Caregivers

After birth and during the first postnatal year, infants should be put in a supine position (on their backs) in a crib or bassinet to reduce sudden infant death syndrome.

The soles of the feet should be at the end of the crib and the body covered by a blanket or sheet up to the armpits, with the arms on the outside.

In addition, it is suggested that no pillow be placed under the head, as well as no other object next to the baby.

For safe sleep, it is also recommended that no one smoke in the room where children sleep.

Early skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are two closely linked interventions that should be carried out immediately after birth.
Immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact facilitates lactation, enriches the microbiome of newborns, prevents hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and stabilizes respiratory function.
Early suckling at the breast stimulates the activation of milk secretion and transfers colostrum, rich in immunoactive substances, especially important for those born prematurely.

Early skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are two closely linked interventions that should be carried out immediately after birth.
Immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact facilitates lactation, enriches the microbiome of newborns, prevents hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and stabilizes respiratory function.
Early suckling at the breast stimulates lactogenesis II (activation of milk secretion) and transfers colostrum, rich in immunoactive substances, especially important for those born prematurely.

In neonatal hospitalization areas, the unrestricted admission of mothers and fathers facilitates close contact with their newborns, the development of bonding and the provision of care for which they will be primarily responsible after discharge.

The first days after birth, jaundice (yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes) is treated light therapy, also known as phototherapy. Wearing only a diaper, the baby is placed under a device that delivers blue light. This light is the specific therapy because it changes the chemical structure of bilirubin, rendering it easier to eliminate.
If a newborn requires phototherapy because of high blood bilirubin levels, it should be administered in a timely manner to prevent any injury to the central nervous system.

The yellowish color of the skin in newborns is called "jaundice". It may occur on the first days of life due to the accumulation of bilirubin, a pigment present in red blood cells.

The liver is the organ that sends bilirubin from the bloodstream to the gut, which in turn expels it from the body through the stools. The first days of life, the liver functions slowly; bilirubin is not cleared fast enough; it builds up in the blood, and enters all organs, including skin and brain. If bilirubin reaches very high levels in the brain, it can damage the neurons.

A healthy, full-term newborn should not be bathed until at least 24 hours after birth.
A bath can be a stressful procedure for a newborn. Early bathing can trigger hypothermia, potentially leading to hypoglycemia, hypoxia and pulmonary hemorrhage.
There is no evidence to support the need for a first bath soon after birth.
Neonatal hypothermia is a common condition affecting from 32% to 85% of newborns at the hospital.

La primera infancia (desde el nacimiento hasta los 8 años) es clave para lograr el máximo potencial de desarrollo en el ser humano. Este es el momento de la vida en el que el potencial de desarrollo de los niños y las niñas es más susceptible a los estímulos del entorno y a las experiencias tempranas, que influyen sobre el aprendizaje, la salud, el comportamiento y, a largo plazo, en las relaciones sociales del adulto y su bienestar.

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”.