Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Trainer document
ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE
Care of Cord
The area around the cord stump should be kept clean and dry. It will dry and fall off by
itself with 7-10 days.
Advice for the mother:
• Fold the diaper so that it is below the stump.
• Do not put herbs or other substances on the cord as they may cause severe
infection like tetanus and kill the baby.
• If there is redness around the cord, a bad smell or discharge from it, take the baby
to the health centre or call the family doctor at home.
Breastfeeding on Demand
• All newborns must be kept with their mothers and put to the breast soon after
birth.
• Breastfeeding the baby soon after birth and on demand (suckling him whenever
he wants and for as long as he wants) has important advantages:
o Breast milk `comes in' sooner
o Baby gains weight faster
o Fewer difficulties such as breast engorgement
o Breastfeeding is more easily established
o Exclusive breastfeeding for six months saves lives of many babies by
preventing malnutrition and infections like diarrhea and pneumonia.
Gas Pains (Colic)
If a baby starts to cry and pull his legs up soon after he starts to suck, he may have gas —
too much air in the belly. Some babies swallow air when they breastfeed. It may help to
let the baby burp:
• Lay the baby on your shoulder and rub or pat his back, or
• Lay the baby across your knees and rub or pat his back, or
• Sit the baby up leaning forward and rub or pat his back.
Sometimes a baby seems to get gas pains when the mother eats certain foods or spices.
The mother can try eating food without spices, or stop eating a food that may be causing
gas for 2 or 3 days (if she is getting enough nutrition from other foods). There is no
particular food that should be avoided, because each baby is different.
Gas pains usually stop when the baby is about 4 months old.
Eye Care
Clean each eye with a separate clean moist cloth or cotton swab, beginning from external
part of the eye to the nose. Do not put any drops in the baby’s eyes.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 8: Newborn Care