C.

NEWBORN
HEALTH
( 0 – 28 days old )
 NEWBORN HEALTH
The newborn phase of the life-cycle
approach covers discussions on the
different roles and responsibilities of
BHWs in promoting the ff :

 Essential Intrapartum and Newborn care

 Newborn screening
 Breastfeeding Programs of the DOH
 ESSENTIAL INTRAPARTUM and
NEWBORN CARE (EINC)

The 4 important interventions during the

immediate postpartum phase of pregnancy:

1. Immediate drying
2. Skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping
3. Non-separation of baby from mother
4. Exclusive breastfeeding
ROLE OF BHW
UNDER THE NEWBORN PACKAGE PROGRAM,
adequately trained BHWs are expected to
identify and record the eligible population of
their household catchment areas who have
newborn babies.

They are not expected to be able to

comprehensively discuss all the elements of
intrapartum and newborn care to the eligible
population
BHWs SHOULD DO
1. All pregnancies are considered high-risk and
should be delivered only by adequately trained
health personnel, in a health facility or a DOH-
accredited birthing facility.
However, in extreme situations where home or
transit delivery is unavoidable, the BHWs may
do the following for the RHM or any other
trained personnel to arrive.
A. Using a clean,dry cloth, thoroughly dry the baby
and wipe the face, eyes, head, front and back,
arms and legs.
BHWs SHOULD DO
B. if a baby is crying and breathing normally, place
the newborn prone on the mother’s abdomen
and cover newborn’s back with a blanket and
the baby’s head with a bonnet to prevent
hypothermia.
DO NOT MANIPULATE or clamp the umbilical cord.
Neonatal sepsis or neonatal tetanus can be
caused by unsterile materials and environment.
BHWs SHOULD DO
2. Using the latest family profiling and risk assessment form for
newborns/ infants, gather the following data during your 1 st
postpartum visit.
a. Name of newborn or infant
b. Name of parents
c. Date of birth
d. Place of delivery
e. Type of delivery
f. Date registered at the municipal registry
g. Compliance to newborn program of the DOH
 BCG or HEPA B immunization
 newborn screening
 breastfeeding
BHWs SHOULD DO
3. Encourage mothers to have their newborn vaccinated
and screened on time.
4. To prevent neonatal sepsis, educate mothers on proper
cord care (e.g. keeping the umbilical cord dry without
any dressing or any material, alcohol or betadine)
5. Immediately refer the newborn to your RHM or nearest
health facility if there are any of the following:
a. poor suck, cry or activity
b. foul-smelling discharge on the umbilicus
c. Yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes for more
than 2 weeks
d. Difficulty of breathing
BHWs SHOULD DO
6. Educate mothers on the importance of
breastfeeding and proper breastfeeding
techniques.
7. Assist the mothers in registering their newborn
to the local civil registry.
 NEWBORN SCREENING
Newborn screening is a practical procedure to determine the
possibility of having a congenital metabolic disorder that MAY
LEAD TO MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEATH, IF NOT
DETECTED EARLY AND APPROPRIATELY TREATED.

WHEN IT SHOULD BE DONE

It is done ideally in the first 24 hours of life but not later than 3
days after complete delivery. The procedure ios performed not
only by a physician, nurse, trained midwife or medical
technologist.
WHERE IT CAN BE AVAILED
It is available in hospitals, lying-in clinics, rural health
units, health centers and some private clinics
 ROLE OF BHW

They are expected to assist RHMs in identifying

within their household catchment areas who
are qualified to undergo newborn screening or
those who are born within 24-72 hours.

They are expected to assist in the information

campaign on newborn screening (e.g. inform
the community of the nearest health facility
that conducts newborn screening)
BHWs SHOULD DO
1. Assist the mother in identifying the
nearest newborn screening facility within
the community

2. If mothers are residing in far-flung areas or

geographically isolated areas, assist the
mother in the follow-up of results, if
necessary.
 BREASTFEEDING
BREASTFEEDING is best for babies during the first 6 months of
life and may be initiated within 30 minutes after birth by initiating
skin-to-skin contact.
It may be continued until 2 years old and beyond.
It is always available , safe, and economical.

COLOSTRUM is The first few drops of breast milk that contains

high level of antibodies which can increase their babies’ resistance
against common infections (e.eg. Diarrhea, pneumonia).
 EXCLUSIVE
BREASTFEEDING
EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding
• Giving only breast milk without water, other liquids,
tea, herbal preparation or other food and fluid intake
for the first 6 months of life.

• For working mothers, they can still continue

breastfeeding by storing expressed breastmilk in a
clean, safe and cool place that is properly labeled
and covered or they may bring along with them their
babies if there is a breastfeeding area within their
office or establishment
 HOW TO STORE BREAST MILK
Key points in storing milk:
Expressed breast milk that is not refrigerated can be
stored for at least 8 hours at room temperature
When stored in a refrigerator, it is good for 24 hours
When stored in a freezer compartment of the
refrigerator of the refrigerator, it is good for 2 weeks
When stored in a freezer section or refrigerator with
separate door, it is good for 3 months
When stored in deep freeze in 18 C or lower, it is
good for 6-12 months
BHWs SHOULD DO
1. Teach the mother how to perform the proper
techniques for breastfeeding
a. Wash nipples with a clean cloth and warm water
before and after every breastfeeding.
b. To prevent breast swelling or engorgement,
breastfeed at least every 2-3 hours and use both
breast at each feeding
c. After breastfeeding or washing the nipple leave some
breast milk on the nipple and allow them to air dry.
d. Breastfeed whenever the baby showed signs of
hunger(e.g. sucking fingers or moving lips)
BHWs SHOULD DO
e. Allow the baby to suck at the areola of the
mother's breast and not just the nipples to
allow free flow of breast milk
f. At each feeding , encourage the baby to empty
the breast and then offer the other breast.

2. Using the latest materials on proper positions

for breastfeeding, teach the mother these
positions during post partum or household
visits.
BHWs SHOULD DO
a. Key points in helping a mother position a baby
i. baby’s head and body in line
ii. Baby’s head held close to the mother's body
iii. Baby’s whole body supported
iv. Baby approaches breast, nose to nipple

b. Signs of good attachment:

i. Mouth widely open
ii. Lower lip turned upward
iii. Chin touching the breast
iv. More of the areola is seen above the baby's mouth
than below it
BHWs SHOULD DO
3. Encourage the mother to maintain good nutrition and
avoid alcohol and tobacco, which can decrease milk
production
Nutritional advice for lactating mothers:
 Eat at least 2 additional servings of staple food per day
 Eat at least 3 additional se4rvbings of calcium-rich foods
(e.g. dark green leafy vegtables, sardines, milk/ dairy
products per day
 Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids (2 liters) each day
 Eat smaller, moire frequent meals if unable to consume
larger amounts in fewer meals
 Take micronutrient supplements such as iron and iodine
through the use of iodized salt as directed
BHWs SHOULD DO
4. Encourage the mother to join
breastfeeding support groups within the
community to help her know more about
the proper techniques for breastfeeding
and some practical answers to commonly
asked questions about breastfeeding.

5. Refer to the RHM if the mother

experiences difficulty in breastfeeding