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