Gullshan Health: Bringing a newborn home is one of the most exciting and overwhelming moments for any parent. The first few weeks can seem like a blur because of feeding schedules, sleepless nights, and figuring out what your kid needs. However, taking care of a newborn doesn’t have to be difficult. You can make this trip easier for you and your child by following a few easy steps, developing mindful habits, and having a lot of patience. For some helpful advice on how to care for your infant with confidence and affection, we reached out to Dr. Viswateja Chitturi, Lead Paediatric Intensivist at Apollo Hospitals in Visakhapatnam.
Clean Hands
It is your responsibility to be free of infections before teaching this to your child when he is older. According to Dr. Chitturi, the primary cause of neonatal death is infection. “A newborn’s immune system is not fully developed, which makes them especially vulnerable to pathogens carried on hands or surfaces,” says the pediatrician.
More than 40% of cases of neonatal sepsis might be avoided with good hand cleanliness, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Therefore, a straightforward precaution is to wash your hands with soap before handling the infant.
Safe Feeding Procedures
Since feeding is an exterior care procedure for a newborn, safe procedures offer safety as well as nourishment. Only breastfeeding is advised for the first six months, according to WHO and Indian National Health Mission standards. Breast milk lowers the incidence of undernutrition, pneumonia, and diarrhea, according to Dr. Chitturi. Approximately 64% of infants less than six months are exclusively breastfed, according to the NFHS-5 survey. According to the pediatrician, family support, community health worker visits, and lactation counseling can all improve the chances of a successful nursing experience. “Breast milk is a protective shield for the child,” the specialist remarks.
Thermal Protection and Warmth..
Even in tropical climes, neonatal hypothermia is a common but sometimes disregarded concern. Particularly if they are premature or underweight, newborns are more likely to lose heat via their skin. Kangaroo mother care, as Dr. Chitturi calls it, is keeping skin-to-skin contact. According to him, it increases survivability and lessens hypothermia. Skin-to-skin contact has been shown in numerous studies to lower neonatal mortality risk by 40%, particularly for low birth weight babies.
Early Screening and Vaccination
It goes without saying that prompt immunization and early identification of a condition that may not be apparent in a child are essential. BCG, OPV-0, and Hepatitis B are among the primary and necessary vaccinations administered to children during the first 24 hours of life as part of the Universal Immunization Program. At least 60% of regions lag behind for timely initiation, according to an NFHS-5 analysis. Additionally, Dr. Chitturi notes that in many regions of the nation, early screening for diseases like congenital hypothyroidism or hearing impairment is still not common. “There is proof that improved development results from early identification. “Families must be informed about this,” the physician says.
Safe Sleep and Household Conditions
India has the highest rate of neonatal mortality in the world, with almost 0.7 million deaths annually. Unsafe sleeping conditions are frequently connected to respiratory illnesses and unexpected baby fatalities. Experts advise against using loose bedding and to put babies on their backs so they may sleep on a hard surface. Although sharing a bed is a widespread cultural practice in India, Dr. Chitturi claims that if it is not handled properly, it might raise the risk of infection. Risks can be avoided with proper ventilation, smoke-free surroundings, and sleeping positions. He lists a few more causes, such as inadequate nutrition, fast breathing, or fever, all of which call for prompt medical attention.
