Ten questions about your newborn baby's first week

New parents have plenty of questions about newborn babies. Be prepared by talking to your doctor.

Bringing a new baby home is an exciting -- and overwhelming -- experience. No matter how prepared you are, you are bound to have many questions about your newborn.

It helps if you have some idea of what issues come up and how to deal with them. Before your baby's birth, or before you leave the hospital, go over this list of questions about newborn baby care with your paediatrician or midwife.

1. How can I protect my baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)/ cot death?

Experts in newborn care say the best way to protect babies from SIDS is to always put them down to sleep on their backs. Ask your doctor or midwife about other steps you can take to reduce your baby's risk.

2. Will my baby and I bond right away, and what should I do if we don't?

Many parents worry if they are not overwhelmed by adoration at the first sight of their newborn baby. Try to be patient when it comes to bonding. These early days are not easy -- for you or your child -- and it will take a while to get to know each other. Talk to your doctor or midwife about what to expect.

3. When will my newborn have her first physical exam after we leave the hospital? What will happen at that first check-up?

After a baby is born they are given two thorough physical checks. The first full examination should take place within 72 hours of birth (this is usually done before the baby leaves hospital unless, of course, it was a home birth) and the second will be carried out at six to eight weeks. These examinations aim to detect any health conditions or abnormalities, so that further investigations or treatment can be given as soon as possible.

Your baby’s hearing will also be checked soon after birth, while a range of vaccinations are offered at the second check (at about two months).  All these checks are carried out by a doctor or nurse who has been specifically trained to do so.

At some point in the first few days after birth, your midwife will ask to take a sample of blood from your baby's heel, to test for a number of rare but serious inherited conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. This is known as a blood spot screening test..

4. How should I care for my baby's umbilical cord stump?

Your doctor or midwife can give you detailed directions for caring for your newborn's umbilical stump and, if they have been circumcised, the circumcision area too. They can also advise you what to watch for in terms of infection.