming
month

15. 14
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
-- a discussion of your home environment and how
it might affect your baby's health (for example,
smoking in the house can negatively affect your
baby's health in many ways)

16. 15
Newborns and Your Doctor
**The Doctor's Visit**
Also, if the results of screening tests performed on
your newborn after birth are available, they may
be discussed with you. Bring any questions or
concerns to the doctor at this time. Jot down any
specific instructions given regarding special baby
care. Keep a permanent medical record for your
baby that includes information about growth,
immunizations, medications, and any problems or
illnesses.

17. 16
Newborns and Your Doctor
**Immunizations Your Baby Will Receive**
Babies are born with some natural immunity
against infectious diseases because their mothers'
infection-preventing antibodies are passed to them
through the umbilical cord. This immunity is only
temporary, but babies will develop their own
immunity against many infectious diseases.

18. 17
Newborns and Your Doctor
**Immunizations Your Baby Will Receive**
Breastfed babies receive antibodies and enzymes
in breast milk that help protect them from some
infections and even some allergic conditions.

19. 18
Newborns and Your Doctor
**Immunizations Your Baby Will Receive**
At birth or shortly after, some infants receive their
first artificial immunization, a hepatitis B vaccine
(HBV) that is given in three doses. There are
combination vaccines, however, that include HBV
and are given at the 2-month visit. So other babies
will receive no immunizations until 2 months of
age.
In either case, it's wise to familiarize yourself with
the standard immunization schedule.

20. 19
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
Since small problems can indicate big problems for
newborns, don't hesitate to call your doctor if you
have concerns. Some difficulties to be aware of
during this first month:

21. 20
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
-- Excessive drowsiness can be hard to spot in a
newborn since most sleep so much. But if you
suspect your infant is sleepier than normal, call the
doctor. Sometimes this could be a sign of infection.

22. 21
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
-- Eye problems can be caused by blockage of one
or both tear ducts. Normally the ducts open on
their own before too long, but sometimes they
remain clogged, which can cause mucus-like
tearing of the eyes. The white discharge can crust
up on the eyes and make it difficult for your baby
to open them, and the blockage can lead to
infection. If you suspect a serious infection, such as
pinkeye (conjunctivitis), call your doctor
immediately. If your baby has an infection, the
doctor will need to perf

23. 22
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
-- Fever in a newborn (rectal temperature above
100.4°F or 38°C) should be reported to your doctor
right away.
-- Extreme floppiness or jitters in a baby could be a
sign of underlying problems. Report them to the
doctor immediately.

24. 23
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
-- A runny nose can make it difficult for a baby to
breathe, especially during feeding. You can help
ease discomfort by using a rubber bulb aspirator to
gently suction mucus from the nose. Be sure to call
your doctor — even a common cold can be
dangerous for a newborn.

25. 24
Newborns and Your Doctor
**When to Call the Doctor**
-- While breastfed newborns generally have loose,
mustard-colored stools, very loose and watery
stools could indicate illness. The danger here for a
baby is dehydration, which can show up as a dry
mouth and a noticeable reduction in urine output
(fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours). Call your
doctor if your newborn's stools seem watery or
loose or often occur at other times besides after
feeding.