Nurturing care starts before birth, when mothers and other caregivers can start talking and singing to the foetus.
After birth, the baby can recognize the mother’s voice. Early bonding is facilitated by skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and the presence of a companion to support the baby mother. These also build the foundations for optimal nutrition, quality interactions and care.
The theme of Breastfeeding Week 2023 is “Let's make breastfeeding and work work”.
Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and illnesses are spread by not washing hands with clean running water and soap.
Surgical hand antisepsis
I Rub the hands with water and antiseptic detergent solution, including all surfaces, spaces
between the fingers, and nails; also wash the forearms.
II Rinse with running water.
III Wipe with sterile compress.
Note: this procedure should take 3 to 5 minutes for the first surgery and 2 to 3 minutes for subsequent surgeries.
Simple handwashing (plain soap) or antiseptic handwashing (soap containing antiseptic)
I. Rub the hands with water and liquid soap or antiseptic detergent solution for approximately 15 seconds, including all the surfaces, spaces between the fingers, and nails. Also wash the forearms.
II. Rinse with running water.
III. Wipe with paper towel.
The hands constitute the main form of transmission of microorganisms during patient care. The skin is a possible reservoir for various microorganisms that can be transferred from one surface to another. The skin of the hands hosts two principal microorganism populations: those belonging to the resident microbiota and those belonging to transient microbiota. Transient microbiotas colonize the most superficial layer of the skin, which allows their mechanical removal by handwashing with water and soap, although they are eliminated more easily when an antiseptic solution is used.
Screening tests are required for the following conditions:
- Inborn errors of metabolism and heart diseases. The tests should be carried out with a dried blood spot sample (heel prick), within 24 to 36 hours of birth. The number and type of diseases that should be screened depends on the screening package offered in each country.
- Critical congenital heart disease. This should be tested with pulse oximetry within 24 hours of birth.
Neonates requiring supplementary oxygen should be screened after 24 hours of being clinically stable, in ambient air.
Screening tests evaluate different health conditions before newborns are discharged from the care center. These tests, or screenings, allow the diagnosis of neurometabolic or structural diseases, such as congenital heart defects or hip dislocation.
For all neonates it is recommended topical ocular prophylaxis for the prevention of gonococcal (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and chlamydial (Chlamydia trachomatis) ophthalmia neonatorum.
After birth, breastfeeding is initiated by the newborn if he/she is in direct and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with the mother for at least one hour after birth.