Description

🍼 1. Immediate Newborn Care ✅ At Birth (Golden Minute): Clear Airways: Suction the mouth and nose if necessary (using a bulb syringe or suction device). Dry and Warm: Use a clean towel to dry and wrap the baby immediately to maintain body temperature. Apgar Score: Perform at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. Apgar ≥7: Stable. Apgar <7: Further resuscitation may be required. Cord Care: Clamp the umbilical cord and cut it, ensuring it is sterile. Perform early cord clamping after 1-3 minutes unless immediate resuscitation is needed. Initiate Breastfeeding: Encourage early breastfeeding within the first hour of life to promote bonding, provide colostrum, and reduce risk of hypoglycemia. 🩺 2. Routine Neonatal Assessments ✅ Physical Exam: Weight, Length, and Head Circumference: Plot on growth charts for monitoring growth. General Appearance: Assess for signs of congenital malformations, distress, or abnormalities. Vital Signs: Monitor temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂). Reflexes: Check Moro, rooting, sucking, and grasp reflexes, which are indicators of neurologic development. ✅ Monitoring for Common Problems: Hypoglycemia: Common in preterm or low-birth-weight infants. Monitor blood glucose levels, especially in high-risk infants (e.g., those born to diabetic mothers). Jaundice: Monitor for signs of neonatal jaundice and check bilirubin levels if necessary (usually visible on day 2–3). Respiratory Distress: Observe for tachypnea, chest retractions, or grunting, which could indicate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Temperature Regulation: Keep the infant warm using skin-to-skin contact or a radiant warmer if necessary. Maintain a neutral thermal environment. 💉 3. Vaccination and Prophylaxis ✅ Immediate Vaccination: BCG Vaccine: Administer within the first few days if not given at birth. Hepatitis B Vaccine (Hep B-1): First dose within 24 hours of life. Vitamin K: Administer a single intramuscular dose (1 mg) for vitamin K prophylaxis to prevent bleeding. Eye Prophylaxis: Administer erythromycin or tetracycline eye ointment to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum (neonatal conjunctivitis) caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia. 🧑‍⚕️ 4. Supportive Care and Monitoring ✅ Feeding and Nutrition: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months. Colostrum: Early breastfeeding helps provide immunologic protection and promotes gut flora development. Formula Feeding: If breastfeeding is not possible, formula can be used as an alternative. Monitor for Feeding Difficulties: Assess suckling ability, latch, and milk intake. ✅ Temperature Regulation: Maintain skin-to-skin contact or use an incubator/radiant warmer if the baby is unable to regulate body temperature effectively. Monitor for hypothermia (temperature <36.5°C) and take corrective actions promptly. ✅ Hydration and Electrolyte Balance: Monitor for signs of dehydration, especially in low-birth-weight or premature infants. Provide appropriate fluids via breastfeeding or parenteral nutrition if the baby is unable to feed orally. 🧬 5. Neonatal Care for High-Risk Infants ✅ Preterm or Low Birth Weight (LBW) Babies: Temperature Management: Maintain in a warmer or incubator, as preterm babies have reduced ability to regulate body temperature. Respiratory Support: Preterm infants are at risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Consider CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or surfactant therapy if necessary. Feeding: Provide expressed breast milk or preterm formula. May need gavage feeding if unable to suckle. ✅ Infections: Antibiotics: High-risk neonates (e.g., those with maternal infections, premature birth) may require empiric antibiotics until cultures are negative. Sepsis Screening: Monitor for signs of infection, including lethargy, poor feeding, or abnormal vital signs. ✅ Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): Monitor babies exposed to substances (e.g., opioids) during pregnancy. Treatment may include morphine or methadone and supportive care. 💡 6. Discharge and Follow-Up Care ✅ Discharge Criteria: Stable vital signs Able to feed effectively (breast or formula) No signs of infection or complications Adequate weight gain (usually ≥ 2/3 of birth weight by discharge) ✅ Follow-Up Care: Arrange follow-up with a pediatrician for growth monitoring and developmental assessment. Provide guidance on breastfeeding, immunizations, and safety measures (e.g., safe sleep, car seat safety). 🛡️ 7. Parent Education Breastfeeding Support: Educate parents on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months. Infant Care: Teach parents about safe sleep practices (e.g., back to sleep), recognizing signs of illness, and the importance of regular check-ups. Signs of Illness: Provide guidelines on when to seek medical care (e.g., poor feeding, lethargy, fever, or difficulty breathing).