Hospital Care for Newborns: What Parents Need to Know

Immediate Post-Birth Procedures (APGAR, Vitamin K, Eye Care)

Your baby's first few hours after birth include several important medical procedures that safeguard their health. Medical staff performs three vital interventions right after delivery.

The Apgar score helps doctors check your newborn's condition at one and five minutes after birth. The medical team reviews five key factors:

• Appearance: Baby's skin colour that indicates oxygen levels

• Pulse: Heart rate (this is a big deal as it means that 100 beats per minute)

• Grimace: How your baby responds to stimulation

• Activity: Your baby's muscle tone and movement

• Respiration: Your baby's breathing and crying

Each category gets a score from 0-2, adding up to a total between 0-10. A score between 7-9 shows your baby is healthy. Scores below 7 mean your baby might need extra medical care.

Your baby gets a vitamin K shot in their upper thigh. This prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which can be life-threatening. Newborns have very low vitamin K levels at birth. A single shot protects them through their first six months of life.

The medical team also applies antibiotic eye ointment or drops. This treatment protects your newborn from bacterial infections during birth that could cause blindness if left untreated.

These early procedures create a strong foundation for your newborn's care.

Newborn Feeding Practices in the Hospital (Breastfeeding, Formula)

Newborn feeding is the cornerstone of essential baby care, and hospitals shape healthy patterns from day one. Global health authorities recommend starting breastfeeding within an hour after birth. This quick start shields newborns from infections and helps reduce death rates.

The medical team at hospitals helps mothers breastfeed using tested techniques:

• Skin-to-skin contact right after delivery to make natural feeding responses easier

• Rooming-in keeps mothers and babies together all day, so babies can feed when they need to

• Proper positioning places babies in semi-reclined or upright positions instead of lying flat

Healthcare teams teach mothers the right latch techniques and avoid giving formula unless doctors say it's needed.

Hospitals take equal care with formula-fed babies. The team must mix the formula with the right amount of water.

Monitoring Vital Signs and Early Health Screening

Careful monitoring in hospitals is essential for newborn care. Hospital staff watch key health indicators to spot problems on. The following are important vital measurements:

• Temperature: Normal range of 97-98.6°F (36.1°C to 37°C)

• Heart rate: Typically 120 to 160 beats per minute

• Breathing rate: Usually 40 to 60 breaths per minute

• Blood pressure: Normally 60-80 (systolic) and 30-45 (diastolic)

• Oxygen saturation: Should be 95% to 100% on room air

Regular checks of these measurements help medical staff predict serious conditions like sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, and brain injury. Advanced monitoring systems can also alert caregivers about subtle changes they might miss otherwise.

Common Newborn Tests and Vaccinations

Screening tests and vaccinations are the foundations of hospital newborn care. These preventive measures help protect your baby's future health.

Essential Newborn Screening Tests

Original Vaccinations

These early vaccinations begin your baby's immunisation experience. Your baby will receive many more vaccines at 6-8 weeks, including DTaP, Hib, and rotavirus.

Screening helps detect and treat rare but serious conditions quickly. Vaccinations protect your little one from potentially deadly diseases.

Bathing, Hygiene, and Umbilical Cord Care

Newborn hygiene is a vital part of a baby's hospital experience. The World Health Organisation recommends waiting at least 24 hours after birth for the first bath. This delay helps maintain your baby's temperature, keeps skin moisturised, prevents hypothermia, and supports successful breastfeeding.

Doctors will only wipe your baby clean and dry until their first bath. They use plain water without cleansers when bathing begins. Your newborn needs a bath just once or twice weekly since frequent bathing can dry their delicate skin.

Your baby's umbilical cord care has one main goal - keeping it dry and clean. Here's what you need to know:

• Don't apply ointments or alcohol to the cord stump

• Fold the diaper below the cord to prevent urine contact

• Clean any dirt near the cord area gently with water and let it air dry

Your baby's umbilical stump should fall off within 5-15 days. Look out for these infection signs:

• Foul-smelling yellow discharge

• Redness or swelling around the base

• Continued bleeding after the cord falls off

Call your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms or if the cord stays attached longer than three weeks.

Safe Sleep Practices in the Hospital

Your baby's sleep position in the hospital plays a crucial role in preventing sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID). These sleep-related deaths are the biggest problem causing infant mortality in the first year.

The medical team places babies on their backs whenever they sleep. Babies who sleep on their backs (supine position) have a much lower SIDS risk compared to side or tummy positions.

The ABCs of safe sleep taught in hospitals include:

• Alone – No sharing sleep surfaces with others

• Back – Always placing the baby on their back

• Crib – Using a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet only

Hospitals recommend keeping your baby in your room but not in your bed. This setup keeps your baby close and reduces SIDS risk by a lot.

Identifying Early Signs of Health Issues

Your newborn's health needs careful observation. Parents often notice subtle changes first, and your watchful eye plays a vital part in your baby's care.

