Newborn care
Draft. This page has not yet been reviewed by the doctor.
The first weeks bring many questions. Dr Khalid Bhatti examines newborn babies and advises parents on feeding, weight gain and jaundice.
When should a newborn first be checked?
A newborn should be examined soon after birth and again within the first week. Bring your baby sooner if anything worries you.
What happens at a newborn check?
The doctor examines your baby from head to toe and asks about feeding, wet nappies and stools.
- Weight, length and head size are measured.
- The heart, breathing, eyes, mouth, hips and umbilical cord are examined.
- The skin is checked for jaundice.
- You can ask about feeding, sleep and anything else on your mind.
How should feeding and weight gain go in the first weeks?
Most babies lose a little weight in the first few days and are back to their birth weight by about two weeks. Regular wet nappies and steady weight gain show that a baby is feeding well.
The World Health Organization recommends breast milk alone for the first six months. Feed your baby whenever your baby shows signs of hunger, day and night.
If feeding is painful or difficult, or you are worried that your baby is not getting enough milk, bring your baby to the clinic for a feeding and weight check.
Jaundice in newborns: what is normal and what is not?
Mild yellowing of the skin and eyes is common from the second or third day of life and usually fades within two weeks. Some jaundice needs treatment, so a doctor should see any baby whose jaundice worries you.
Bring your child to the clinic if
- the yellow colour appears in the first 24 hours after birth
- the yellow colour is spreading or getting deeper
- your baby is very sleepy or feeding poorly
- the stools are pale or the urine is dark
- the jaundice has lasted more than two weeks
Which warning signs in a baby under three months need urgent care?
Young babies can become unwell quickly. Go to a hospital emergency department without waiting for clinic hours if your baby shows any of these signs.
- A fever, or a body that feels unusually cold
- Refusing feeds or feeding much less than usual
- Fast or difficult breathing, or grunting
- Being very sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
- A fit or unusual jerking movements
- Blue, grey or very pale skin or lips