Welcome to Parenthood!
Are you a new parent? CDC's Web site can be a great resource for you, providing information on topics such as infant immunizations, hearing screening, and jaundice.Welcome to Parenthood. With this video, take a short, funny look at some of the challenges of being a new parent. 
Parenthood is tough. Every day, you have to make decisions about what's best for your baby. For new parents, CDC Web pages can be a great resource. Let the experts at CDC share research and tips with you ― because we're not only public health specialists, we're moms and dads too!
Learn about Infant Immunizations
Infants and young children need to be vaccinated, because the diseases prevented by vaccination can strike at an early age. Also, these diseases can be far more serious or common among infants or young children.
Immunization is one of the most important things you as a parent can do to protect your child's health. Today, immunizations protect children younger than 2 years old from serious diseases including bacterial meningitis, influenza, measles, whooping cough, chickenpox, tetanus, and rotavirus. At least one vaccine is needed for each of these diseases; for some diseases, several doses are required for the best protection.
Vaccines are safe and effective. Failure to vaccinate may mean putting children at risk for serious diseases. Find out if your infant is due for a vaccination.
For more information on infants and immunization, see the Parents' Guide to Childhood Immunizations.
Learn about Hearing Screening
Babies begin to develop speech and language from birth. They learn by listening and interacting with the sounds and voices around them. But when a baby is born with hearing loss, the child's speech and language development can be delayed.
The cause of hearing loss is unknown for many babies, and this condition can go unnoticed for years. Early identification of hearing loss allows parents to make decisions about their child's care that can affect speech, language, and social development.
All infants should be screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age. It is best if they are screened before leaving the hospital. If your baby does not pass this hearing screening, it is very important to make an appointment for a full hearing test and any necessary medical tests no later than 3 months of age.
For more information, see the Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program.
Learn about Jaundice
Jaundice is the yellow color seen in the skin of many newborns. It happens when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in a baby's blood. Jaundice can occur in babies of any race or ethnicity, regardless of skin color. Low levels of bilirubin are not a problem, but a few babies have too much jaundice, which can cause problems.
If not treated, high levels of bilirubin can cause brain damage and a life-long condition called kernicterus. Early detection and management of jaundice can prevent kernicterus. At a minimum, babies should be assessed for jaundice every 8–12 hours in the first 48 hours of life and again before they are 5 days old.
About 60% of all babies have jaundice. Some babies are more likely to have severe jaundice and higher bilirubin levels than others.
For more information, see Jaundice/Kernicterus – for Parents.
Additional Resources
- Video
- CDC Resources
- CDC Podcasts
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention: Can Your Baby Hear? in English (
10:46 minutes) or Spanish (13:11 minutes) - Positive Parenting Tips: Babies (2:34 minutes)
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention: Can Your Baby Hear? in English (
- Other Web Resources
