Care Of The Newborn

10.6 CARE OF THE NEWBORN

Observe that the baby breathes, is warm and dry and, within the first 6 hours, drinks colostrum. However, do not interfere with the mother or baby unless necessary. If you need to interfere, be very careful of the mother who may aggressively protect her baby.

1. Breathing: Make sure that the baby is breathing properly. It may be necessary to clean the fluid out of its nose and mouth with your hand, or to hold the baby upside down for several seconds so that the fluid can drip out. It may also be necessary to push on or squeeze the baby's chest to stimulate breathing.

1. Warm and dry: If the mother does not lick the baby clean and dry, the AHA can dry the baby with some clean grass or a clean cloth. If possible, do not move the baby, unless it is in a cold or wet place.

Colostrum - the first milk It is critical that all babies receive colostrum within six hours of birth. Colostrum is critical for the baby because:

 it provides antibodies to protect the baby from disease  its laxative effect helps the baby pass its first feces called “meconium”

 it is very nutritious An important note: Colostrum must be fed within 6 hours of birth to absorb the antibodies. If the baby receives colostrum late, it cannot properly absorb the antibodies.

Allowing the baby to suck at once also helps the mother because the sucking stimulates a release of oxytocin in the mother's body which:

 contracts the uterus and pushes out the placenta and birth fluids

 stimulates milk let down

Colostrum must be fed within 6 hours of birth. If not, the baby may get sick.