After the birth of your baby

Newborn baby smiling

Breastfeeding is best for you and your baby, but it isn’t always easy. It takes time and practice. It can take up to six weeks for you and your baby to learn the skill of breastfeeding.

It’s an important job you’re doing, and you’re not alone. There are many support services available day or night to help, visit NSW Health to find out more.

After the birth of your baby you will be asked if you wish for your baby to have vaccinations, medicines and screening tests performed as a part of routine postnatal care of the newborn.

These include:

  • administration of Vitamin K or Konakion
  • administration of the Hepatitis B Immunisation
  • Newborn screening test or spot test
  • SWISH (State-wide infant screening for hearing)
  • Well baby health check or blue book check.

After the birth of your baby you’ll be given a Newborn Child Declaration form. This form can be used in person at a Medicare office or uploaded to your online Medicare account to generate your baby’s Medicare number. 

If you loose your form that’s O.K, you can still submit an application through your myGov account.

You have 60 days from the birth of your baby to register with NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages. Registering your baby is free and is now done online.

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