The Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) or Unang Yakap is a critical component of newborn care that promotes the health, survival, and well-being of newborns right from the moment they are born. As healthcare professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that every newborn receives the best start in life. The Unang Yakap initiative aims to provide the necessary care that enhances the newborn’s chances of survival and promotes bonding with their parents.
This simple yet powerful intervention involves the following key practices:
- Immediate Skin-to-Skin Contact: After birth, placing the baby on the mother’s chest is crucial for regulating the baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory functions. This contact also promotes early initiation of breastfeeding and strengthens the bond between mother and child.
- Early Initiation of Breastfeeding: Within the first hour of life, breastfeeding is encouraged. Breast milk provides vital nutrients, strengthens the baby’s immune system, and helps in the development of the gut flora, which is essential for the newborn’s health.
- Thermal Protection: Newborns are particularly vulnerable to heat loss, which can lead to hypothermia. Ensuring that babies are kept warm through skin-to-skin contact, dry towels, and appropriate clothing is essential.
- Delayed Cord Clamping: Allowing the cord to stop pulsating before cutting it helps increase the blood volume for the baby, providing an extra boost of iron and reducing the risk of anemia.
- Essential Newborn Care: The newborn should receive a thorough check-up for early signs of infection, jaundice, and other complications. This should be done in a way that prioritizes minimal disruption to the baby’s first moments with the mother.
Why is Unang Yakap so important?
The first hours of a newborn’s life are critical in setting the stage for long-term health and survival. By practicing Early Essential Newborn Care, we provide the baby with the foundation they need for healthy growth, better breastfeeding outcomes, and a stronger immune system. It’s also a moment for the mother to feel empowered, supported, and bonded with her newborn.
For our nurses, back-office, and all healthcare workers involved in this process, it’s essential that we fully embrace the principles of Unang Yakap, not only in theory but in practice. Whether we are directly interacting with the newborn and the mother or supporting the healthcare team behind the scenes, our collective effort ensures the success of this vital program.
By adhering to the guidelines of Early Essential Newborn Care, we stand united in our mission to reduce neonatal mortality and improve the quality of care for our tiniest patients.
