Neonate timeline

Well, since early discharge has become the norm, most babies aren't in hospital more than one day or so. You can check the newborn assessment database form for whether the baby has voided and passed meconium. They typically don't make much urine in the first few days and if they're breastfed they're only getting colostrum in very small amounts so there's not a lot to work with. Feeding does stimulate the gastrocolic reflex so there might be mec after every feed, which might be every two or three hours. Neonatal vital signs don't change dramatically in the first few days of life. HR 120-160, RR 30-60 and likely irregular, mean BP around 40 (although there usually isn't a need for monitoring BP in neonates unless they have heart defects), temp 36.5 to 37 C, O2 sats >93%. Other assessments will be individualized for each baby's particular case. The newborn metabolic screen is done after the baby has had at least one milk feed. But like I said, most healthy newborns are in their homes by Day 2.