My Postnatal Care
A. When should I expect the test or appointment:
Within 72 hours of your baby's birth
What is the test or appointment called? :
Newborn and infant physical examinatrion - sometimes referred to as the NIPE or 1st Medical.
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
Within 72 hours of your baby's birth, a specially trained member of staff will perform the Newborn Infant and Physical Examination. This is a thorough check of your baby to see if she or he nees referring to any specialist Doctors or services.
The examination includes screening tests to find out if your baby has any problems with their eyes, heart, hips, and in boys, testicles (testes).
For full information on this check please fo to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
B. When should I expect the test or appointment:
0 days - 5 weeks. Either in hospital before you are discharged home or in the community by the time your baby is 5 weeks old.
What is the test or appointment called? :
Newborn hearing test
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you're discharged. Otherwise, it'll be done by a health professional, healthcare assistant or health visitor within the first few weeks.
You'll be contacted by your local newborn hearing screening service to arrange a suitable time and venue. Ideally, the test is done in the first 4 to 5 weeks, but it can be done at up to 3 months of age. For more information on this test, please go to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
C. When should I expect the test or appointment:
Day 0-3
What is the test or appointment called? :
First contact at home from a Midwife
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
If you are at home during this time you will usually have a contact from a Midwife to arrange your Postnatal care and to check you and baby are well. This contact usually occurs the day after you arrive home if you birthed in a hospital or in a birth centre. It might be a phone call or a face to face visit with a Midwife or Maternity Support Worker in your home. This will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. The Midwife who calls you will plan your next appointments with you.
D. When should I expect the test or appointment:
Day 5
What is the test or appointment called? :
Newborn Blood Spot Screening Test and Baby Check (may include baby weight)
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
Every baby is offered newborn blood spot screening, also known as the heel prick test, ideally when they’re 5 days old. Newborn blood spot screening involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has 1 of 9 rare but serious health conditions.
Most babies won't have any of these conditions but, for the few who do, the benefits of screening are enormous.
Early treatment can improve their health, and prevent severe disability or even death. If you would like further information on the conditions that are checked for or the way the test is carried out, please go to the following website by clicking here or watch a video by clicking here.
Your baby will also be checked over and might be weighed at this appointment by a member of the Maternity Team. This check-up may include baby's Mum being checked over.
E. When should I expect the test or appointment:
Day 10 - 28
What is the test or appointment called? :
Discharge to the Health Visitor
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
Your named Midwife will discharge you from Midwifery care and your contact for advice and support going forwards will be your Health Visitor and GP
F. When should I expect the test or appointment:
Day 10 - 14
What is the test or appointment called? :
Contact from the Health Visitor
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
Your Health Visitor will get in touch to arrange when your first appointment with them will be. You may have met them before you had your baby. You will be seen at home or in clinics to check on the health and development of your baby as well as your emotional health and to give advice on safety related to your baby.
G. When should I expect the test or appointment? :
6-8 week Mother and Baby check
What is the test or appointment called? :
Mother and Baby Check including a repeat of the newborn and infant physical examinatrion (NIPE) check
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
You should have your postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after your baby's birth to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly.
Your GP surgery is required to offer and provide you with a postnatal check following changes made in April 2020. You can request an appointment for a check yourself, especially if you have any concerns. It's a good idea to make a list of questions to take along with you.
Your postnatal check should be done with a GP. It can be done immediately before or after your baby's 6 to 8 week check. But it can also be done at a separate time if you would like it to be.
H. When should I expect the test or appointment? :
0 - 42 Days
What is the test or appointment called?
Registering Baby's Birth
What will happen during the test or appointment? :
You must book this appointment yourself before attending the Registrar’s office.
Appointments can be booked online or over the telephone. Further information on registering a birth of a baby born in Hampshire ( including information for those born in Portsmouth or Southampton) is available by clicking here.
For babies born in Dorset, further information is available by clicking here.
For babies born in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, further information is available by clicking here.
For babies born on the Isle of Wight, further information is available by clicking here
What are the tests and checks you can expect after having a baby?
The following grid shows all the routine appointments you should be offered in the first six weeks after having a baby. You might have additional appointments offered to you based on specific conditions or needs that you or your baby has. Please note these are the minimum appointments/contacts you should expect.
If you do not receive one or more of these appointments please contact the Community Postnatal Coordinator for your area immediately.You will be given the Postnatal Community Coordinator’s telephone number when you are discharge home.
When should you worry?
