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Your Baby's Health Checkups After Birth


Your baby will need a checkup right after birth, and then on the second or third day of life. After this time, you will need to bring your baby to the health care provider for routine vaccines. It's always a good idea to keep a record of the date and age your baby received care, of any illnesses or allergies she has, and what medications she received. And remember, you know your baby better than anyone else. If you feel that something is wrong, never hesitate to call your baby's health care provider.

If your baby shows any of the following signs or symptoms, be sure to call her health care provider right away.

  • Your baby has not passed any urine or meconium in the first 24 hours after birth.
  • There have been fewer than six wet diapers in any 24-hour period after the second day.
  • Your baby seems to be vomiting an entire feeding and it appears that this vomiting is forceful.
  • Your baby appears yellowish or tanned. (Even though mild jaundice is common, you should always call to report it.)
  • Your baby's rectal temperature is higher than 100.6ºF.
  • You notice any swelling, oozing, redness, rash, a bad smell, or warmth around her umbilical cord.
  • Your baby's cry is different than normal, she seems restless, there are changes in her bowel movements, or a rash other than a diaper rash appears on her body. In other words, report any activity that could be a sign that your baby isn't well.


Continue to "Vaccination Schedule for Your Newborn" journey to parenthood


Most recent page update: 9/9/2010
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