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As a top DNA testing lab, our customers ask, “How soon can you DNA test a baby after birth?” For many expectant parents, a non-invasive prenatal paternity test is not the best choice for confirming the father, and they want or need to wait until after the delivery. So parents want to find out if they can test the new baby right away…even while still in the hospital, or if they have to wait a few months till the baby is older and bigger. That is a great question, and here is the quick answer as well as a few reasons why it is best to do the paternity test as soon as possible once the baby is born.
How Soon Can You DNA Test a Baby After Birth?
You can DNA test a baby after birth as soon as the baby has been cleaned up by hospital personnel. Because a cheek swab is used, it is important that the baby’s mouth be free from meconium, amniotic fluid, breast milk, or formula when doing the DNA collection.
5 Tips for Collecting DNA from a Newborn Baby or Infant
- Do not feed the baby or provide water for 60 minutes prior to swabbing. Doing so cannot change the DNA or affect results, but it could contaminate the sample and bring about the need to collect new samples
- Swab the baby while they are asleep. It is hard to swab a squirming, wiggling baby, so doing it while they are asleep is a great solution
- Make sure to rub each swab for a full 30 seconds on the inside of the cheek, while trying hard to avoid the gum areas
- If a swab seems a little wet, simply hold the swab in the air for about 60 seconds before placing in the paper sample envelope
- Do not touch the tip of the swab with your own hand: this helps prevent the chance of contamination
Why It is Important to Do a DNA Test as Soon as Possible after the Baby’s Birth
To protect the possible father from making unwarranted maintenance payments: Even if a man disputes paternity, if he has been named by the mother as the father of the child, he will have to pay child maintenance until a DNA test proves otherwise. Therefore, it is advantageous for the possible father to have a DNA test performed straightway after the birth whenever possible, for his own financial protection. In order to be acknowledged by CSA, the test must be a legal paternity test performed by a court-approved company such as DDC, with witnessed DNA collection and a chain-of-custody process.
Removing the proverbial elephant from the middle of the room: Although it may be uncomfortable for a relationship to ask for a paternity test, it is best in the long run to establish whether or not the possible father really is the biological father. It does not do any good to procrastinate and then have to sever a father/child relationship once a bond has been formed. Also, the child deserves to know their medical history and be eligible for their biological father’s benefits, and the only way to determine that relationship for sure (and legally) is through DNA testing.
Wrapping It Up
So the answer to “How soon can you DNA test a baby after birth” is: as soon as possible. Asking for the test is never easy, but it is best for all parties’ hearts to determine the truth without a long, draw-out drama.
