The Evidence for Breastfeeding and Thermal Care: Key Elements of Essential Newborn Care

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By: Stephen Hodgins, Senior Technical Advisor, Saving Newborn Lives, Save the Children

Breastfeeding and thermal care are particularly potent determinants of newborn survival, yet both have received disproportionately little program attention. Save the Children’s Saving Newborn Lives program has published a pair of evidence briefs on early initiation of breastfeeding and thermal care of newborns, which present the epidemiologic argument for increased prioritization of these issues. The briefs address two key elements of “essential newborn care” – important routine care practices that should be provided to all babies regardless of whether they are born at home or in a facility…read more

Is it Time to Retire the Skilled Birth Attendant Indicator?

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By: Stephen Hodgins, Senior Technical Advisor, Saving Newborn Lives, Save the Children

The skilled birth attendant (SBA) indicator may measure coverage, but it does not necessarily measure quality of care. Perhaps for labor and delivery care, we should shift our focus from who is there and where it happens to what is being done and when……read more