Essential Newborn Care: Resources for Parents

It is crucial for parents to educate themselves about newborn care and medical procedures to make informed decisions about their baby’s health. Knowledge empowers parents to ask the right questions, understand the medical needs of their newborn, and collaborate effectively with healthcare providers. By being well-informed, parents can reduce anxiety, enhance their caregiving abilities, and ensure their baby receives the best possible care.

Each of these leaflets is crafted to provide clear, concise, and comprehensive information to support the health and well-being of newborns. We encourage parents and healthcare providers to explore these resources to enhance their understanding and care practices. For further details, please refer to the individual leaflets available on this webpage.

Orientation

• Parent Orientation

Parent Orientation.pdf

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Benefits of skin-to-skin for Mom and Baby

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

Conditions

• Group B Streptococcus
  Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is bacteria that can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. Download the leaflet below and gain access to crucial information about GBS, potential risks and what you should do.
  Group B Streptococcus.pdf
• Jaundice
  Jaundice is a condition characterised by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Find out more:
   About Jaundice.pdf
• Vitamin K
  Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, and all newborns should receive a Vitamin K injection to prevent bleeding disorders. This leaflet below discusses the importance of Vitamin K, the benefits of the injection, and addresses common questions and concerns from parents.
   Vitamin K.pdf

Child Development

• Developmental Miletones
  • 0 to 6 months
  • 6 to 12 months
  • 12 to 18 months
  • 18 to 24 months
• Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Programme
  This programme is an individualised and comprehensive outpatient follow-up service offered to babies needing intensive care following birth. Find out more below:
   NDCC.pdf
• Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC)
  As an initiative by SGEnable, the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) provides individualized intervention support for children with developmental needs, aiming to optimise their motor, language, social-emotional, learning, and behavioral skills in collaboration with parents. View more information about EIPIC and SGEnable below:
   EIPIC Overview.pdf
• Baby Massage
  Baby massage offers a powerful way to bond with your little one while supporting their development. This gentle practice can help soothe and calm your baby, reduce irritability, relax their muscles, and promote restful sleep. Click to watch our video guide below:
  
  Watch on YouTube