Birth to 4 weeks
Newborn
The first visit comes within days of coming home. It is about feeding, sleep and how you are doing.
Typical visits: 3 to 5 days, then about 1 month
On the Milestone Path
Where this stage sits.
The highlighted stops are the visits that belong to this stage. Select any stop to see its summary.
Newborn visit
Newborn (3 to 5 days)
What usually happens
Your clinician weighs your baby, checks feeding and looks your baby over from head to toe. There is time to talk through the first days at home.
What to bring
Hospital paperwork, a note of feeding times and wet diapers, and your questions.
Parents often ask about
Feeding, sleep, umbilical cord care, crying, and when to call us.
Immunisations commonly discussed
The first hepatitis B dose is often discussed if it was not given before you left the hospital.
Your clinician sets the plan that fits your child.
What usually happens
Your clinician weighs your baby, checks feeding and looks your baby over from head to toe. There is plenty of time to talk through the first days at home.
What to bring
Your hospital paperwork, a note of feeding times and wet diapers, and the questions you wrote down in the night.
Parents often ask about
Feeding, sleep, umbilical cord care, crying, and how often it is fine to call us.
Immunisations commonly discussed
The first hepatitis B dose is often discussed here if it was not given before you left the hospital.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your child’s clinician about your child. In an emergency, call your local emergency services.
The first weeks are a lot to learn at once. Most newborn visits are short, calm and mostly about you: how feeding is going, how much sleep anyone is getting and what feels hard.
Bring a partner or a relative if you like. A second pair of ears helps, and you are welcome to feed your baby during the visit.
