Although your baby is new born, some of the tips and ideas within this fact sheet are great to start using now. Babies are unable to calm themselves and they need a calm, loving adult to soothe them. You may also find this fact sheet useful if you have a toddler running around!
Newborn Bloodspot Test (Heel Prick test)
Every baby is offered newborn blood spot screening, also known as the heel prick test, ideally when they are 5 days old.
The test involves taking a small sample of blood to check whether your baby has any of 10 rare but serious health conditions.
Most babies will not have any of these conditions. However, for the small number of babies who do, early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference. Treatment may improve health outcomes and help prevent severe disability or even death.
How the test is carried out
When your baby is 5 days old, a healthcare professional will gently prick their heel and collect four drops of blood on a special screening card.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
From October 2026, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) will be added to the newborn blood spot screening programme as part of the government’s commitment to expand screening for babies.
SMA is a rare but serious genetic condition that affects muscle strength and movement. Early identification is critical, as prompt treatment can make a life-changing difference for babies diagnosed with SMA.
Understanding Your Baby’s Results
You should receive your baby’s newborn blood spot screening results by the time they are 6 weeks old. The results may show:
- No conditions suspected – This is the result most babies receive and means your baby is unlikely to have any of the conditions screened for.
- Carrier of a condition – Your baby may carry a gene for a condition such as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis but will usually be healthy.
- Condition suspected – A healthcare professional will contact you to arrange further tests and explain the next steps.
- Repeat test needed – Sometimes the test needs to be repeated. This does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with your baby.
For more information about newborn blood spot screening results, click here.
Routine Screening Reviews at 6 to 8 weeks
Your baby should have had a routine physical examination at 6 to 8 weeks, usually by your GP. Your baby will have had a full physical examination soon after birth. This will have picked up many, but not all, of the things the GP will assess during the 6-8 week baby review.
Getting to know your baby
Whether you are the birthing parent or co-parent, your relationship with your baby begins before birth. Did you know that babies can hear in the womb and be sensitive to bright lights at around 16 weeks? By around 25 weeks of pregnancy, your baby may be moving around to music and responding to touch.
Some parents-to-be find it hard to imagine their baby. This may be due to feeling anxious or because their own experience of being parented was difficult.
Bonding takes time – so don’t feel guilty if you don’t feel that rush of love straight away. Click the link to access the information leaflet
Safe Sleeping
Safer sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurring. We recommended following the expert advice from The Lullaby Trust until your child is 12 months old (adjusted for premature or low birthweight babies). For more information click the link below.
Best Start Family Hubs
Helping Lewisham families to connect, grow and thrive
Family Hubs are welcoming and safe spaces that families and children feel they belong to and can connect and grow to be what they want to be.
Tummy time
Tummy time is a great way to help build your baby’s upper body strength. You can start doing tummy time from birth by lying your baby on your chest (but only do this when you are wide awake and unlikely to fall asleep). Gradually increase the amount of time you do this day by day. Then when your baby is ready, try doing tummy time on the floor. Visit Best Start in Life for more information.
