Newborns’ Basic Needs

• Newborns have four basic needs immediately after birth: warmth, breathing, feeding and protection.
• Warmth: Newborns are prone to heat loss through conduction, convection, evaporation and radiation. To prevent hypothermia, they should be dried thoroughly, placed skin-to-skin with the mother, covered with a dry cloth and a hat, and delayed bathing until 24 hours after birth or until the cord falls off.
• Breathing: Newborns need to establish effective respiration after birth. They should be stimulated by rubbing their back or feet, and suctioned gently if necessary. If they do not breathe or cry within 30 seconds, they should receive positive pressure ventilation with a bag and mask.
• Feeding: Newborns need to receive colostrum, the first breast milk, within the first hour of life. Colostrum is rich in antibodies, nutrients and growth factors that protect the newborn from infections and promote growth and development. Breastfeeding also helps the mother’s uterus contract and reduces postpartum bleeding.
• Protection: Newborns need to be protected from infections and injuries. They should receive routine immunizations, such as hepatitis B vaccine, within 24 hours of birth. They should also receive prophylactic eye ointment (erythromycin) and vitamin K injection within 1 hour of birth. Their umbilical cord should be clamped and cut with sterile instruments, and kept dry and clean until it falls off. If they undergo circumcision, they should receive appropriate pain relief and wound care.