Your baby will get his first checkup before he leaves the hospital to make sure he is healthy.

Baby’s first checkup

Here are some of the  tests and treatments your child may receive .

APGAR score : At 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth, a health care professional checks your baby for 5 things.  They check for Heart rate, Breathing, Muscle tone, Reflexes and Skin Color. Each gets a score of 0 to 2. The total score is called an Apgar score. If your baby has a score of 7 or more, he is healthy. If he has a score less than 7, he probably is fine but he may need some special care.

Eye drops or ointment : This will protect your child from infection

Vitamin K shot : This vitamin helps your baby’s blood clot and protect him from bleeding problems. This shot is given right after birth.

Complete physical : Your baby will be checked from head to toe by a health care professional. He will listen to his heart and lungs and check his eyes, nose, mouth, head , arms and legs. The baby will be given a hepatitis B shot to protect him  from hepatitis B, a virus that causes  problems in your baby’s liver.

Blood test : Your newborn will have a routine newborn screening for  certain genetic, metabolic, hormonal and functional disorders.

Hearing test : This is done to check for any hearing problems. Early detection of hearing loss allows the baby to be fitted with hearing aids before 6 months of age, helping prevent serious speech and language problems in the future.

Your baby’s weight, height and head circumference will also be measured.

During the first year, the baby will see the doctor for wellness checkups. These checkups are very important. They help the doctor check how the baby is growing  and developing.  It is important to take your baby to these checkups even if he is feeling well.