Newborn Care
An unacceptable number of babies around the world die in the first week of life with the highest number dying within the first 24 hours of birth.1 Many of these deaths occur to babies born too early and too small, or with infections, or to babies asphyxiated around the time of delivery. Studies have shown that many newborn lives can be saved by the use of simple low technological interventions. Interventions such as: supporting breastfeeding providing adequate warmth ensuring good hygiene and cord care, recognizing early signs of danger and providing prompt treatment and referral, giving extra care to small babies, and having skilled health workers attend mothers and babies at delivery and in the immediate postpartum period can all increase a newborn baby’s chances of survival.
