Newborn & Infant Care: Expert Guidance for Your Baby's First Year
The first year is a whirlwind of milestones and questions. From deciphering your baby’s cues to managing those 3 AM worries, we provide the medical expertise and emotional support you need to navigate these first 12 months with confidence.
The APGAR score is your baby's very first health test, performed moments after birth. It's a quick, simple assessment that helps our team understand how well your baby is transitioning to life outside the womb. This initial check is the first step in our comprehensive newborn care protocol.
The APGAR test measures five key signs to assess a newborn's health: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex response), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Each is scored to give a clear picture of your baby's condition right after delivery.
Performed at one and five minutes after birth, the APGAR score is a vital tool for our neonatal team. It allows us to quickly identify if a baby needs immediate respiratory support or other medical attention, ensuring a safe and healthy start.
As our Senior Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Dr. Rajiv Aggarwal, explains, a baby's first cry is reassuring but not the only sign of health. Our team uses the Apgar score and other clinical observations to assess a newborn's well-being, providing peace of mind for new parents.
What if your newborn doesn't cry at birth? This is a common worry, but often not a cause for alarm. A smooth C-section, prematurity, or mucus in the airway can delay crying. Our doctors assess breathing, skin color, and muscle tone to determine if any intervention is needed.
Newborn jaundice, or Kaamala, is a common and usually natural process as a baby's liver matures. In this video, our paediatrician Dr. Saranya Manikraj explains why it happens, what the bilirubin levels mean, and how we treat it with phototherapy when necessary, ensuring your baby remains safe and healthy.
Delayed umbilical cord clamping is a practice we support when appropriate, as it allows nutrient-rich blood to transfer from the placenta to the newborn. This can increase iron reserves and improve cardiovascular stability, giving your baby physiological advantages right from birth.
About this collection
Navigating the first year often leaves parents wondering if they are doing everything right—whether it’s managing newborn jaundice, understanding why your baby does not cry immediately after birth, or setting up a safe sleep environment. We handle these routine assessments and concerns daily, helping you distinguish between typical developmental stages and signs that require a paediatrician's attention.
Understanding the First Year
The newborn phase is about more than just feeding and sleeping. It is the beginning of your child's immune journey, starting with screenings like the Apgar score—which assesses your baby’s transition to the world—and ongoing vaccination schedules. Our paediatricians prioritize evidence-based care, from supporting delayed umbilical cord clamping to offering phototherapy for jaundice.
Why Expertise Matters
You will likely face plenty of advice from friends and family. While tradition has its place, your baby’s medical health requires clinical precision. Whether you are curious about the benefits of Kangaroo Care for stabilizing heart rates or looking for safe swaddling techniques that prevent hip dysplasia, our team translates complex medical guidelines into actionable, daily habits.
When to Seek Help
We believe in proactive care. Our paediatric team handles common concerns—colic, diaper rash, and fever management—with a focus on personal care. You do not have to wait until an emergency to connect with us. From newborn metabolic screening to routine milestone reviews, we ensure you have a partner who understands the difference between a natural developmental hurdle and a condition that needs professional intervention.
Motherhood Hospitals
We believe raising a child shouldn't feel like a solo mission. Our paediatricians and neonatologists act as your extended support system, offering the perfect balance of science-backed medical advice and the kind of reassurance you'd get from a family member who just happens to be an expert.
Still have questions about your baby's health?
Search for specific conditions or care tips to find expert advice.
More from Paediatrics by Motherhood Hospitals