Maternal venepuncture, including glucose tolerance testing
47Maternal venepuncture, including glucose tolerance testing Venepuncture is the entering of a needle into a vein in order to obtain a specimen of blood. Venepuncture can also be used for…
Other feeding methods
45Other feeding methods For the newborn baby to survive and thrive it must make a successful transition to enteral feeding after birth. Most babies achieve this smoothly and continue to…
Breastfeeding
43Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for human babies, and has nurtured their growth and development for 200 000 years. The effects of feeding babies with modified cows’ milk are still coming…
The term, preterm and growth-restricted baby
40The term, preterm and growth-restricted baby Assessment of gestational age Most babies are born at term and are healthy (Figure 40.1). However, low birthweight (LBW) babies, that is <2.5 kg at…
Overall daily assessment of the term neonate including vital signs and bladder and bowel function
38Overall daily assessment of the term neonate including vital signs and bladder and bowel function For most term neonates adapting to extrauterine life is a normal physiological event. But in…
Appearance and characteristics of the well term neonate
37Appearance and characteristics of the well term neonate Appearance A term baby is one born between 37 and 42 weeks’ gestation. The dermis is well formed and the skin is…
Hand hygiene
2Hand hygiene Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) cost the health service millions of pounds per year, as well as causing women and their families unnecessary suffering and concern. In the mid 1800s,…
