Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Routine Care of the Healthy Infant

The first hours of a newborn's life are critical, yet many entering maternal-child health fields find hospital protocols and immediate assessments overwhelming. This text-based guide bridges the gap between academic nursing theory and the practical reality of the newborn nursery. You will develop a systematic approach to assessing, monitoring, and caring for healthy infants from the moment of birth through discharge. By understanding the physiological transitions of a newborn and modern evidence-based practices, you will gain the confidence needed to provide exceptional care and support new families. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the physiological transitions of a newborn immediately following birth. 2. Perform comprehensive head-to-toe physical assessments on healthy neonates. 3. Apply evidence-based practices such as immediate skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping. 4. Administer routine newborn medications, screenings, and preventative care safely. 5. Recognize early signs of neonatal distress and know when to escalate care. 6. Guide parents through essential newborn education, including safe sleep and feeding basics. The course begins with foundational neonatal physiology and immediate delivery room care, then progresses through daily hospital assessments, routine procedures, and parent education. You will read detailed clinical scenarios and practice your decision-making skills through written interactive exercises. This course is designed for aspiring maternal-newborn nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals transitioning into neonatal care, with no advanced prior experience required. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in newborn clinical care.