Health checks for babies
Within the first year of life, your baby will go through a series of tests to ensure they are developing healthily. Newborn screening starts almost immediately; at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, your healthcare professionals will carry out ‘Apgar’ checks on your baby’s muscle tone (Activity), heart rate (Pulse), reflex responses (Grimace), skin colour (Appearance), and breathing (Respiration). Your baby will be given an Apgar score between 1 and 10. This is normally nothing to worry about − most babies score 7 or more, which is considered good health.
Newborn screening within the first 8 days
Within 3 days of birth, your baby’s overall health will be checked, which will include a general top-to-toe physical check and up to 4 specific newborn screening examinations, to check your baby’s eyes, heart, hips and, for baby boys, their testicles. Your baby will be weighed during this period to allow you Health Visitor to monitor them at a later stage to make sure they're not losing weight.
Between 5 and 8 days, ‘newborn bloodspot screening’ will be carried out. This is a blood test that involves quickly pricking your baby’s heel. Although no parent wants to see their baby in distress, this is just a moment of discomfort and is essential in identifying any rare conditions your baby may have. The results of the test are usually available by the time your baby is 6−8 weeks old. For most babies, nothing will be found, but for the small number of cases where something is found, early identification and treatment can rapidly improve a baby’s health.
To make sure babies with hearing difficulties are identified and given help as early as possible, your newborn will also be offered a routine hearing test. This can be carried out before you take your newborn home from hospital, or you can choose to have it done later on, within the first month. It’s quick and simple and can even be done while your baby is sleeping, and you should the results straightaway (though this can vary depending on where you live).
Baby health checks within the first few months
Between 6−8 weeks, your baby will have another series of tests to assess their development. These include checks on their eyes, heart, hips, height, weight, head circumference, and arm and leg movement. The timing of these tests varies between health authorities but don’t worry, your health visitor will let you know when everything will be happening.
Your baby’s immunisation schedule up to 1 year
At 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, and 1 year of age, your baby will be routinely offered immunisations to protect them from serious illnesses such as: tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and meningitis C. You will usually receive a letter from your GP or health visitor to give you the dates for the immunisations.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s immunisations, newborn screening or your baby’s health in general, then speak to your health care professional. And, of course you can also give our expert advisors a call anytime on 0800 996 1000. Or chat to us online via our instant messaging service, Live Chat, Monday to Friday, 8am−8pm.