Newborn care
The first weeks raise a lot of questions. Dr. Bilal helps you settle in with careful newborn checks and clear answers.
What happens at a newborn visit
Dr. Bilal starts by listening. He asks about the pregnancy, the birth, how feeding is going and anything that is worrying you. Then he examines your baby from head to toe, checking the heart, breathing, hips, eyes, skin color, cord and reflexes.
Your baby's weight, length and head size are plotted on a growth chart so you can see progress at every visit. Before you leave, you will know what is normal, what to watch for and when to come back.
Common newborn concerns
Jaundice
Yellow skin is common in the first week. Dr. Bilal checks how far the yellow color has spread and orders a bilirubin test when needed. He will tell you clearly if your baby needs phototherapy or just closer watching.
Feeding and latching
Breastfeeding does not always come easily. He looks at positioning and latch, talks through feeding patterns, and helps with formula choices when breastfeeding is not possible or needs support.
Weight gain
Babies usually lose some weight in the first days and should be back to birth weight by around two weeks. Slow gain is followed up closely so that small problems are caught early.
Crying, colic and sleep
Evening crying, gas, spitting up and short sleep stretches are normal in many babies. He helps you tell normal fussiness from signs of reflux, cow's milk protein allergy or infection.
Cord, skin and nappy care
Simple advice on keeping the cord clean and dry, bathing, rashes and nappy care, so you are not guessing at home.
Babies who were in the NICU
Dr. Bilal has years of experience looking after sick and premature babies in the NICU. If your baby was born early or needed special care, he will plan follow up for growth, feeding, vaccines and development at the right corrected age.
Bring your baby to the emergency right away if:
- Temperature is 38°C or higher
- Breathing is fast, noisy or your baby is working hard to breathe
- Your baby is very floppy, very sleepy or will not feed
- Jaundice started in the first 24 hours or the palms and soles look yellow
- Green vomit, or repeated forceful vomiting
Book a newborn check
Call or WhatsApp 0333 6159293. Bring the hospital discharge card and any test results.
Questions parents ask
When should my newborn have the first check up?
Ideally within the first week after going home from the hospital, and sooner if your baby looks yellow, is not feeding well or seems unusually sleepy.
Is newborn jaundice dangerous?
Mild jaundice is common in the first days and often settles on its own. Jaundice that appears in the first 24 hours, spreads to the legs, or comes with poor feeding needs a doctor to check the bilirubin level the same day.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
After the first few days, most babies have at least six wet nappies a day, pass stool regularly and start gaining weight by around two weeks. Weight checks at the clinic will confirm it.
My baby cries a lot in the evening. Is that colic?
It can be. Colic usually starts in the first weeks and settles by three to four months. Dr. Bilal will first make sure there is no other cause like reflux, hunger or an infection.