Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

SESSION 8: NEWBORN CARE
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:
1. Identify normal behavior and physical characteristics of a newborn
2. Describe the basic care of newborns
3. Identify signs of potentially serious problems in newborns and what to do in case
they occur
TRAINING METHODS: Presentation, Discussion, Demonstration
TIME: 60 minutes
MATERIALS:
• Baby doll
• Cotton swabs (for cleaning baby’s eyes), baby oil or cream, towels, diapers
Trainer document:
• Essential Newborn Care
• Later Care of the Infant
Participant document:
• Later Care of the Infant
INSTRUCTIONS
I-II. NORMAL NEWBORN BABIES AND THEIR CARE (45 minutes)
Introduction: In previous sessions, we focused mostly on the woman’s health during
pregnancy and after childbirth. Now we will turn our attention to the health of the
newborn (babies during the first 28 days of their lives).
Briefly describe the physical appearance and normal behavior of the newborn baby.
• The eyes may be uncoordinated and appear slightly crossed for the first several
weeks.
• The stump of the umbilical cord is very moist at birth; it dries slowly until it falls off
in a week to ten days.
• The baby’s genitals may appear swollen for the first several days.
• Some babies may have slightly swollen breasts; some baby girls may bleed a little
from their vaginas (like a small period). This is an effect of the hormones from the
mother and will disappear in a few days.
• Newborns have two small soft spots on the top of the head (fontanelles) that will
slowly close during the first year.
• Some babies are covered with fine hair that falls off during the first few months.
• Some babies are covered with a creamy white substance (vernix) when they born.
This is not a sign of any problem.
• Many babies have small pimples covering their faces and bodies. These slowly go
away during the first few days or weeks.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 8: Newborn Care