Your Baby's 3- to 5-Day Checkup

Checkups are a way to make sure your baby is growing properly and help you find out if there are any health problems. After the visit, make an appointment for your baby's 1-month checkup.

• Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger. Signs that your baby is hungry include smacking the lips, making sucking motions, looking around for your breast or the bottle, or crying.

• Pay attention to signs that your baby is full, such as turning away from the nipple or bottle and closing their mouth.

• For breastfed babies:

  • Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger, which probably will be 8–12 times a day.

  • Follow your health care provider's advice for giving your baby any vitamins.

• For formula-fed babies:

  • Offer your baby about 2–3 ounces (60–90 ml) of formula every 2–4 hours.

  • Always hold your baby and the bottle when feeding. Don't prop the bottle.

  • Don't give your baby low-iron formula.

  • Don't add extra water to your baby's formula.

• Don't give your baby solid foods (such as baby cereal) or juice unless the health care provider recommends it.

• By the time babies are a week old, they should have about 6 wet diapers a day.

• Breastfed babies may poop many times per day, only once a week, or anywhere in between. Formula-fed babies usually poop at least once per day. As long as the poop is soft and your baby seems well, don't worry about how often your little one poops.

• Newborns may sleep 14 to 17 hours or more in 24 hours. They usually only sleep a few hours at a time.

• Put your baby in the crib when they're sleepy but not yet asleep. This helps babies learn to fall asleep on their own.

• To help prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome):

  • Be sure your baby always sleeps on their back.

  • Put your baby in a crib or bassinet that meets all safety standards. Never put wedges, sleep positioners, pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys in the crib or bassinet.

  • Keep the crib or bassinet in the room where you sleep. Don't have your baby sleep in bed with you.

  • Breastfeed your baby, if possible.

  • Give your baby a pacifier at naptime and bedtime. If your baby is breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before using a pacifier.

  • Don't let your baby get too hot while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. Don't put too many clothes on your baby and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating.

  • If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, sling, or baby carrier, move them to the crib or bassinet as soon as possible.

  • Don't let anyone smoke around your baby.

  • Make sure everyone who cares for your baby follows these safe sleep practices.

• Talk, read, sing, and play with your baby every day.

• It's normal for babies to be fussy at times, especially in the first 2–3 months. Babies usually cry less when they reach 3 or 4 months of age.

• Try these ways to calm your baby:

  • Rock or hold your baby while you walk.

  • Sing or play music.

  • Turn on a fan or other calming noise.

  • Give your baby a pacifier.

• In the car, put your baby in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on installing and using the car seat, or go to a child safety seat check.

• Take an infant first aid/CPR class.

• To prevent burns, set your hot water heater lower than 120ºF (48ºC).

• Put smoke and carbon monoxide alarms near all sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

• When using a changing table, keep a hand on your baby and use the safety buckle.

• To protect your baby from the sun, keep your baby in the shade and cover the skin with clothing. It's best not to use sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months old, but you may use a small amount if shade and clothing don't give enough protection.

• If you are ever worried that you will hurt your baby, put your baby in the crib or bassinet for a few minutes and call a friend, a relative, or your health care provider for help. Never shake your baby — it can cause bleeding in the brain and even death.

• Get all immunizations and tests that your baby's health care provider recommends.

• Wash your hands before touching your baby and have others do the same. Keep your baby away from people who are sick.

• After feedings, clean your baby's gums with a wet, clean washcloth or piece of gauze.

• Keep the diaper below the umbilical stump (belly button) so the stump can dry and fall off. It usually falls off in about 10–14 days, but it can take up to 8 weeks.

• For circumcised boys, put petroleum jelly on the penis so it does not stick to the diaper.

• Girls may have vaginal discharge (sometimes with a small amount of blood) during the first week of life. This is nothing to worry about.

• Give sponge baths using fragrance-free soap until the umbilical stump falls off and, for a baby boy, the circumcision heals. After the umbilical stump falls off, you can bathe your baby a few times a week in a sink or infant tub lined with a towel. Always keep your eyes and a hand on your baby during a bath.

• Your health care provider can tell you about help that is available in the community or through a social worker. Talk to your health care provider if you're worried that:

  • You don't have enough food for your baby.

  • You don't have a safe place to live.

  • You don't have health insurance.

  • You have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

• Call your health care provider if your baby:

  • has a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher (taken in your baby's bottom)

  • is not eating well

  • vomits (throws up) more than a few times in a 24-hour period or has green vomit

  • has hard, dry poop or trouble pooping

  • has skin that looks yellow

  • has redness or pus around the umbilical cord or circumcision