Watch Their Hearts is a community outreach initiative created to help parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers recognize the warning signs of congenital heart defects (CHD) that may be missed in newborns.
Parents should know that newborn screening cannot catch every heart defect, so it’s crucial to be aware of warning signs to watch for at home.
The (CCHD) pulse ox screening measures the oxygen level in the blood and the heart rate. The test is fast, easy, and does not hurt. The screening is done after 24 hours after birth to allow the baby’s heart and lungs to fully adjust to life outside the womb.
With timely detection, many CHD babies live full lives!
WARNING SIGNS:
Extreme sleepiness or low activity
Sweating during feeds or with activity
Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
Bluish color around lips-face-fingertips
Poor feeding or tiring easily during feeds
Fast or labored breathing (especially when resting or feeding)
If you notice any of these warning signs in your baby, please contact your baby’s healthcare provider immediately.*
Let your baby’s healthcare provider know: a family history of CHD, a known genetic condition, or any maternal risk factors during pregnancy.
As your baby grows, make sure to schedule regular heart check-ups and monitor their growth and development. If your baby has a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), ensure they receive a plan for long-term care.
Reel talk about your baby’s heart health
Through educational reels and videos in both English and Spanish, families can learn which symptoms to watch for, when to seek medical care, and be encouraged to trust their instincts and discuss any concerns with their baby’s doctor.
Hablemos en reels sobre la salud del corazón de tu bebé
A través de reels y videos educativos en inglés y español, las familias pueden aprender qué síntomas deben observar, cuándo buscar atención médica y sentirse motivadas a confiar en sus instintos y hablar sobre cualquier preocupación con el médico de su bebé.
Extreme Sleepiness or Low Activity (English)
Somnolencia Extrema y Baja Actividad (Spanish)
Sweating During Feeds or With Activity (English)
Sudoración Mientras Come o Cuando Está Activo (Spanish)
Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
Poco aumento de peso o dificultad para crecer y desarrollarse
Bluish color around lips-face-fingertips (English)
Color azulado alrededor de los labios, la cara o las yemas de los dedos (Spanish)
Poor feeding or tiring easily during feeds (English)
Dificultad para alimentarse o cansarse fácilmente durante las tomas (Spanish)
Fast or labored breathing (especially when resting or feeding) (English)
Respiración rápida o con dificultad (especialmente cuando está en reposo o alimentándose) (Spanish)
Watch Their Hearts Public Service Announcement (PSA)
English
Spanish
*The Watch Their Hearts Initiative provides educational information to support awareness and advocacy related to congenital heart defects. It is not intended to diagnose or replace medical evaluation. Families are encouraged to discuss concerns with a qualified healthcare provider and seek further evaluation when symptoms persist.
Medical Articles
What is newborn screening?
Many parents don’t know which conditions are included in screenings or what screenings are provided in New Mexico.
Newborn Screening Resources for Families
Public health newborn screening is a system that identifies conditions that can affect a child’s long-term health or survival. Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential.
Hole In The Heart 