Umbilical cord

The daily application of chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord stump in the first postnatal week is a recommendation that depends on the settings.

The only scenario that supports its use is where traditionally noxious substances (e.g., animal manure) are used on the umbilical cord. In newborns with unhygienic cord care (defined as the use of noxious substances on the cord, such as dust, clay, mud, and animal manure), chlorhexidine reduced mortality.

Clean, dry cord care is recommended for newborns born in health facilities, and at home in low neonatal mortality settings.
Daily chlorhexidine (4%) application to the umbilical cord stump during the first week of life is recommended for newborns who are born at home in settings with high neonatal mortality (neonatal mortality rate >30 per 1000). Use of chlorhexidine in these situations may be considered only to replace application of a harmful traditional substance
 

Immediately after birth, it is recommended to dry the baby with a clean, dry compress, check that he/she is breathing or crying and place him/her on the skin of the mother's abdomen while waiting for the delayed clamping of the umbilical cord.
Routine nasal or oral suction should not be done for newborns who start breathing on their own after birth, unless secretions are observed. Suctioning of mouth or nose is not recommended in neonates born through liquor with meconium who start breathing on their own, nor tracheal suctioning

Delayed rather than immediate umbilical cord clamping is beneficial for all newborn, both term and preterm.

Delayed umbilical cord clamping, performed within 1 to 3 minutes after birth, is recommended to improve infant health outcomes. Delay (1 – 3 minutes) after birth for clamping and subsequent section of the umbilical cord allows the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the newborn, which in turn improves their iron store and contributes to meet the requirements of this micronutrient during the first six months.
Iron is a critical micronutrient from immune function to neurological development in children. Its deficit generates iron deficiency anaemia.