Proper hand washing protects us from transmission of diseases. It is possible to do it the right way and save water at the same time.
A person uses up to 1.5 liters of drinking water in each hand washing., but it can be reduced to one-fifth of that.
More than 5 billion people could have difficulty accessing water by 2050.
Skin irritations can be caused by prolonged contact with urine and feces. To avoid them, the diaper should be changed as often as needed. It is important to clean the baby with water and neutral soap after bowel movements, and to keep the diaper region dry.
• Change diaper frequently.
• Wash the region with neutral soap.
• Keep the skin clean and dry, especially in folds and grooves.
• After washing, dry the area well and powder with dry cornstarch in the affected region.
• Wash the infant’s clothes separately, rather than together with adult clothing.
• Use coconut oil soap or other neutral soap with less acid; do not use bleaches, powdered soaps, softeners with perfume, or bleach solutions (these products have chemicals that contact the baby’s skin, causing allergies).
• After washing, rinse thoroughly so that there is no residue from the cleaning agent on the fabric.
• Hang to dry in the sun (if possible) and iron (to eliminate microorganisms).
Responsive care encompasses both sensitivity and responsiveness with which a young infant is assisted. Sensitivity is awareness, from birth, of a young child’s acts and vocalizations as communicative signals to indicate needs and wants. Responsiveness is the capacity of parents and caregivers to respond appropriately to these signals. Caregivers enable infants to participate in human communication and exchanges by playing their own part in the interaction as well as helping the infant engage.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with the goal of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in facilities that provide maternity services, ensuring that the facilities follow the WHO/UNICEF “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” (the Ten Steps) and adhere to the 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
All infants should receive their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours.
When not feasible, the birth dose can still be effective in preventing perinatal transmission if given within 7 days, particularly within 3 days, although somewhat less than if given within 24 hours, but with declining effectiveness with each passing day. Even after 7 days, a late birth dose can be effective in preventing horizontal transmission and therefore remains beneficial.