Newborn Care
Every baby is examined within hours of birth and again before going home. Those checks look for the things that are treatable if found early and difficult if missed: heart murmurs, hip problems, jaundice and feeding difficulty. A paediatrician is present at high-risk deliveries rather than called afterwards.
- Examined within hours of birth
- Paediatrician at high-risk deliveries
- Feeding support before discharge
- Neonatal unit on the same floor
Stay
With the mother, or in the neonatal unit if support is needed
Duration
Daily reviews while in hospital
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Newborn Care
Newborn care covers the routine examination, the newborn screening tests, feeding support and the management of the common early problems, jaundice above all. Most babies need nothing more than observation and help with feeding. The value of the checks is that the small number who do need something are found before they leave, rather than readmitted a week later.
- Two routine examinations, at birth and before discharge
- Jaundice is the commonest reason for readmission and is checked for
- Feeding support is offered to every mother, not only those who ask
- Weight is expected to dip in the first days and then recover
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about newborn care. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest newborn care.
- Every newborn delivered at the hospital
- Babies born elsewhere needing a newborn check
- Feeding difficulty in the first weeks
- Jaundice appearing in the first days
- Poor weight gain after discharge
- Concerns raised at the first examination
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Examination at birth
The baby is checked immediately after delivery, dried, kept warm and, where possible, placed skin to skin with the mother.
Detailed newborn check
A full examination within the first day, covering heart, hips, eyes, palate and reflexes, with newborn screening arranged.
Feeding and jaundice
Feeding is supported and observed. Jaundice is monitored, with a bilirubin level taken if the baby looks yellow.
Discharge check
A second examination before going home, with weight, feeding and jaundice reviewed and a follow-up arranged.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Nothing to prepare, as this is part of maternity care
- Tell the team about any family history of heart, hip or hearing problems
- Mention if you had gestational diabetes or an infection in pregnancy
- Ask for feeding help early rather than waiting until you are struggling
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- A weight dip of up to about a tenth of birth weight in the first days is normal
- Most babies regain birth weight by around two weeks
- Jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours or persisting beyond two weeks needs review
- Feed on demand, and expect frequent feeding in the early weeks
- A follow-up appointment is arranged before you leave
Why choose Humayun for newborn care
For a newborn who needs help, the distance between the delivery room and the incubator is what matters most.
- Neonatal intensive care on the same floor as the labour rooms, so no newborn travels between buildings
- A neonatologist present at deliveries known to be high risk rather than called afterwards
- Feeding support offered to every mother before discharge
- A follow-up appointment arranged before you leave rather than left to you to book
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More in Paediatric Services
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Regular measurement of weight, height and head size plotted on a growth chart, which is how problems are found early.
Developmental Assessment
Structured checks of movement, speech, social interaction and learning, so support can start early where it is needed.
Paediatric Emergency Care
Round-the-clock emergency assessment and treatment for children, by staff used to examining children.
Paediatric Inpatient Care
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Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
Intensive care for newborns needing breathing support, feeding through a tube, or close monitoring in the first weeks.
Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
Intensive care for critically ill children needing organ support, continuous monitoring or ventilation.