These warning signs require immediate medical attention:

• Feeding problems - Poor appetite, weak sucking or refusal to feed

• Breathing concerns - Breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute, blue colouring, or grunting sounds

• Temperature changes - A rectal temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) or below 97.5°F (36.5°C)

• Unusual behaviour - Crying or irritability that doesn't improve with cuddles, unusual sleepiness, or trouble waking up

• Umbilical cord issues - Odour, drainage, bleeding, swelling, or foul smell

• Jaundice - Yellowing skin that spreads to chest, arms, legs, or whites of the eyes

• Elimination problems - No urination for 24 hours or no bowel movement for 48 hours

• Vomiting - This needs attention especially when you have yellow or green colour

Your parental instincts matter. Each baby is different, so you should contact your doctor about anything that worries you.

Note that some babies might not show clear symptoms like fever. They might appear lethargic, feed poorly, or show reduced activity instead. Doctors will help you identify these significant warning signs during your hospital stay.

Role of Parents and Caregivers During Hospital Stay

Parents are vital partners in a newborn's hospital experience. Research shows that when parents get involved, they see amazing benefits—higher breastfeeding rates, increased weight gain, earlier hospital discharge, better neurodevelopment, and less parental stress and anxiety.

Skin-to-skin contact from parents helps babies adapt from womb to world. This contact strengthens bonding and increases milk production. Hospitals now encourage parents to take part in:

• Feeding and tracking – Recording breastfeeding sessions or formula amounts

• Simple care – Changing nappies, bathing, and dressing their little ones

• Medication administration – Giving oral medications under nursing supervision

• Decision-making – Adding their observations during medical rounds

Clean hands with soap are necessary before touching any newborn. Active involvement helps parents learn skills that reduce their worries about caring for their baby after going home.

The hospital stay is a perfect time to learn—a practice run for the lifelong parenting experience ahead.

Preparing for Discharge: Home Care Guidelines

Your baby's arrival marks the beginning of an amazing experience filled with joy and challenges. Those first few weeks need extra attention, especially during your hospital stay. Working with doctors helps build a strong base for your baby's health.

Learning proper bathing techniques and umbilical cord care at the hospital gives you confidence at home. Hospital staff teach safe sleep practices that can save lives when used at home. You'll also learn warning signs that give you the ability to seek help quickly if needed.

Your role as parents starts the moment your baby arrives. Every diaper change, feeding session, and cuddle during your hospital stay prepares you for the future. Your doctors' guidance acts as essential training for your new role as a parent. Your hospital stay might seem overwhelming, but it provides a safe place to ask questions, learn new skills, and address your concerns. By the time you go home, you'll feel more confident, informed, and ready to care for your little one with love and assurance.

FAQs

1. What procedures are done for newborns in the hospital?

   Standard newborn care has these key procedures:

   • APGAR evaluation at one and five minutes after birth

   • Vitamin K injection to prevent bleeding problems

   • Antibiotic eye ointment to prevent infections

   • First hepatitis B vaccine

   • Newborn screening tests

   • Weight, length and head circumference measurements

   • Temperature and vital sign checks

2. How soon after birth should a baby be fed?

   Babies need their first feeding within an hour of birth. They should eat every 1-3 hours. Skin-to-skin contact right after birth helps create good breastfeeding patterns. Newborns who take formula usually need about 1-1½ ounces (30-45 ml) at each feeding.

3. What vaccinations are given to newborns in the hospital?

   Newborns typically receive:

   • Hepatitis B vaccine in their first 24 hours (first of three doses)

   • RSV immunisation during RSV season (fall through spring) if they're younger than 8 months

4. How is a newborn's health monitored in the first few days?

   Medical staff regularly check the baby's:

   • Temperature, heart rate and breathing rate

   • Feeding habits and diaper changes

   • Weight fluctuations

   • Jaundice levels

   • Umbilical cord healing

   • Overall health signs

5. When is it safe to bathe a newborn in the hospital?

   The World Health Organisation suggests waiting 24 hours before giving the first bath. This delay helps babies maintain body temperature, keeps their skin from drying out, and can make breastfeeding easier.

6. How are newborns screened for health issues in the hospital?

   Newborn screening consists of:

   • Blood tests to check for rare genetic and metabolic conditions

   • Hearing tests using tiny earphones

   • Heart screening (pulse oximetry) to measure oxygen levels

7. What is the role of parents in newborn hospital care?

   Parents make a crucial difference through:

   • Skin-to-skin contact

   • Watching their baby for changes

   • Learning proper feeding methods

   • Comforting their baby during procedures

   • Taking part in basic care

8. How is the umbilical cord cared for in the hospital?

   The medical team keeps the cord stump clean and dry.

   • You should fold the diaper below the cord to avoid urine contact.

   • You should keep an eye for signs of infection like unusual odour, redness, or discharge.

   • Most cord stumps fall off naturally within 1-3 weeks after birth.

9. What should parents know before taking their newborn home?

   Hospitals help parents prepare for discharge by:

   • Setting up the first paediatrician appointment within 1-3 days

   • Completing newborn blood tests, hearing checks, and heart screenings

   • Giving RSV and Hepatitis B vaccines

   Most families head home after 2-3 days for natural births, while C-section recoveries need more time.

10. How do hospitals ensure newborn safety and hygiene?

    Hospitals follow strict protocols such as:

    • Properly sanitised neonatal care equipment

    • Teaching proper hand sanitisation to visitors and staff

    • Limited visitor access to prevent infection

    • Skilled workers watch babies all day and night

    • Quick health checks and vaccinations

    • Training staff about safe sleep and security procedures