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As a top DNA testing lab, customers ask, “How soon can you DNA test a baby after birth?” For many expectant parents, a non-invasive prenatal paternity test isn’t the best choice for confirming the father, and they want or need to wait till 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’s older and bigger. That’s a great question! Here’s the quick answer as well as a few reasons why it’s best to do the paternity test as soon as possible once the baby’s 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 staff. Because a cheek swab is used, it’s 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 can’t 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’re asleep. It’s hard to swab a squirming, wiggling baby, so doing it while they’re 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, to prevent the chance of contamination
Why It’s Important to Do a DNA Test as Soon as Possible after the Baby’s Birth
Time limits for contesting paternity: Many states have laws that allow a man to contest paternity for a certain period of time after the baby’s born—often two (2) years, even if they’ve signed the birth certificate or an acknowledgement of paternity. If a man doesn’t exercise this right by doing a legal paternity test with court-admissible results, a court may treat him as the legal father and he’ll be obligated to pay child support.
Getting the elephant out of the middle of the room: Although it may be uncomfortable for a relationship to ask for a paternity test, it’s best in the long run to establish whether or not the possible father really is the biological father. It doesn’t 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’s best for all parties’ hearts to determine the truth without a long, draw-out drama.
Call us at 800-929-0847: We’re here to help.
Do you have questions or comments about how soon you can DNA test a baby after birth? Share in the comments and we’ll answer.
how much will it cost me to DNA test a baby of 2 years old.
Hi, Wahab. Are you in the United States?
Hi I would like to do the at home paternity test
Hi, Fabiola. You are welcome to contact us directly for testing: https://dnacenter.com/contact-us/
If we get a Cheek swab when the baby is born do I as the Grand parent bring it along with the mother to give her swab & consent & pay to do a Grandparents paternity test for $400?
Hi, Ebony. Please contact our team directly for guidance: 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).
Can you get dna from a baby’s pacifier
Hi, Mariah. No, you just swab the insides of their cheeks with a painless cheek swab to get a DNA sample.
Am oluwole from Nigeria. How much DNA test will cost for newly born baby
Please email us directly at contact@dnacenter.com. Thanks!
If you just fed the baby with formula and did the swab test is there a change of the results to be Positive?
Hi, Araceli. No; feeding a baby prior to swabbing doesn’t change the DNA itself. The only thing it might do is affect the quality of the swab sample, making DNA extraction impossible. If you were issued results, then it wasn’t an issue.
At what age can’t we test a child DNA
Hi, Evans. Did you mean can test a child’s DNA? As the article mentions, you can do it as soon as the baby’s born.
If I test right after my baby is born won’t the white stuff that be in their mouth affect the test or the left over milk in their mouth ? What’s the best way to swab a baby ?
Hi, Corie. You’re right that the insides of their little mouth needs to be as clean as possible. The “white stuff” you refer to could be leftover milk residue or a sign of thrush. It’s important to know that breast milk, formula, meconium, and other items in a newborn’s mouth won’t “change” their DNA and thereby possibly “change” the results of a DNA test, but they could contaminate the swab and make it more difficult to extract DNA. Our 25+ years doing paternity testing for newborns have shown that swabbing a new baby is not a problem if the child has been “cleaned up” by nursing staff and has not had any milk or formula for 30 minutes prior to swabbing. As for how to swab, just open their mouth while they are asleep and brush the insides of their cheeks to collect cheek cells, as instructed in kit directions.
My son is 9months old how much does it cost to get a dna test
Hi, Irene. You didn’t mention what type of test you’re looking for. Here’s a good guide: https://dnacenter.com/blog/how-much-does-a-dna-test-cost/
When getting a dna test at the hospital when the baby is born, how long until the results come back?
Hi, Katie. When you test through us, results are ready within two business days, once all samples are received at the lab.
If they dad is no longer around and his parents are going to be the baby’s support etc .. are their are question in the paternity of the baby. Can DNA be took from the alleged dads father?
Hi, Kelly. Yes, we do grandparentage tests in cases where the possible father isn’t available for testing. You can learn more about it here: https://dnacenter.com/dna-testing-services/grandparent-dna-test/
If the father request a DNA test at the hospital after birth is he required to pay for it since they r still at the hospital
Hi, Lp. That is a question best answered by the hospital or a family-law attorney, since the rules vary so much everywhere.
Why do you have to avoid the baby’s gums?
Hi, Lateshia. There is a lot of saliva in the gum areas, and for testing you want to try to collect mainly cheek cells. It’s just that simple!
I took a blood swab instead of a saliva for my 2days born daughter, was it right?
Hi, Richard. I’m not sure what you mean by “blood swab.” Can you please clarify? Thanks.
How long does it take to receive test in mail?
Hi, Nachelle. It depends on the shipping choice you made. Anywhere from a few days to 10 days.
My son has an 8 month old baby girl. Wants to know if the baby is his. His girlfriend left with the baby and he is not sure the baby is his. Do you have a kit that he can use to find out if the baby is his or can he go to the hospital where the baby was born and find out that way without a signature from her. He is clueless on how to do this and wants to know if you send kits to find out.
Hi, Noreen. Unless your son is on the birth certificate or has signed an acknowledgment of paternity, he must get consent from the mother before the baby can be tested.
He is on the birth certificate and has His last name on her Social Security. So what you are saying he can have a test done without her consent. She gave birth early and told him she was pregnant after a few months. Now she wants child support
If he is considered by his state to be a legal guardian of the child, then yes.
So when mom is in hospital, she or someone on her behalf contact you guys; a lab tech would then come to swab newborn? Or would it be more ideal to make appointment after mom and baby are discharged.
Thank you
Hi, Josephine. It depends on whether or not you want results for legal reasons or just for your own knowledge and peace of mind. If a legal test is wanted, mom can contact us directly to have us set up the test at the hospital or at an approved location once she’s discharged: 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern).
Can I get a dna done as soon as I have my baby for free in the hospital . I’m in Florida . If not how do I get someone to do the dna for me after I have my son ?
Hi, Ty. I don’t know of any hospital that does free paternity testing. However, hospital staff can witness DNA collection for you and the baby if it’s arranged ahead of time. Please contact our experts directly for a free consultation at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern).
Is a new sample required for each DNA test?
Hi, George. In most cases, yes, although there are exceptions made in some circumstances. It’s difficult without knowing all the details to comment in this forum, so it is best for you to ask the lab directly.
Can I do the DNA testing right at the hospital after the baby is born and how long does it takes to get the results
Hi, Ron. Yes, you definitely can do that. Once samples arrive at the lab and go into testing, the result is ready in 1-2 business days.