Nurturing Care For Every Newborn

Neurodevelopment begins during pregnancy and accelerates after birth. When cared for in a nurturing environment, babies not only survive, they are also helped to thrive. However, too many infants are deprived of their right to receive nurturing care, particularly when they require inpatient hospital care. This Thematic Brief summarizes why nurturing care is essential for all newborns. It outlines the components of nurturing care and contains examples of practical actions to create and strengthen nurturing environments for all newborns, including those who are born too soon, small or sick.

Why Every Parent Should Prioritize Baby Newborn Care is a must-read for all new parents. This short read book provides essential information and guidance on how to prioritize the care of your newborn baby. With a comprehensive table of contents, it covers everything from the critical first few weeks to establishing routines, feeding and nutrition, sleep and soothing techniques, hygiene and care, emotional support for parents, preparing for parenthood, and enjoying the journey. The First Few Weeks: A Critical Time In this section, you will learn about the importance of the first few weeks in your baby's life. Discover why this time is crucial for bonding and establishing a strong connection with your newborn. Bonding with Your Newborn Learn effective ways to bond with your baby, including the power of skin-to-skin contact. Understand how this simple act can build a deep connection between you and your little one. Eye Contact and Communication Discover the significance of eye contact in communicating with your newborn. Learn how to engage with your baby through eye contact and foster a strong emotional bond. Establishing a Routine Explore the benefits of establishing a routine for your baby. This section provides practical tips on creating a schedule that promotes a sense of security and predictability for your little one. Feeding and Nutrition Understand the importance of feeding and nutrition for your newborn's growth and development. Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and the nurturing alternative of bottle-feeding. Sleep and Soothing Techniques Discover effective techniques to help your baby sleep and soothe them when they are fussy. From creating a sleep-friendly environment to the comfort of swaddling and gentle sounds, this section covers it all. Hygiene and Care Learn the essentials of bathing your newborn and changing diapers. This section provides practical tips on maintaining proper hygiene and care for your baby. Emotional Support for Parents Recognize the importance of emotional support for parents. Understand the challenges of postpartum mental health and learn how to build a support network to navigate this journey. Preparing for Parenthood Get valuable insights on creating a safe home environment for your baby. Discover how to prepare siblings for the arrival of a new family member and ensure a smooth transition. Enjoying the Journey Embrace the joy and wonder of parenthood. This section reminds parents to cherish every moment and offers tips on how to make the most of this incredible journey. Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to common questions that new parents often have. From breastfeeding concerns to sleep issues, this This title is a short read. A Short Read is a type of book that is designed to be read in one quick sitting. These no fluff books are perfect for people who want an overview about a subject in a short period of time. Table of Contents Why Every Parent Should Prioritize Baby Newborn Care The First Few Weeks: A Critical Time Bonding with Your Newborn Skin-to-Skin Contact: Building Connection Eye Contact and Communication Establishing a Routine Feeding and Nutrition Breastfeeding Benefits Bottle-Feeding: A Nurturing Alternative Sleep and Soothing Techniques Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment Swaddling: The Comfort of Security White Noise and Gentle Sounds Hygiene and Care Bathing Your Newborn Diaper Changing Essentials Emotional Support for Parents Postpartum Mental Health Building a Support Network Preparing for Parenthood Creating a Safe Home Environment Preparing Siblings for the Arrival Enjoying the Journey Frequently Asked Questions

This advocacy brief describes the importance of postnatal care for the health and wellbeing of women and their babies after birth, as well as the right of all women and babies to quality postnatal care and a positive postnatal experience. Its content can support and potentially strengthen advocacy messages and activities related to postnatal care by women’s, parent and community groups, civil society and non-government organizations, community leaders, and other advocates at national, sub-national, health facility and community levels.

WHO and UNICEF have developed a range of tools to facilitate the implementation of the Nurturing care framework. The brochure provides an overview of the essential tools with their links.