The Postnatal Checks of Newborn Babies

The Apgar Assessment

The Apgar test assesses the newborn’s general condition at one minute after birth and again at five minutes after birth.
It evaluates the baby’s heart rate, breathing, tone, response to stimuli and colour.
Each category is scored from zero to two, providing an overall Apgar score out of ten.
A low Apgar score at one minute may indicate that the baby needs medical attention, but improvement by five minutes is typically a sign of recovery.

Physical Examination

This is carried out to detect any congenital abnormalities as early as possible.
The tests conducted include examining the baby’s heart, hips, eyes and, for boys, the testes.

Weight, Length and Head Circumference

These are assessed to identify any growth issues that need addressing.
They should all fall within a healthy range for newborns for the baby’s sex and gestational age.
Regular checks will monitor the baby’s growth over time.

Hearing Screening

Every newborn is given a hearing test within the first few weeks of life.
This is to identify any potential hearing issues as early as possible to provide effective interventions.

Newborn Blood Spot Screening

This is performed to check for nine rare but serious health conditions, including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.
It involves taking a small amount of blood from the baby’s heel at five days old.

Feeding and Weight Gain

The baby’s feeding pattern is observed, and enquiries are made concerning the baby’s appetite, energy levels and bowl movements.
The baby should gain weight following an initial loss after birth by starting to eat well.

Jaundice Observation

Many newborns have mild jaundice in the first week of life.
It causes their skin and eye whites to look yellow.
If it doesn’t clear up quickly, or it’s severe, it’s important to treat it promptly to prevent a rare type of brain damage.

Good parental awareness and understanding of these checks can support the parent’s involvement in monitoring their baby’s health and development, allowing for health conditions to be detected and treated promptly. Regular health visitor checks during the baby’s first few weeks and months also provide reassurance and practical advice to parents.