Baby's Care in the Hospital

Healthy babies born in a vaginal delivery are usually able to stay with the mother. In many cases, immediate newborn evaluations are performed right in the mother's room.

Because babies born by cesarean may have difficulty clearing some of the lung fluid and mucus, extra suctioning of the nose, mouth, and throat are often needed.

A newborn baby is wet from the amniotic fluid and can easily become cold. Drying the baby and using warm blankets and heat lamps can help prevent heat loss. Often a knitted hat is placed on the baby's head.