Our approach to understanding the needs of newborn caregivers has provided valuable insights into what truly matters for respectful maternal and newborn care. By engaging with over 5,000 caregivers, we identified several critical areas where decision-makers must focus. Caregivers emphasized the importance of providing respectful and dignified care, ensuring proper water, sanitation, and hygiene to prevent infections, and offering specialized care for premature babies, sick newborns, and those born with anomalies.
Listening to Caregivers: Essential Needs for Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care
More to these priorities, caregivers have highlighted the need for quality immunization and greater health literacy for mothers on how to care for their newborns. They also have called for better birth preparedness, the early detection of high-risk pregnancies, and access to information on the essential components of early neonatal care. These insights underline the importance of listening to caregivers to meet the actual needs of newborns and their mothers effectively.
Prioritizing Newborn Care: Insights from Caregivers
Respectful and Dignified Care
Caregivers emphasized the necessity of treating newborns and their mothers with respect and dignity. This includes not only compassionate interactions but also ensuring that care is tailored to the specific needs of each newborn, particularly those who are vulnerable due to premature birth, illness, or congenital anomalies.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Preventing infections is a top concern for caregivers, who highlighted the critical need for proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in maternal and newborn care settings. Access to clean water and sanitary conditions is essential to safeguard the health of both mothers and newborns.
Health Literacy and Early Neonatal Care
Caregivers stressed the importance of educating mothers on how to care for their newborns, particularly in the early stages of life. Health literacy, including knowledge about immunization, birth preparedness, and detecting high-risk pregnancies, is crucial for empowering mothers to provide the best possible care for their children.