Key Principles Concerning Newborn Care Worcester MA Residents May Find Beneficial

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.

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.

Upon successful delivery, the umbilical cord should be clamped. This is normally done within one to three minutes with the aim of allowing sufficient blood to be transferred to the newborn from the placenta. Premature babies are prone to iron deficiency anaemia and greatly benefit from this optimal timing for cord clamping.

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.

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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