Care at home

After your baby is born, you will have lots to think about, and it's important to look after yourself as parents as well as your new baby. 

 

Community care at home

You will be seen by the community midwives and maternity support workers once you are home, usually the day after your baby’s birth or the day after you get home. 

You will also have a visit when your baby is 5 days old, to weigh your baby and perform the  newborn bloodspot test  also known as the heel prick test.

Most babies lose a small amount of weight after birth so your midwife will ask how your baby is feeding and re-weigh your baby on days 5 and 10.

If you or your midwife have any feeding concerns you will be offered extra visits or be invited to a postnatal clinic.

Community midwives visit between 9am and 5pm and are unable to give specific times for visits.

If you are expecting your first visit at home and have not heard from a midwife by 3pm please call Midwifery Liaison on 01892 638158 or 633488.

Birth registration

You need to register your baby’s birth within 42 days.

If your baby was born in East Sussex, you will need to register the birth with East Sussex County Council.

 

Caring for your baby

 

New parents

For further information and advice please speak to your community midwife. Advice about stitches, piles, bleeding and other physical changes after birth, plus tips to help you make a healthy recovery are on the NHS website.

 

Health visitor service

The local health visitor team will be automatically informed of the birth of your baby and will contact you to arrange a home visit at around 10-12 days after the birth.

Health visitors are specialist community nurses who work with new parents offering support and informed advice around child and family health and child development.

They offer a minimum of five home visits from birth to age two and can link you into child health clinics and children’s centres.