By Brenda Cox


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.

Complications that can negatively impact on the general health of the baby can arise in the course of labour. This should be anticipated and measures put in place to make sure the mother gives birth to a healthy baby. Some of these include closely monitoring the progression of labour, general condition of the mother and the unborn baby. Alternative mode of delivery (cesarean section) should be promptly employed if the labour goes beyond the expected period.

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.

Before handing the bundle of joy to their mother, amniotic fluid is wiped off the skin. At this point, the mother and her newborn can have ample skin to skin contact time. This not only helps in bonding but also keeps the baby warm. The health care provider has to ensure that any signs of birth defects, infection and breathing problems have been ruled out. Breastfeeding is introduced as soon as possible (within one hour after delivery).

First time mothers can equip themselves with knowledge on breastfeeding by attending classes that demonstrate lactation techniques. This will not only ease the stress and anxiety that comes with the new experience but also help in providing the best care that the newborn needs. One of the things emphasized in these sessions is for mother to ensure that the neonate gets a good latch on the breast. Ideally, the mouth of the neonate should be able to fully surround the immediate area around the nipple(areola).

Umbilical cord care is something that should be taken seriously as the stump can get infected if not given the attention it deserves. The stump should not come into contact with water as it is given time to heal. For this reason, water baths should be avoided. Simply wiping the baby with a sponge is recommended during this time.

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.

Immunizations necessary around the time the baby is born should not be overlooked as they greatly help in preventing life threatening illnesses. Breast milk needs to be available to the infant every time they cry or show signs of hunger. All these principles are key in growth and development of the newborn child.




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I am passionate about educating university students about money and careers, and have been doing so since 2007. I see the same confusion and mistakes being replicated every year. The way I help is through Save the Student. I'm always on the look out for new contributors, so get in touch if you're wanting to get involved! Aside from the site, my main interests are travelling, writing, photography, webdesign, sailing, football and cycling.

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