What to Expect from Newborn Screening and Check-ups in the First Days

Why the first days involve so many checks

It can feel like a lot happens in a short space of time after your baby arrives. Between feeding, settling in, and getting used to a completely new routine, there are also various checks and screening offers woven through those early days. This is simply part of how postnatal care is organised in the UK, with routine attention paid to both you and your baby in the weeks after birth.

None of this is about looking for problems where none exist. It's a structured way of making sure any concerns are picked up early, so support can be offered sooner rather than later. Knowing roughly what to expect can make the process feel a lot less overwhelming.

What a newborn check-up usually involves

In the first days, your baby will typically be seen by a midwife or doctor for a general check, and you'll usually be given information about further screening offered in the early weeks. Exactly what's included, and when, can vary a little depending on where you are and your baby's individual circumstances, so it's worth asking your midwife directly what to expect for your baby rather than assuming it will look identical for everyone.

These check-ups are also a natural moment to raise anything you've noticed or wondered about, whether that's feeding, sleep, or something about how your baby looks or behaves. You don't need to save your questions up for a later appointment.

• A general physical check by a midwife or doctor in the first day or so
• A conversation about feeding and how it's going
• Information about additional screening tests offered in the first days and weeks
• A weight check, usually explained in the context of feeding rather than as a standalone measure
• An opportunity to ask about anything unfamiliar or worrying

Getting to know how your baby looks in these first days

Newborns often look a little different from the images we hold in our heads beforehand, and that's completely normal. Many parents have questions about things like their baby's umbilical cord stump, how much a newborn can actually see, or why their genitals appear swollen. These are common, everyday questions rather than signs that something is wrong.

You also don't need to bathe your baby fully in the first few days. Many parents prefer to gently wash the face, neck, hands and bottom instead, sometimes called topping and tailing, choosing a moment when your baby is awake and settled, in a warm room, with everything you need close at hand.

Questions worth asking your midwife or health visitor

Appointments in the first days can go quickly, so it can help to have a short list ready. There are no silly questions here, and asking early often saves worry later.

• What checks and screening will my baby be offered in the first days and weeks?
• Who do I contact if I have a question between now and our next appointment?
• What does normal newborn appearance and behaviour look like at this stage?
• How will I hear about the results of any screening, and when?
• Is there anything specific to my baby's birth or feeding that I should keep an eye on?

When to trust your instincts and seek help

You will get to know your baby's normal appearance and behaviour very quickly, and that instinct is worth trusting. If something feels off, even if you can't quite put your finger on why, it's completely reasonable to contact your midwife, GP, health visitor, or maternity triage rather than waiting to see if it passes. They are best placed to look at your baby specifically and talk things through with you.

This article can only offer general information, not guidance on your individual baby, so any specific worry about symptoms, feeding, or wellbeing is always worth raising directly with a health professional rather than trying to work it out alone.

What continues after the first days

Screening and check-ups don't stop once you're home. A health visitor usually offers a new baby review at home around ten days after birth, and from there you'll have access to child health clinics run by health visitors and GPs, offering ongoing reviews and vaccinations as your baby grows.

It's also worth registering your baby with a GP as early as possible, so you have somewhere to turn quickly if you ever need to. Further along, there's a separate postnatal check, usually around six weeks, which looks at how both you and your baby are doing. If you'd like a broader look at common questions new parents ask in these early weeks, our wider newborn guide on the Bump Circle journal (/blog) is a good place to browse next.