Look at the following points carefully --
* A newborn should cry spontaneously soon after birth.
*Should have pink color.
*Should have heart/pulse rate more then 100 per minute.
*Should have active movements of limbs.
*Weight should be more then 2.5 kg.
*After drying up the baby, wrap the baby with soft pre warmed cotton clothes.
*Should pass urine and stool with in 24 hours but may be delayed up to 48 hours.
*Newborn should be put to the mother's breast with in 30 minutes after birth. Please don't give any glucose water or honey to the baby as first food.
*Bathing may be delayed for a couple of days and there after may be given every alternate day with Luke warm water and must be inside the room.
*Initial 1-2 weeks baby will sleep 16-18 hours a day, which is normal.
*Baby will loose weight about 10 per cent in 1st ten days and there after will start gaining weight every day by 15-25 kg.
*Baby may develop jaundice on 3 rd day onwards which is called physiological jaundice and does not require any treatment except exposing the baby to the sun in the morning & in the afternoon for 20-30 minutes for 7-10 days. But if jaundice appear in the first 24 hours, is always pathological and pediatrician to be consulted immediately.
* Keep the umbilicus of the newborn always dry and do not apply any drugs.
*A newborn female baby may pass menstrual like bleeding 2-3 days after birth, which is normal , occurs due to withdrawal of influence of maternal hormone.
*Don't worry and does not require any treatment.
*On day 5 onwards if a baby passes urine more then 6 time a day means baby is getting enough breast milk and does not require any formula feeding.
*If a neonate (First 4 weeks of life) cries unusually or become lethargic or if the baby is hypo or hyperthermia or not sucking well or have convulsion needs immediate pediatric consultation.

The writer is an Associate Professor of Department of Pediatrics of Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh. [Khan1997@bttb.net.bd]