The following are some strategies that families and care givers can adopt to take very good care of newborns for better outcomes:
Families should be advised to:
- Seek prompt medical care if necessary (danger signs include feeding problems, or if the newborn has reduced activity, difficult breathing, a fever, fits or convulsions, or feels cold);
- Register the birth.
- Bring the baby for timely vaccination according to national schedules.
- Some newborns require additional attention and care during hospitalization and at home to minimize their health risks.
Low-birth-weight and preterm babies:
- If a low-birth weight newborn is identified at home, the family should be helped in locating a hospital or facility to care for the baby.
- Increased attention to keeping the newborn warm, including skin-to-skin care, unless there are medically justifiable reasons for delayed contact with the mother;
- Assistance with initiation of breastfeeding, such as helping the mother express breast milk for feeding the baby from a cup or other means if necessary;
- Extra attention to hygiene, especially hand washing;
- Extra attention to danger signs and the need for care; and
- Additional support for breastfeeding and monitoring growth.
Sick newborns
- Danger signs should be identified as soon as possible in health facilities or at home and the baby referred to the appropriate service for further diagnosis and care;
- If a sick newborn is identified at home, the family should be helped in locating a hospital or facility to care for the baby.
Newborns of HIV-infected mothers
- Preventive antiretroviral treatment (ART) fo“`r mothers and newborns to prevent opportunistic infections;
- HIV testing and care for exposed infants; and
- Counselling and support to mothers for infant feeding. Community health workers should be aware of the specialized issues around infant feeding. Many HIV-infected newborns are born prematurely and are more susceptible to infections.
Credit: WHO