| You have a new baby, and you are a proud | | | | Your doctor or nurse can answer questions |
| parent. Do you sometimes feel excited but | | | | about the tests. |
| also a little nervous about taking care of | | | | |
| your new baby? Then you are like most | | | | If you don't have health insurance for your |
| parents. Even in the first days of life, your | | | | baby, you can learn about resources in your |
| baby is starting to find out who you are. | | | | state by contacting the U.S. Department of |
| | | | Health and Human Services' Insure Kids Now |
| Research has found that very young babies | | | | Program. |
| know the difference between their parents and | | | | |
| strangers. There are many changes that take | | | | What a Healthy Newborn Looks Like |
| place and new things to learn when you become | | | | |
| a parent. It doesn't happen overnight. Be | | | | Newborn babies don't usually look like the |
| patient with yourself. The love you have for | | | | cute babies in diaper ads. Newborns' heads |
| your baby will help you learn to become a | | | | are often more pointed than round. Their skin |
| good parent. Just as no two babies are | | | | may be wrinkly and reddish in color. This is |
| exactly alike, no one takes care of a baby in | | | | normal. |
| exactly the same way. Be a loving parent. Do | | | | |
| your best. Enjoy your baby! Ask questions if | | | | In the center of your baby's head is a "soft |
| you need help. | | | | spot" where the skull bones have not yet |
| | | | joined. This allows your baby's head to be |
| Newborn Health Screening | | | | flexible during the birthing process. The |
| | | | skull bones will grow together to cover this |
| Your baby is tested for certain medical | | | | spot as your baby grows. Meantime, the soft |
| conditions when she is born. Many conditions | | | | spot allows your baby's brain to grow. |
| can be treated if they are found early | | | | |
| enough. Early treatment means your baby can | | | | Sometimes there are dark red patches on the |
| grow up healthier. | | | | baby's eyelids. They can also be on the |
| | | | bridge of the nose or back of the neck. No |
| Newborn tests are given in the hospital right | | | | one knows what causes these. They usually go |
| after birth. The tests are given again at | | | | away during the first year. |
| your baby's first checkup. | | | | |
| | | | Some babies are born bald, some have thin |
| The second series of tests is important. It | | | | hair, and others are born with thick, dark |
| must be done one or two weeks after the first | | | | hair. For many babies, this first hair rubs |
| tests. Be sure to take your baby to the | | | | off. For others, the color may change. |
| doctor or clinic for this second series of | | | | |
| tests. At this visit, your doctor will also | | | | Eye color can also change after birth. Eye |
| check other things to make sure your baby is | | | | color is usually set by the end of the first |
| doing fine. | | | | year. |
| | | | |
| A small amount of your baby's blood will be | | | | The umbilical cord that is left on the navel |
| taken. It will be tested and you will be told | | | | at birth will drop off in five to 10 days. |
| if there is any cause for concern. | | | | The place where it falls off will become your |
| | | | baby's belly button. |