The document provides guidance on caring for newborns in the postnatal ward. It outlines steps for examining newborns to identify any issues, including checking breathing, temperature, jaundice and ensuring they pass urine and meconium. It also describes assessing breastfeeding by observing attachment and suckling over 4 minutes. The postnatal room environment should be warm without drafts and mothers should be counseled on keeping babies warm, breastfeeding frequently and hygiene practices.

1. CARE OF NEWBORN IN
POSTNATAL WARD
B.SUDHA,
PROFESSOR,
VMCON, PUDUCHERRY.

2. CARE OF NEWBORN IN POSTNATAL
WARD
Learning Objectives
After completion of this section the participant
should be able to-
• Examine all new borns to detect any signs of
illness
• Identify and manage new borns who need
special care

3. The postnatal environment
• A postnatal room should be kept warm with
no draughts from open doors or windows.
• A temperature of 25ºC is kept.
• Rooming in-Bonding, Breastfeeding
• Good communication

4. Ask the mother
• Does she or the baby have any problems and
record what she says
• Has the infant passed stools? Meconium should
be passed by 24 hours. Passage after 24 hours is
NOT NORMAL and needs investigation
• Has the infant passed urine? Urine is passed by 48
hours. It is NOT NORMAL if not passed by 48 hours.
• Have you started breast feeding the infant?
• Is there any difficulty in feeding the infant?

5. Examine the baby
• Count the breaths in one minute.
• Look for severe chest indrawing.
• Look and listen for grunting.
• Look at the umbilicus. Is it red or draining pus?
• Look for skin pustules. Are there 10 or more pustules or a big boil?
• Measure axillary temperature (if not possible, feel for fever or low body
temperature):
• Normal (36.5-37.4º C)
• Mild hypothermia (36.0-36.4º C/ cold feet)
• Moderate hypothermia (32.0º C – 35.9º C, cold feet and abdomen)
• Severe hypothermia (< 32º C)
• Fever (≥ 37.5º C/ feels hot)
• See if young infant is lethargic
• Look for jaundice. Are the face, abdomen or soles yellow?
• Look for malformations

6. Assess Breastfeeding
• If infant has not fed in the previous hour, ask the mother to
put her infant to the breast. Observe the breastfeed for 4
minutes.
• Is the infant able to attach? check attachment
• If not well attached, help the mother to position so that the
baby attaches well to the breast.
• Is the infant suckling effectively (that is, slow deep sucks,
sometimes pausing)?
• If not sucking well, then look for: ulcers or white patches in
the mouth (thrush).
• If there is difficulty or pain while feeding, then look for
Engorged breasts or breast abcess, Flat or inverted, or sore
nipples

7. Care of baby ----cont’d
• Cord Care
• Skin and Eye Care
• Vitamin K
• Counsel the mother
• Warmth.
• Breastfeed frequently.
• Advise mother to wash hands with soap and water after
using the toilet and after cleaning the bottom of the baby.
• Advise mother regarding danger signs and care seeking.
• Immunization
• Follow-up

8. THANK U