In the first 12 hours a pediatrician will give your baby a checkup. In addition to a head-to-toe examination, there will be checks made on skin color, temperature, and muscle tone, and on reflexes, such as sucking and grasping.
Heart and Lungs
The heart and lungs are checked to ensure they sound normal.
Head Shape
The baby's head shape and fontanelles (soft areas between the skull bones) are examined.
Hands and Feet
Baby's hands and feet are checked for reflexes, and fingers and toes are counted.
Mouth and Palate
The separate sections of baby's mouth should have fused together.
Hips
The hips are rotated and the legs are bent upward to check for signs of dislocation.
Spine
The spine is checked to ensure it is straight and free from abnormalities.
