INTRODUCTION

Essential care of the normal healthy neonates can be best provided by the mothers under
supervision of nursing personnel. About 80% Of newborn baby's require minimal care. The
normal term baby should be kept with their mother rather than separate nursery. Rooming in
promotes better emotional bondage, prevents cross infection and established breast feeding
easily. Mother participates in nursing care of the baby and develops self confidence in her.
Nursing care of healthy new born baby after birth should be provided as immediate care of
neonate and daily routine care.

NEWBORN
 As majority babies cry at birth and take spontaneous respiration, no resuscitation
required at birth in about 95-98% neonates.
 These healthy normal neonates need only warmth, breast feeding, close observation for
early detection of problems and protection from infections and injuries.
 After cutting the umbilical cord aseptically the baby should be kept dried, wrapped with
dry and warm cloth, examine thoroughly and quickly to assess normal characteristics, to
detect congenital malformation and then put the mother's breast.
 Recording to be done accurately about the event of the birth of the baby (especially birth
date, time, sex, examination findings or presence of any problem etc) in the delivery
record sheet.
 The mother and baby should transfer to ward usually after 1 hour of observation in the
delivery room and when the condition permits.
 Sick or at-risk neonates need special care in special setting.

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 APGAR SCORE

NEONATES

The major goal of nursing care of the newborn is establish and maintain homeostasis i.e.
stability in the normal physiological status.

WARMTH

 Warmth is provided by keeping the baby dry with adequate clothing.

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 Baby can be placed in skin to skin contact with mother (kangarooing) to maintain
temperature of infant and facilitate breast feeding.
 Bathing at first day is avoided to prevent hypothermia.
BREASTFEEDING
 The baby should be put to mother's breast within half an hour of birth as soon as
possible.
 The mother has recovered from exertion of labour.
 Colostrum’s feeding must be offered.
 Mother should be informing about the importance and techniques of breast feeding.
 Demand feeding should be encouraged.
 Exclusive breast-feeding procedure should be explained to the mother and family
members.
SKIN CARE AND BABY BATH
 The baby must be cleaned off blood, mucus and meconium.
 No vigorous attempts should be met to remove the vernix caseosa, as it provides
protection to the delicate skin.
 Baby bath can be given in the hospital by using warm water in a warm room gently and
quickly.
 Bathing should be avoided in open place.
 During winter months the baby should have sponge bath rather than deep bath to avoid
hypothermia.
USE OF OLIVE OIL
 Use of olive oil or coconut oil can be allowed after 3-4 weeks of age.
 Oil massage improves circulation and muscle tone.
 Oil massage should be given before the bathing.
 Exposure to morning sunrays is an important source of vitamin D and warmth.
 The talcum powder should be applied over the axillae, groins and buttocks.
CARE OF UMBILICAL CORD
 The umbilical cord is cut about 2-3 inches from the navel with aseptic precaution during
delivery and tied with cotton thread or disposable plastic clip.
 The cord must be inspected for bleeding afterwards which commonly occurs due to
shrinkage of cord and loosening of ligature.
 No dressing should apply and the cord should be kept open and dry.
 Normally it falls of after 5-10 days.
 Application of triple dye or junction violet is not advocated as a routine any more.
CARE OF EYES
 Eye should be cleaned at the birth and once every day using sterile cotton swabs soaked in
sterile water.
 Each eye should be cleaned using a separate swab.
 Application of kajal in the eyes must be avoided to prevent infection or lead poisoning.

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 The eye should be observed for redness , discharge or the excessive tearing for early
detection of problems and prompt management.
CLOTHING OF BABY
 The baby should be dressed with loose, soft and cotton cloths.
 Large buttons synthetic frock and plastic or nylon napkin should be avoided.
 'D A triangular shaped soft, absorbent cloth should be used as napkin.
 The cloths should not be tight especially around the neck or abdomen.
 In winter woollen clothing should be used.
 The new born should be kept with the mother for continues rooming in a well-ventilated
room.
 Baby be should handle with gentle approach after hand washing.
 No infected person should take care or touch the baby.
 Baby should allow to sleep in a supine position which can prevent sudden infant death
syndrome.
 General cleanliness is to be maintained and surrounding to be kept clean.
 Wet nappies should be change immediately.
OBSERVATION
 The baby should be thoroughly observed twice daily for early detection of any
abnormalities. Temperature, pulse, respiration, feeding behaviour, stool, urine and sleep
pattern should be assessed.
 Mouth, eyes, cord, and skin should be looked for any infections.
 is about 30gm/day.
 Most infants double their weight by 4-5 months but in first week of life there is
physiological loss of body weight because of removal of vernix, mucus, blood, passage of
meconium and reduction of extracellular blood volume & also due to adaptation to new
environment.
 With adequate breast -feeding majority of babies regain the weight within 7-10 days of
birth.

IMMUNISATION
 within first week of life.
 The mother should be informed about national immunization schedule and explanation
should give about important of complete immunization and all possible reaction following
vaccines.
 'D In institutional deliveries all neonates should be immunized with BCG vaccine and zero
polio.
 In outside or home deliveries the BCG and OPV should be given

FOLLOW UP AND ADVISES

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 Follow up is necessary for assessment of growth and development, early detection and
management of health problems.
 Health education should be given regarding exclusive breast feeding, warmth, hygiene,
rooming in, clothing, immunization and follow up.
 Harm full cultural practices should be discouraged.
 Care at home should be discussed and demonstrate to the mother and family.

CONCLUTION
The newborn care is very essential to reduce infant morbidity and mortality rate.