Essential Newborn Care: Resources for Parents

• Parent Orientation
  A comprehensive guide which overviews the do's and don'ts of infection control, security, and more for newborns. Download the leaflet:
   Parent Orientation.pdf
  

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Feeding

• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is the natural way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Breast milk is uniquely tailored to meet an infant's nutritional needs, changing in composition as the baby grows. Visit these pages below:
• Breastfeeding Preparation
  
• Breastfeeding Tips
  
• End-to-End Infant Feeding Guide
  
• Pasteurized Human Donor Milk (PHDM)
  PHDM is often used as an alternative feeding option for preterm or ill infants when mother's milk is unavailable, providing essential nutrients and protective factors to support their growth and development. Download a leaflet in your preferred language to learn more:
   Information for Recipients of Pasteurized Human Donor Milk (English).pdf
   Information for Recipients of Pasteurized Human Donor Milk (Chinese).pdf

Screening

• Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
• Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency:
  G6PD, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, is a crucial enzyme present in red blood cells. This protein plays a vital role in safeguarding these cells against damage. As part of standard newborn care, all babies undergo routine screening for G6PD deficiency using a sample of cord blood collected at birth. 
   G6PD.pdf
  
• Congenital Hypothyroidism:
  Babies who have congenital hypothyroidism are unable to make thyroid hormones for various reasons. Find out more about how you can understand your baby's condition, so your baby can lead a healthy life through early detection and appropriate treatment
   Congenital Hypothyroidism.pdf
  
• Inborn errors of metabolism: 
  The inborn errors of metabolism are a large group of genetic diseases involving problems with enzyme activities.  Find out more about how newborn babies are screened and managed for inborn errors of metabolism, so your baby can lead a healthy life.
   Inborn errors of metabolism.pdf
  

Procedures 

• Lumbar Puncture
  Lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, involves collecting cerebrospinal fluid from a baby’s lower back.  This procedure may be used to diagnose or rule out serious infections and conditions. Read more below:
  Lumbar Puncture.pdf
• Umbilical Venous Catheter
  An umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is used to administer fluids, medications, and nutrition directly into a baby’s bloodstream. This leaflet explains the procedure, indications, and care required to ensure the catheter remains effective and safe for your baby.
   Umbilical Venous Catheter.pdf
• Umbilical Artery Catheter
  An umbilical artery catheter (UAC) is used in newborns for monitoring blood pressure and obtaining blood samples. Understand the insertion process, potential risks, and aftercare in the leaflet below:
   Umbilical Artery Catheter.pdf
• Insertion of Long Line
  A long line is a type of intravenous catheter used to deliver medications and nutrients directly into a baby’s bloodstream over a prolonged period. This leaflet details the procedure and reasons for its use, helping parents understand the importance of this intervention in neonatal care.
  Long Line Insertion.pdf
• Intra-Arterial Line
  An intra-arterial line is a thin catheter inserted into an artery, typically used for monitoring blood pressure and taking blood samples in critically ill newborns. Learn about the indications for its use, insertion process, and care required to maintain the line to ensure accurate monitoring.
  Intra-arterial Line.pdf
• Bladder Catheterisation
  Bladder catheterisation is a procedure used to drain urine from a baby’s bladder. This leaflet explains the reasons why this procedure might be necessary, and the steps involved.
  Bladder Catheterisation.pdf