The first few days with your newborn are a bit of a blur. You're learning how to hold your baby, figuring out feeding, changing tiny diapers and probably checking every little movement. In between all of this, your doctor may also recommend a few newborn screening tests.

Don't worry - these tests are a normal part of newborn care. They are designed to check for certain health conditions that may not be obvious just by looking at your baby.

One commonly used newborn screening approach includes three important checks: a blood test, hearing screening and heart screening.

Here's what each one means.

This is often called the heel-prick test or newborn blood screening. A healthcare professional takes a few drops of blood by gently pricking your baby's heel. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to screen for certain rare but serious conditions.

The exact conditions tested can vary depending on where you live and the screening programme being followed, so ask your baby's doctor what is included in your baby's test.

The test itself is very quick. Your baby may cry for a moment, but it doesn't take long.

Why is it important?
Some conditions may not show obvious signs when a baby is born. Finding them early can allow treatment or follow-up to begin sooner.

Your baby's hearing is also checked soon after birth. During the screening, a healthcare professional uses special equipment placed gently in or around your baby's ears to see how they respond to sounds. Your baby can usually remain calm or asleep during the test.

You may be surprised that hearing is checked so early, but it can help identify babies who may need further evaluation.

In India, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends newborn hearing screening before discharge from the hospital, with follow-up testing when needed.

And remember, a screening result isn't the same as a diagnosis. If your baby doesn't pass the first screening, your doctor may recommend another test to understand what's happening.

The third important check looks at your baby's heart.

It's usually done using pulse oximetry, a simple and painless test that measures the oxygen level in your baby's blood using sensors placed on the skin. It can help screen for certain serious congenital heart conditions. The test takes only a few minutes and doesn't involve needles.

India's National Health Mission also includes comprehensive newborn screening, and its newborn screening resources describe pulse oximetry as a method that may be used to screen for serious heart problems.

The timing can vary depending on the hospital, your baby's health and the screening programme followed.

Many newborn screening programmes perform these checks during the first couple of days after birth, often before the baby leaves the hospital.

If your baby is born outside a hospital or a particular test isn't completed before discharge, ask your pediatrician when it should be done.

The easiest thing you can do? Before leaving the hospital, simply ask:

"Have all my baby's newborn screenings been completed, and when will I receive the results?"

Your baby's first few days are filled with new experiences, and newborn screening tests are an important part of them.

The blood test, hearing screening and heart screening each look at different aspects of your baby's health. While these tests can feel like just another thing on your already-long new-parent checklist, they can help doctors identify certain concerns early.

Don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician what tests your baby needs, when they'll happen and when you can expect the results.

And once the medical checklist is done, you can get back to the things that matter most - feeding, cuddling, changing those tiny diapers and getting to know your little one.