Essential Newborn Care, Unang Yakap Campaign

March 7, 2010 | By Anna Katharina In Family,Nurse Quad,Period of Life |

The Department of Health embarked on Essential Newborn Care , a new program

to address neonatal deaths in the country. Under the umbrella of the Unang Yakap
Campaign, Essential Newborn Care is an evidenced based strategic intervention
aimed at improving newborn care and helping cub neonatal mortality.

The Essential Newborn Care package is a four-step newborn care time-

bound intervention undertaken to lessen newborn death.

1. Immediate and thorough drying to stimulate breathing after delivery of the

baby
2. Provision of appropriate thermal care through mother and newborn skin-to
skin contact maintaining a delivery room temperature of 25-28 degrees
centigrade and wrapping the newborn with clean, dry cloth.
3. Properly timed clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, (1-3 minutes or
until cord pulsation stops)
4. Non-separation of the newborn and mother for early breast-feeding.
Immediate latching on and initiation of breastfeeding within first hour after
birth.

Post-natal care required within 24 hours after birth also includes

 Cord care
 Breastfeeding
 Vitamin K injection
 Eye prophylaxis
 Delayed bathing until 6 hours of life
 BCG and first dose of Hepatitis B Immunization
 Newborn screening