Just after your baby is born, your medical team will do a heel prick test to screen for several diseases and will also test your baby’s hearing.
What is the heel prick test for?
Newborn screening is a small but important step in protecting your baby’s health. With a simple heel prick to obtain a few drops of blood, babies are screened for disorders that are not apparent immediately after delivery. Some of these disorders are genetic, metabolic, blood, or hormone-related [5]. In the U.S., each state determines which diseases are included in the test while following national guidelines.
Once the blood sample is tested, the baby’s parents and doctors will be notified of any issues so further tests and treatments can proceed. Few babies will test positive for these conditions, but for the few who do [1], knowing about them soon and providing early treatment can make an enormous difference.
When is the baby’s hearing checked?
Ideally, your baby’s hearing will be checked before you leave the hospital, or within the first month of life. Hearing tests are simple, quick, and pain-free. If your baby does not pass the initial test, a full hearing test should be performed within the first three months [2].
When is the baby’s vision checked?
At birth, your baby’s vision is still developing, so tests are done until they are about six months old [3, 4]. Your optometrist will test for several things, including nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, eye movement ability, and eye alignment. They will also check the overall health of your baby’s eyes.
What other doctors do I need to see after my baby is born?
After seeing your pediatrician in the hospital, you should schedule your baby’s first wellness check-ups with them. Though every pediatrician’s office is a little different, the first visit will usually be three to five days after birth, and then on a recommended schedule. During these initial visits, the doctor will weigh and measure your baby to make sure they are growing and developing well, which is particularly important in the first few days and weeks after birth.
