At home with your baby

Your first visit is usually at home. At this visit, the midwife will: 

• explain what postnatal checks you and your baby will have, and where they will take place. 
• talk about feeding support in your area. 
• give you information about important warning signs for you and your baby, and who to call if you are worried. 
• discuss jaundice (yellowing of your baby’s skin, eyes or mouth), what to look out for and how to respond. 
• remind you about registering your baby’s birth, registering with a GP, and booking your 6–8 week check. 
• talk about safe sleeping, coping with crying, and when to seek help if your baby is unwell 

After your first appointment, most visits will take place in the maternity hub, although this may vary depending on the care you need.  

At every visit, staff will check your baby’s health and feeding, and talk with you about your recovery and wellbeing. If any concerns arise, a midwife will review you or your baby and arrange extra care if needed. 

You will usually have an appointment on day 5, where: 

• your baby will be offered a newborn blood spot test  
• your baby will be weighed 
• a repeat hearing screen will be offered if needed 

Around day 10, if everything is well, your midwife will hand over your care to the health visitor. From this point, the health visitor becomes your main contact for support with feeding, screening and emotional wellbeing. Your local health visitor will usually be in touch before this to arrange your first appointment. 

The NHS Healthier Together app helps you decide what care your child needs when they are unwell. If you are unsure whether to stay at home, see your GP, or go to hospital, the app will guide you step by step. 

The app has: 

• NHS traffic light symptom checker
• advice on how long a child's symptoms may last
• signposting to local support services

Register your baby with a GP as soon as possible. This makes sure they can get care quickly if they need it. Your GP surgery will tell you what form to complete. You do not need to register your baby’s birth first. 

Your GP can still see you or your baby before registration, but it is best to register early to avoid any delays. 

All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days. 

You will need to go to a register office in the area where your baby was born. There are usually a few offices in each area, so you can choose the one that is most convenient for you. 

When searching for the right office, use:  

• GU16 7UJ if your baby was born at Frimley Park Hospital 
• SL2 4HL if your baby was born at Wexham Park Hospital 
• your home postcode if your baby was born at home 

You and your baby should both have a health check with your GP when your baby is 6-8 weeks old. This should be booked as a double appointment to make sure there is enough time to check you and your baby.

At this appointment: 

• your baby will have another full examination, called the NIPE (Newborn and Infant Physical Examination), to check their eyes, heart, hips and testes (for boys). 
• your GP will check how you are recovering physically and emotionally after the birth. And discuss contraception with you.

Your baby’s first vaccinations are also due around this time. These are usually given by the practice nurse, not the GP. Ask your surgery when you book whether the check and vaccinations can be arranged on the same day, to save you making two visits.