Your hospital should provide you with a birth certificate worksheet for you to fill out with your baby’s information. The information will then be typed for you to proofread and sign prior to being filed with the state. The Department of Health requires social security numbers of both parents and at least one parental signature. Be sure to review all information prior to being discharged from the hospital. Corrections at a later date can be costly and time consuming.

Acknowledgement of Paternity forms will be provided and notarized for parents who are not legally married, and will need be to be signed by both the mother and father of the baby. If the parents are not married, the father’s information cannot be placed on the birth certificate without the Acknowledgement of Paternity.

Birth certificates are not automatically mailed to the parents. By state law, parents must purchase a certified copy of the birth certificate from the state or city health department at a cost of $11 each.

If you indicate “yes” on the social security portion of the birth certificate worksheet, your baby will automatically receive a social security card in the mailing address you specified on the worksheet. You will receive the card approximately 6 to 12 weeks after the birth certificate is filed (a child must be named before a card will be issued).

If you are currently on, or will be applying for Medicaid, WIC or food stamps, you will need to obtain a social security receipt from the hospital’s birth certificate clerk before you are discharged.  

Do not cover the umbilical cord with a diaper until the cord is completely dried and healed. You may apply alcohol to base of the umbilical cord 2 to 3 times a day using a cotton ball. The cord will usually fall off within 3 to 4 weeks. If a bad smell or drainage occurs, please contact your baby’s physician.

Give your baby sponge baths (no tub baths) until the umbilical cord falls off and the cord site and circumcision is healed. Bathe your baby two times per week with a mild baby soap or Dove. Clean baby’s eyelids with a clean wet cloth.

A baby requires only breast milk or formula for 4-6 months. Do not give your baby other foods or liquids (including water) without consulting with your baby’s physician first. It helps to keep a record of how often your baby feeds and how often (and how much) your baby soils their diapers.

Burp your baby in the middle of and during feedings. By burping your baby, swallowed air is removed allowing baby to take more food. Keep in mind that breastfed infants do not burp as often as bottle fed infants.

Diapers need to be changed as soon as wetness or dirtiness is detected. Clean your baby using a soft, wet cloth. Do not use baby wipes until your baby’s physician approve. Keep the umbilical cord from being covered with the diaper until the cord falls off or the area is healed.

Clear to light yellow urine can be expected at least 4 to 6 times per day.
Soft yellow, seedy (breastfed) or soft brown (formula fed) stools can be expected at least 3 times per day.

Girls:
Wipe diaper area from front to back.
Small amounts of white or blood-streaked vaginal drainage are common in the first few weeks.

Boys:
Circumcised – With plastibell (small attached plastic ring), clean with water. Without plastibell, clean with water and apply Vaseline where foreskin was removed until the area is no longer moist (about 5 days).
Uncircumcised – Clean with water. No need to pull back the skin.

Place baby on their back for the safest sleeping position (SIDS may occur if baby is left sleeping on his or her stomach). Never leave a baby alone without side rails on any surface above the floor.

If your baby is choking, turn them face down with the head lower than the body, and then pat them firmly on the back. Use a bulb syringe to suction mouth and nose as needed.

Texas law requires that all children under the age of two must ride in a car seat.

Infants should ride in rear-facing car seats in the back seat of the vehicle for as long as possible. After reaching the 35 pound weight limit for certain model car seats, children can and should be placed in a forward-facing car seat. NEVER turn a car seat forward facing before your child reaches 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. For more information on child passenger safety information, visit the Texas Department of Transportation’s website.

Do not give your baby any kind of medicine until you consult with your baby’s physician.
Mothers should check with your physician before starting any new medications while breastfeeding.

Your baby should receive immunizations:
Newborn period
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
12 months old
15 months old

Please refer to an immunization record and/or your physician for a complete list of shot recommendations.