Newborn
NEWBORN
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is newborn and they…
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm into their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You may also find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy, or have floppy arms or legs when awake
- Move their arms and legs in repetitive jerky movements, or writhing movements
- Don’t have a Grasp Reflex (doesn’t grab your finger or small object when you put it in their hand)
- Are often startling and you cannot understand why
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Rarely moves one of their arms compared to the other arm
- Rarely moves one leg compared to the other leg
- When your baby startles, one side moves or looks different from the other
6-8 weeks
6-8 WEEKS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 6-8 weeks and they…
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm into their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You may also find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy, or have floppy arms or legs when awake
- Move their arms and legs in repetitive jerky movements, or writhing movements
- Have not started to bring both their hands to their face, or do not move their arms much
- Keep their hands fisted, and you find it difficult to open their hands
- Can’t lift their head when lying on their tummy
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Mostly moves one arm or mostly brings one hand to their face
- Rarely kicks or moves one leg compared to the other leg
2-3 months
2-3 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 2-3 months and they…
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm into their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You may also find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy, or have floppy arms or legs when awake
- Move their arms and legs in repetitive jerky movements, or writhing movements
- Have not started to bring both their hands to their face, or do not move their arms much
- Keep their hands fisted, and you find it difficult to open their hands
- Can’t lift their head when lying on their tummy
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Mostly moves one arm or mostly brings one hand to their face
- Rarely kicks or moves one leg compared to the other leg
3-4 months
3-4 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 3-4 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when awake
- Prefer to keep their arms by their sides. For example, they do not reach for things, or do not bring their hands together over their face or tummy
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Still need you to support their head, or can’t lift their head when lying on their tummy
- Have very tight fists and it’s hard to open their hand
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys
- Rarely kick one leg compared to the other
4-6 months
4-6 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 4-6 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when they are awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys
- Rarely kick one leg compared to the other
- Are unable to roll, or can roll in one direction but not the other
- Find it difficult to reach their arms out. For example, they do not reach for toys
- Still have their early reflexes, like the startle reflex and grasp reflex
- Keep their legs flat when lying on their back. For example, they do not bring their feet to their chest
- Still need you to support their head
6-9 months
6-9 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 6-9 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when they are awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky or strange ways
- Move one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys, or eat and drink
- Rarely kick one leg compared to the other
- Can’t sit without support. For example, they lean on their hand, or, when they sit, their back is very curved
- Still have their early reflexes, like the startle reflex and grasp reflex
- Keep their legs flat when lying on their back, for example, do not bring their feet to their chest
- Still need you to support their head
- Still need you to help turn their head when lying on their back
- Can’t crawl, or find it hard, for example, drags one of their legs behind them
- Find it difficult to stand, for example:
- Can’t stand with support
- Doesn’t try to pull themselves up to stand
- Can’t move a toy from one hand to the other
- Doesn’t use both hands to hold larger things
9-12 months
9-12 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 9-12 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when they are awake
- Move their arms and legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Use one arm to pull to stand more than the other
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys, or eat and drink.
- Rarely kick one leg compared to the other
- Find it difficult to sit, for example:
- Only sit with support
- Lean on their hand when sitting
- When they sit their back is very curved
- Can’t move a toy from one hand to the other
- Don’t use both hands to hold larger things
- Don’t point to objects
- Can’t crawl, or find it hard, for example, drags one leg behind them
- Find it difficult to stand, for example:
- Can’t pull themselves up to stand
- Find it hard to pull themselves up. For example, they only use their arms and don’t push with their legs
- Can’t stand with support
2 months
Your Baby By Two Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Looks at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
- Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
Language/Communication Milestones
- Makes sounds other than crying
- Reacts to loud sounds
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Holds head up when on tummy
- Moves both arms and both legs
- Opens hands briefly
4 months
Your Baby By Four Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Smiles on his own to get your attention
- Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
Language/Communication Milestones
- Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
- Makes sounds back when you talk to him
- Turns head towards the sound of your voice
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
- If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
- Looks at her hands with interest
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Holds head steady without support when you are holding him
- Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
- Uses his arm to swing at toys
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
6 months
Your Baby By Six Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at self in a mirror
- Laughs
Language/Communication Milestones
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
- Makes squealing noises
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Puts things in her mouth to explore them
- Reaches to grab a toy she wants
- Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
- Leans on hands to support herself when sitting
9 months
Your Baby By Nine Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
- Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
- Looks when you call her name
- Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
- Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
Language/Communication Milestones
- Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
- Lifts arms up to be picked up
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
- Bangs two things together
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Gets to a sitting position by herself
- Moves things from one hand to her other hand
- Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
- Sits without support
1 year
Your Baby By One Year
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Language/Communication Milestones
- Waves “bye-bye”
- Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
- Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Pulls up to stand
- Walks, holding on to furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
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