Neonatal and Infant Anticipatory Guidance (Parent Education)

Neonatal and Infant Anticipatory Guidance (Parent Education)

·        Consider the topics for discussion about a neonate:

o   Vision and hearing: Can your baby hear and see (how do you know?) 

o   SIDS prevention: sleep on back, ¯smoke exposure, breast feeding, nothing over head when sleeping 

o   Immunisation: the schedule, genuine and non-genuine contra-indications, common myths, benefits and risks  

o   Maternal mental health: screening and assessing for post-natal depression

o   6 week screening: dysmorphic features, cleft lip and palate, growth, eyes, heart, hips

o   Contraceptive advice

o   Smoke cessation

o   Always ask why has the mother really presented

·        When neonatal and/or later, consider the following:

o   Recognition of illness, emergency contacts

o   Feeding: breast feeding and maternal nutrition, introducing solids, nutrition

o   CPR

o   Parenting skills: eg management strategies for sleep and toddler behaviour, toileting, eating 

o   Injury prevention: seat belts, fire safety, falls, hot water, sun exposure, poisoning, safe child care, pools, playgrounds, road 

o   When to expect which developmental milestones. Reassure for parents. Also early identification ® early intervention 

o   Developmental needs of kids: play, language, nutrition, social etc