First day in the world
What happens to the baby immediately after birth? Ensuring the baby has uninterrupted contact with its mother is one of the main priorities of our care.
Read the articleFirst swim
The first bath takes place in the mother’s room, during which we also teach the parents how to care for their baby according to their individual needs. We usually postpone bathing until 24 hours after birth, subject to agreement with the parents. Given the sensitivity of a newborn’s skin, daily bathing is not recommended during the first 14 days of life. Provided the genital area and any areas of nappy rash are properly cared for, a bath once every 2–3 days, or as needed, is sufficient.
Read the articleVitamin K
Vitamin K Kanavit is administered to all newborns, usually between 2 and 6 hours after birth, as a preventive measure against haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. We prefer a single injection of vitamin K. At the parents’ request, it can be administered in drop form, but this requires continuing the vitamin K treatment 1 drop once a week until the child is 12 weeks old.
Read the articleObservation box
In some cases, a doctor may recommend that a baby be placed in the neonatal observation unit, where the baby is monitored by medical equipment and, if necessary, receives treatment. The observation unit is part of the neonatal ward and is located close to the rooms for mothers. Here, we care for babies with postnatal adaptation difficulties, mild immaturity, low birth weight, or those from high-risk pregnancies or following a complicated birth. We are ready to inform you at any time about your baby’s current health, answer your questions and allay your concerns. Parents’ access to the neonatal unit is not subject to visiting hours; it is unrestricted and we actively encourage parents to visit. A breastfeeding chair for mothers is available near the incubator or heated cot. We involve parents in their child’s care as soon as possible.
Read the articleNewborn screening
We carry out screening examinations in the presence of the parents; we try to group the examinations together and schedule them for times when the child is calm, content and, ideally, has just been fed.
Read the articleImmunisation against the RS virus
We offer optional immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus RSV. Beyfortus Nirsevimab is a ready-made monoclonal antibody which, once administered, provides immediate protection against RSV infection for several months. It is therefore not a conventional vaccination, which triggers a response from the child’s immune system, but rather ‘passive immunisation’ using a ready-made antibody.
Read the articleNeonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice affects more than half of full-term babies, and in most cases, simply monitoring the condition is sufficient. We use a contact device – a bilirubinometer – to monitor the progression of neonatal jaundice. This is a painless test that forms part of the morning or, if necessary, evening rounds. In indicated cases, it is necessary to determine the level of bilirubin a yellow pigment in the blood more precisely.
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