A new baby: the first days and weeks

Bringing your baby home for the first time can be a scary prospect.

In fact, the first few days and weeks are like a step into the unknown and it's easy to feel as if you're doing everything wrong.

Try not to worry, though, because there's lots of advice and support available to help you adjust.

The checks

Who will come to see me after the birth?

The day after you leave hospital a community midwife will visit you at your home. A typical visit will last around 30 minutes, and she will arrange to visit you again within a few days.

What checks will she carry out?

The first time she visits your midwife will want to do the following:

• Check your baby's weight (you will need to undress your baby so that she can do this)
• Make sure that the umbilical stump is healing well
• Check that your baby is feeding well. If you are breastfeeding she may want to make sure that your baby is latching on correctly
• Feel your tummy to make sure that your uterus is shrinking back to its normal size
• If you had a c-section or needed any stitches she may want to check that you are healing well with no signs of infection.

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When your baby is between 6 and 14 days old you will be offered the newborn heel prick test, known as 'the Guthrie test'. This involves making a tiny pin-prick in the heel of your baby's foot and collecting a drop of blood, which is used to cover four absorbent circles on a piece of card. This test is used to screen for some very uncommon health problems, including:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Hypothyroidism
• Phenylketonuria.

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Parents are usually only contacted if there's a problem, but results are available from your GP or Health Visitor.

How many times will she visit?

Your midwife will visit regularly until your baby is around two weeks old. If she is happy that all is well with you and your baby she will then hand over your care to a Health Visitor, who is based at your GP Surgery.

Initially your Health Visitor will visit you at home, but after the first visit you will need to bring your baby to regular baby clinics, so that his weight can be monitored and you can ask questions or discuss any concerns.

- Next: What do you do with your baby? From nappy changing to what they should wear

More help and advice

- Guide to breastfeeding
- Possible problems in your baby's first year
- Why is my baby crying?

By Ceri Roberts