Final points

The following should occur at some stage:

• ensure that the weight, length and head circumference have been measured
• hand the baby back to mum, and reassure, if appropriate, that everything is fine
• it may be pertinent to enquire about smoking at home, and other risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome. Give education as required.

After the baby check, if there is anything to communicate to the parents it is important, as with any breaking of news, to do this clearly and taking some time. Often the news can be minor - an undescended testes or similar - and it is important to discuss this sensitively to avoid interupting the bonding process between mother and child.