Newborn Resuscitation

Newborns must transition from the fluid-filled womb to breathing air and adjust their blood flow through their heart and lungs in the first few minutes of life.  This process is call "transition". This usually takes place with the baby placed skin to skin with the parent. The care of newborns includes close observation and support of this normal transition and recognition if difficulties arise. If your baby has trouble breathing, they may need to be resuscitated immediately. Resuscitation may involve reviving or restoring breathing, heart beating or other signs of life.
Doctors, nurses, midwives, and respiratory therapists are all trained to rapidly recognize when a newborn baby needs to be resuscitated. If your baby needs help breathing at or after birth your healthcare provider may try several things including placing your baby in a warmer to prevent heat loss, suctioning their mouth and nose, ventilating them with a bag and mask, inserting a breathing tube, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and giving them drugs to increase their heart rate and improve the flow of blood around their body.

For more information on newborn resuscitation, types of breathing problems your baby may encounter, and guides on how to perform CPR on your baby, please see the resources below.

• KidsHealth from Nemours - Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)

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• Medline Plus - Changes in the newborn at birth