Newborn Procedures & First Checkups
What happens in the first hours, days, and weeks
Immediate Newborn Care
In the first minutes after birth, the care team performs a series of routine checks and procedures on the baby. These are standard, quick, and low-risk but can feel overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. The baby is usually placed on the birthing parent's chest for skin-to-skin contact first, and these procedures are done either while the baby is on the parent or at a nearby warmer.
APGAR Score
The APGAR score is assessed at 1 minute and again at 5 minutes after birth. It evaluates five signs: heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color. Each is scored 0 to 2, with a maximum total of 10. Most healthy babies score 7 or above. A low score does not necessarily mean something is wrong, but it tells the care team the baby needs extra attention. The APGAR is not a predictor of long-term health.
Umbilical Cord Clamping
Delayed cord clamping, waiting at least 30 to 60 seconds after birth before clamping and cutting the cord, is now standard practice for healthy babies. This allows more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby, which increases the baby's iron stores and reduces the risk of anemia in infancy. If the baby needs immediate medical attention, the cord is clamped early. The partner is often invited to cut the cord. It is firmer and more slippery than you might expect, so cut decisively.
Immediate Procedures
Newborn Hearing Screening
Before discharge, the baby's hearing is screened using a quick, painless test. A small earphone is placed in the baby's ear, and a computer measures the ear's response to sound. Most babies pass. If the baby does not pass, a repeat test is scheduled. Early detection of hearing loss is critical for language development.
Choosing a Pediatrician
The baby will need a medical caregiver for well-baby visits, immunizations, and illness care. Ideally, choose a pediatrician or family doctor before the birth. When choosing, consider: the doctor's views on breastfeeding, feeding schedules, circumcision, vaccination, and sleep practices. Many pediatricians offer prenatal meet-and-greet appointments. The first well-baby visit is usually scheduled 2 to 5 days after discharge.
The First Week Checkup
The first pediatrician visit typically happens within the first few days after leaving the hospital. The doctor will: weigh the baby and check for weight loss or gain, assess feeding and diaper output, check the umbilical cord stump and healing, evaluate jaundice, answer your questions, and schedule the next visit. Weight loss of up to 7 percent of birth weight in the first days is normal. The baby should regain birth weight by about day 10 to 14.
Immunization Schedule
The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that babies receive their first hepatitis B vaccine before discharge, with the second dose at 1 to 2 months. Other vaccines are given on a schedule at well-baby visits. Staying on schedule is the best way to protect the baby from preventable diseases.