Five Things the Hospital Should Do With Your Newborn

February 2, 2010 by Katelyn Thomas
Filed under Babies & Toddlers

I don’t believe I even have to write this, but I’ve heard a few stories lately that made me realize that some new moms and their newborns are getting substandard care. They think that because they are on some form of medical assistance because they are unemployed or underemployed in today’s economy, they should be grateful for the care and not ask any questions. Sure, you should be grateful for good care, but asking questions if you feel uneasy and asking until you get a real answer is not being ungrateful. It is being proactive about your child’s well being. Your baby should get a good start in life.

Photo: SXC

Here are five things the hospital should do with your new baby to make sure it is getting the best start possible:

Check breathing – If you get a c-section, the doctor or nurse may need to do some suction or give oxygen to your baby. Checking your baby’s breathing is important.
Check reflexes – Doctors need to check quite a few of your baby’s reflexes to make sure he or she will be able to eat, sleep and do other things normally.
Get a weight – Your baby should be weighed at birth, but did you know the doctor or nurse should also weigh your little one right before the two of you check out of the hospital? This allows the doctor to be sure your baby is thriving.
Check limb circulation – This is very simple, but essential. You want to be sure the blood is flowing properly to all those little fingers and toes.
Examine anything that isn’t completely normal. A discolored hand the baby is holding a bit funny or slightly yellowed skin should be looked into by the doctor, not dismissed.

If the hospital doesn’t do those things, which are the bare minimum, start asking for them to get done. Ask until someone does them. And if you get too tired to keep asking, ask someone else to start asking for you. A good hospital will do those things when the baby is born and will do some of them, like checking weight and doing a quick exam to make sure everything looks okay, again before the baby goes home.