270 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
CARE OF THE NEWBORN BABY
The Cord
To prevent the freshly cut cord from becoming infected, it should be kept clean
and dry. The drier it is, the sooner it will fall off and the navel will heal. For this reason,
it is better not to use a belly band, or if one is used, to keep it very loose (see p. 184
and 263).
The Eyes
To protect a newborn baby’s eyes from dangerous
conjunctivitis, put a line of 1% tetracycline or
erythromycin 0.5% to 1% ointment in each eye within
the first 2 hours (p. 221 and 378). This is especially
important if either parent has ever had signs of
gonorrhea or chlamydia (p. 236).
Keeping the Baby Warm—but Not Too Warm
Protect the baby from cold, but also from too much heat. Dress him as warmly as
you feel like dressing yourself.
IN COLD WEATHER
BUT IN HOT WEATHER (OR
WHEN THE BABY HAS A FEVER)
WRAP THE BABY WELL.
LEAVE HIM NAKED.
To keep a baby just warm enough, keep him close to his mother’s body. This is
especially important for a baby that is born early or very small. See ‘Special Care for
Small, Early, and Underweight Babies’, p. 405.
Cleanliness
It is important to follow the Guidelines of Cleanliness as discussed in Chapter 12.
Take special care with the following:
♦ Change the baby’s diapers (nappy) or bedding each time he wets or dirties them.
If the skin gets red, change the diaper more often—or better, leave it off!
(See p. 215.)
♦ After the cord drops off, bathe the baby daily with mild soap and warm water.
♦ If there are flies or mosquitos, cover the baby’s crib with mosquito netting or
a thin cloth.
♦ Persons with open sores, colds, sore throat, tuberculosis, or other infectious
illnesses should not touch or go near the newborn baby or the woman while she
is giving birth.
♦ Keep the baby in a clean place away from smoke and dust.