DOH issues neo-natal maternal care guides

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 11, (PIA)—In these times of tribulation, what do mothers or new moms and dads need to do? 

According to the Department of Health, primary among them is making sure everyone is coronavirus free and then follow what medical professionals and health care providers are saying regarding “Unang Yakap,”, breastfeeding, rooming-in and family planning. 

Unang Yakap is the DOH essential newborn care protocol that would help improve the newly-born child’s as well as the mother’s health and care. 

It is an evidence-based intervention that emphasizes on a core sequence of actions to be done and followed methodically, as a time-bound intervention in a sequential format. 

The gist of these interventions include immediate and thorough drying of the infant, early skin-to-skin contact followed by properly-timed clamping and cutting of the cord after 1 to 3 minutes, and non-separation of the newborn from the mother for early breastfeeding initiation and rooming-in. 

For lactating mothers, the health department suggests for them to continue taking iron-folic acid supplements to replenish the loss of blood during child birth, reduce iron deficiency and anemia, which usually occurs in women. 

For mothers, health experts urge them to make it a habit to wash their hands with soap and water before and after cuddling the baby, this reduces the chances of infection and contamination. 

And, health practitioners add, always keep the baby’s and the mom’s room clean and the surroundings free from dirt which might cause infection and contamination. 

When infants and child births are popular topics in barangays, always make sure that the baby is not brought near areas where there are a lot of people. 

Also, with social distancing implemented, it would be good if the mother and the child is given that leeway, at least a meter away from any person, especially if that person is exhibiting signs of colds, cough, fever and respiratory diseases, experts advised. 

With families on quarantine, the situation is perfect for cooking nutritious food, which families can take instead of the usual take-outs and precooked food. Moreover, there’s plenty of time to while away, which is also perfect for a good look at everyone in the family’s personal hygiene. 

Nutritionists however urge people into avoiding salty and fatty or oily foods and sweet foods and beverages, which have the potential to compromise one’s health. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)