Those 9 months of longing, to see and hold the baby, get over in a jiffy when your little one is born. You will welcome your baby by cuddling and holding them close to you.
Whereas in a hospital, the team doctors and nurses have a different way of welcoming the little one, which starts with some essential tests and checkups, to make sure your baby is doing fine.
Here is what your newborn baby gets soon after they are born in a hospital.
1. Vitamin K Shot
Vitamin K pricks are necessary for your baby since they are born with insufficient quantities of the vitamin in their body. Vitamin K prevents the risk of internal bleeding as it promotes blood clotting.
These shots will cover your kid’s back until they are 6 months old and start receiving the essential vitamin from food.
Though some parents do choose to refuse the shot, the doctors recommend taking them to avoid any risks of hemorrhage in future.
2. Hearing Screening Test
The test is a painless way to determine whether the baby’s hearing senses are working well. It can be performed even when your baby is sound asleep, which is the case most of the times. Though the test could be performed any time before the baby is 1-month-old, doctors advise to do it before leaving the hospital.
Sometimes, because of the fluid present on the ear from the delivery, your baby may fail the test. A full-hearing test is conducted to rule that out.
3. Their First Bath
When your baby is taken to the nursery, they are given a sponge bath to wash away the blood and placental fluids. You will notice the typical baby smell once they are brought back to you for feeding—plus, your baby is all clean and ready to be cuddled again.
However, you can also ask the hospital staff to delay your baby’s first bath to give you both some more time to spend together.
4. Antibiotic Eye Drops
Your baby will receive antibiotic eye drops soon after birth—this is to ensure the little one doesn’t contract any sexually transmitted disease during vaginal birth—which could cause serious eye infections and even permanent blindness.
You might question this protective measure—since you are sure, you don’t have any STD, how is it that you pass it to your baby? The procedure has been made mandatory as the disease is a public health issue.
The eye drops may make your baby’s eyes blurry, but they don’t hurt them or cause any harm.
5. Baby Basics
Your baby will return from nursery with some baby basics. He/she will be dressed in an adorable infant bodysuit, swaddled in a soft baby blanket and their heads will be covered in cute baby caps. They may also get a little pacifier (not to be sucked on before starting to breastfeed),
Some hospitals may even allow you to take these cute baby things home.
6. Security Sensor
Every baby born in the hospital will receive a security sensor, which will stay gently wrapped around their ankles until they are ready to be taken home.
The purpose of these sensors is to prevent the babies from getting stolen—yes, you read that right. The sensor buzzes an alarm whenever the baby is taken out of the maternity ward.
7. Birth Certificate
This is the last and the most significant thing that your baby will receive before you leave with them for home. You need to enter your baby’s name on all the papers if you have decided one, the hospital will provide you the birth certificate and a social security number for baby.
If the baby’s name isn’t yet finalized, you will have to file for a birth certificate yourself.
Take Away
The nurses may also offer you to take baby products like diapers, wipes, formula, and pacifiers for your convenience in the first few days after you get home. Consider these babies goodies as generous gifts—you will know why in the coming days.
