The survival of a newborn is determined, to a great extent, by the kind of care received during the perinatal period . Care of the baby actually begins when the child is still in the womb preparing to come to the world. Developing countries are the worst hit by sickness and death of newborns due to the fact that they lack the necessary expertise to alleviate these deaths. In this article, we talk about some of the key principles regarding newborn care Worcester MA residents may be interested in.
Newborn care begins right from when the mother goes into labor since complications may arise that could affect the neonate. Delivery by operation should be given timely consideration in cases where labour goes on for too long. The mother should be under the care of experienced birth attendants to ensure that both her health and the health of the unborn baby is not put at risk.
Once the baby has been successfully delivered, they should be examined to rule out any congenital abnormalities and infections. The weight and gestational age need to also be documented. The recommended time for clamping the umbilical cord is three minutes on average. This is particularly crucial for underweight newborns because it helps minimize anemia (low hemoglobin levels) due to iron mineral deficiency.
The neonate should be wiped clean and given to the mother for skin to skin contact. This is done after confirming that the baby has no signs of respiratory distress, infection or birth defects. Breast feeding needs to be initiated as soon as possible, preferably within the first hour of delivery. First time mothers may experience difficulty not only in expressing milk but also in delivery of the milk to the baby.
One common challenge mothers face is difficulty in milk expression and delivery. Among the important preparations before the baby comes is for the mother to equip herself with the necessary knowledge regarding best breastfeeding techniques. She can do this by interacting with experienced women and watching how they feed their babies. Alternatively, she can attend antenatal clinics where such sessions are given. Principally, the mother needs to be as relaxed as possible to stimulate the milk let down reflex.
The cord should get maximum attention as it can easily get infected if neglected. The mother simply needs to keep that area dry. Most expers advise that babies be given sponge baths during this period. Normal water baths can be introduced when the cord area is deemed fully healed.
The habit of thoroughly washing hands before handling the baby cannot be over emphasized. This is due to the fact that babies are born with a weak immune system and are therefore highly susceptible to infections. The skin also being highly sensitive should be given great care. This implies frequent change of diapers to avoid irritation.
Growth and development of newborns greately depends on the amount of effort and attention we put in as caregivers. Recommended vaccinations during the post natal period should not be overlooked as they go a long way in building the immune system of the child as they grow. Lastly, a well fed baby is a happy baby, therefore feeding them should be priority.
Newborn care begins right from when the mother goes into labor since complications may arise that could affect the neonate. Delivery by operation should be given timely consideration in cases where labour goes on for too long. The mother should be under the care of experienced birth attendants to ensure that both her health and the health of the unborn baby is not put at risk.
Once the baby has been successfully delivered, they should be examined to rule out any congenital abnormalities and infections. The weight and gestational age need to also be documented. The recommended time for clamping the umbilical cord is three minutes on average. This is particularly crucial for underweight newborns because it helps minimize anemia (low hemoglobin levels) due to iron mineral deficiency.
The neonate should be wiped clean and given to the mother for skin to skin contact. This is done after confirming that the baby has no signs of respiratory distress, infection or birth defects. Breast feeding needs to be initiated as soon as possible, preferably within the first hour of delivery. First time mothers may experience difficulty not only in expressing milk but also in delivery of the milk to the baby.
One common challenge mothers face is difficulty in milk expression and delivery. Among the important preparations before the baby comes is for the mother to equip herself with the necessary knowledge regarding best breastfeeding techniques. She can do this by interacting with experienced women and watching how they feed their babies. Alternatively, she can attend antenatal clinics where such sessions are given. Principally, the mother needs to be as relaxed as possible to stimulate the milk let down reflex.
The cord should get maximum attention as it can easily get infected if neglected. The mother simply needs to keep that area dry. Most expers advise that babies be given sponge baths during this period. Normal water baths can be introduced when the cord area is deemed fully healed.
The habit of thoroughly washing hands before handling the baby cannot be over emphasized. This is due to the fact that babies are born with a weak immune system and are therefore highly susceptible to infections. The skin also being highly sensitive should be given great care. This implies frequent change of diapers to avoid irritation.
Growth and development of newborns greately depends on the amount of effort and attention we put in as caregivers. Recommended vaccinations during the post natal period should not be overlooked as they go a long way in building the immune system of the child as they grow. Lastly, a well fed baby is a happy baby, therefore feeding them should be priority.
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