Caregivers

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”.

Hand hygiene is very important. There are key moments when hand washing is essential, especially when taking care of a baby.

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.

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.

The following are recommendations to consider when hospital discharge after neonatal admission, and even if the baby was born healthy and at term:
· avoid exposing the patient to crowds of people;
· avoid passive exposure to smoke from parents and other family members;
· limit contact between newborns and infected people as much as possible.
If parents and close caregivers present signs of flu or a cold:
· increase personal hygiene precautions, including hand hygiene;
· put a mask or a handkerchief over the mouth and nose while caring for newborns;