A newborn infant, also known as a neonate, is a child who is less than 28 days old. The newborn is most likely to die within the first 28 days of birth only due to poor health circumstances. The vast majority of newborn and infants deaths occur in developing countries with limited access to health care.
Building strong health systems, ensuring that every birth is attended by skilled personnel, and making hospital care available for emergencies is essential for promoting child survival. It is critical to provide early and exclusive breastfeeding. It is also important to provide proper feeding and care to increase the child’s chances of survival.
Did you know?
Complications from preterm delivery are the primary cause of death in children under the age of five. In 2015, it was blamed for almost 1 million deaths.
Here are some tips for keeping your newborn and infants in good health:
1. Vaccinate
This is divided into two categories:
- vaccines for your infant
- and vaccinations for those people around them.
Newborns will only receive their Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, with the rest given at later dates over the next four years.
As a result, it’s a good thing to make sure that all adults – including caregivers, family, and friends – and all children over the age of six months are up to date on their vaccination schedule, as suggested by your doctor.
2. Dress your newborn and infants appropriately
Make sure your infant is dressed warmly, which may be a little warmer than you are. However, be careful not to over-layer them. Being too hot and sweaty can lead to dehydration and, as a result, an increased risk of getting sick.
3. Breastfeeding is recommended but isn’t your only option
According to the WHO, breastfeeding should be the main food source for infants up to 6 months of age. Breast milk can be beneficial to your baby’s health. It provides your newborn with the mother’s antibodies and a higher level of immunity.
Breastfeeding, on the other hand, isn’t always the right option for mothers. Up to 86 percent of Australian infants up to six months may not be breastfed entirely, instead of supplementing or substituting with infant milk formulas. However, there is much debate about the best approach to the formula. But, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor about what is best for you and your infant.
4. Ensure your child is hydrated
Keep an eye on your baby’s hydration levels. Hydration supports the function of mucus membranes and the respiratory tract. Both of these are essential for good health. Keep your baby hydrated, whether with breast milk, infant formula, or water. As a general rule, they could wet at least four to six nappies per day.
5. Check spaces for hazards
Of course, colds, flu, and germs aren’t the only things that can harm your newborn’s health. Check for potential risks around the home as soon as your baby starts crawling and moving around. Look for places where they could go (such as stairs), dangerous water zones such as pet bowls, objects they could choke on, toxic household cleaners, and so on.
6. Avoid overusing the humidifier
A humidifier may help to alleviate the symptoms of dry, harsh weather. But overdoing it could harm your baby. Make sure your humidifier is cleaned and sterilized regularly. Be aware of running it too much may encourage mold growth in your child’s room. This can cause respiratory issues.
7. Brush their teeth
Even in infants, good dental hygiene promotes good health. Brushing your baby’s teeth should begin as soon as they appear.
How shall newborn and infants healthcare differ from adult one?
According to one review, a doctor’s attitude towards saving newborns should differ from saving an adult.
Healthcare services provided to newborns and infants differ significantly from those provided to adults. This information will let you know some of these key differences, allowing you to feel more prepared.
What are the differences between newborn and infants healthcare and adult healthcare?
Differences include:
- Being afflicted with a serious illness is not a “normal” condition for most children. This presents new challenges in caring for children and their families.
- Their family member usually makes Medical decisions for young children. But Adult patients can make their own choices.
- A play therapist, child life therapist, or child behavioral specialist may be involved in pediatric palliative care.
When it comes to traumatic injuries, there are significant differences between children and adults. So it is critical to seek care at a Trauma Center dedicated to caring for children. Here are some more examples:
- A child’s heart and vascular system differ from that of an adult. When a child has a bleeding episode, health workers cannot use adult criteria to check the patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, and temperature. It is because a child’s criteria are different. As a result, they may miss important signs of severe blood loss.
- Fractures cause a variety of injury patterns. Children’s bones are more flexible and do not fracture as quickly as adults’. So a broken bone can have a much larger impact on a child’s body than an adult’s.
- Young children are more likely than older children and adults to have neck and head injuries. Pediatric emergency room specialists are required to look for warning signs of head and neck injuries in infants.
How Does Newborn and Infants Medicine Differ From Adult Medicine?
- Pediatric medicine is more complicated than “miniaturized” adult medicine. Aside from the clear differences in body size between newborn and infants and adult patients, there are a few other factors to consider. Because the majority of newborn and infants patients are still growing physically. At the same time, pediatricians must pay special attention to their care for growth and developmental issues that are not commonly seen in adult patients.
- When compared to therapies for adults with comparable conditions, these factors significantly impact the course of care prescribed by pediatric health specialists.
- Because pediatric medicine is primarily concerned with children’s health, patient consent is extremely important to pediatricians. In the US, a parent or legal guardian must provide permission for a pediatrician to care for the children. This need for consent should ideally not interfere with the child’s welfare. But it is something that pediatric care providers must still be aware of and sensitive to.
- Finally, because pediatric patients are constantly maturing intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically, pediatricians must be able to deal with the challenges that come with these changes. While all doctors must regularly navigate patient emotions and personalities, caring for children can be especially difficult. Pediatricians must have a great deal of patience and empathy to communicate successfully with children and their families and provide the best possible care in the office and home.
The Bottom Line
In their first years of life, newborns and infants need a great deal of care and attention. By taking these extra precautions, you can help your infant from being severely ill at a time when their immune systems are still developing.
Even on a good day, parenting is difficult. Consult your health care provider or a mental health provider if you are depressed or having difficulty adjusting to life with a newborn and infants.
