Newborn baby checks

In the first few days, if you have your baby in hospital, a paediatrician (or perhaps a midwife) will give your baby a thorough examination before you go home.

If you have a home birth, your GP will visit you at home to do the examination. The doctor should explain to you what he is doing at each stage of the examination.

The checks that will be done include:

• Measuring his weight, length and around his head again

• Examining his skull to check the position of his skull bones

• Observing his face and neck for any outward signs of abnormalities

• Listening to his heartbeat

• Feeling his pulse

• Listening to his breathing

• Feeling inside his mouth with a finger to see if he has a cleft palate

• Checking his fingers and palms

• Gently feeling his abdomen to check the size of his liver, kidneys and spleen

• Feeling along his spine for any defects

• Checking his feet and ankles

• Examining a boy’s testicles to make sure they have both descended

• Examining a girl’s labia to check that they are not joined together

• Asking whether he or she has had dirty and wet nappies

The last test to be done is to check the baby’s hips. This is done by gently bending his knees up to his chest and by rotating his legs slightly.

Babies tend to cry when this is done, which is why most doctors leave it until last!

Sometimes the doctor will pick up a slight clicking sound, which shows that the ball of bone at the top of the leg is not seated properly into the socket joint. If left unattended this could cause a limp when the baby begins to walk. The treatment for this is usually very simple; a body splint can be worn for a few weeks. Very rarely, an operation may be needed.