Your Baby’s Physical Checks
Your baby would have received a thorough physical check-up within the first 72 hours of birth. Many of these important checks will be repeated at the 6-8 week appointment to ensure your baby is developing well.
Your healthcare professional will explain the purpose of each check and discuss any findings with you. For more detailed information on what happens at this check, you can visit the NHS website on your baby’s health and development reviews.
Here’s what they’ll be checking:
- Measurements: Head circumference and length.
- Head: Fontanelles (the soft spots).
- Mouth: Palate and general mouth structure.
- Heart and Lungs: Sounds and function.
- Circulation: Groin pulses.
- Abdomen: Organs and belly button.
- Genitals: For boys, checking that the testicles have descended.
- Musculoskeletal: Feet, spine, and hips.
- Senses: Ears and eyes.
- Development: Reflexes.
You can find more information about the newborn physical examination (the check within the first 72 hours) on the NHS website here.
You should have your postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly. The baby checks are carried out by our GPs when the baby is 8 weeks old. We usually book this appointment just before your baby has their first 8 week immunisations, so they can be done on the same day. The GP will also carry out a post natal check for the mother after the baby check.
From the time your baby is born they will be offered a number of health checks, designed to monitor your child’s health and development.
When attending the appointment remember to take your Personal Child Health Record (also known as the ‘Red Book’) with you as your healthcare professional will need it.
Hearing Tests
Your baby’s hearing should have been checked by 4-5 weeks of age. This test often happens before you leave the hospital, but if not, it should be done no later than five weeks after birth.
If your baby hasn’t had a hearing test for any reason, please request an appointment for one now. You can learn more about the newborn hearing screening process on the NHS website.