Buzz
Reduced body temperature is a common condition in newborns, especially during winter. Prolonged low temperatures can lead to hypoglycemia, oxygen deficiency, respiratory failure, and in severe cases, death. When body temperature drops, infants expend a lot of energy and oxygen to maintain warmth. Therefore, warming is one of the crucial initial rescue measures for infants.
Causes of Hypothermia
Causes of hypothermia in newborns include premature and underweight births resulting in insufficient subcutaneous fat, lack of breastfeeding leading to decreased heat production, malnourished infants, choking incidents, and cold weather.
Clinical Manifestations
Clinical manifestations of hypothermia vary in severity. Mild cases are usually asymptomatic, moderate cases may exhibit poor feeding and cold extremities, while severe cases may present with lethargy, decreased activity, weak crying, and signs of respiratory distress.
1. Swaddle Technique
You'll need one large blanket and two smaller ones. Follow the steps as shown in the illustration.
Step 1:
Take a large blanket and roll it into a circular shape, you can adjust it to resemble a fan shape, to fit the length of the baby's body. Then cover it with another blanket.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Use another blanket to cover the baby.
3. Skin-to-Skin Contact
- The baby is wrapped in a diaper, wearing a hat, and socks on hands and feet.
- The mother wears a stretchy shirt.
- Hold the baby with one hand under the neck and back of the baby, the other hand under the baby's bottom.
- Gently lift the chin to support the baby's head and neck from drooping, which could obstruct the baby's airway.
– Place the baby on the mother's chest, lying flat between the mother's breasts in an upright position. The baby's chest should be against the mother's chest, with the baby's head turned to one side, cheek resting on the upper part of the mother's chest, and the baby's abdomen against the upper part of the mother's abdomen; the baby's arms should be spread wide, placed on the mother's breasts, and legs against the mother's abdomen, resembling the posture of a frog clinging to the mother.
– With one hand, the mother supports the baby's head, while the other hand brings the baby's feet out from under the shirt, then pulls the upper part of the shirt up to the baby's ears.
– Switch hands to support the head, adjust the shirt. Finally, pull the bottom part of the shirt down to cover the baby's feet.
Note:
Avoid placing the baby in a horizontal position; refrain from wrapping or swaddling the baby with blankets; minimizing excessive repositioning of the baby throughout the day will limit mother-child interaction and breastfeeding.
