Guidance to Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Healthy from Coursera

In your previous 2 courses, you learned some medical interventions and skills to keep newborns healthy in the days and weeks after they have been born.  In this course, you will learn some key things that parents will need to do to keep their babies safe and healthy. The Guidance to Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Healthy Course will teach you best practices for how your baby will spend most of their day: eating, sleeping, and sometimes crying. Parents need to understand how to optimize nutrition, how to create a safe and happy sleep environment, how to safely transport their baby in their car, and how to respond to their baby’s crying.

A newborn baby is an amazing beautiful life filled with hope.  There is so much that goes into making sure that babies are born healthy, and so much more to think about after they are born.  Whether you are in the health care field, or even a parent, this course is the perfect educational opportunity for you to keep newborn babies healthy in the days and weeks after they are born!

What's inside

Syllabus

Safe Newborn Sleep

In this module, we will talk all things infant sleep. The videos will cover what to expect with regard to infant sleep in the first month of life and ways to support and improve infant sleep. We will also review recommendations for safe sleep in infancy, including how to talk with parents about safe sleep and answer common questions.

CAR SEAT SAFETY

In this module, we will learn about child passenger safety for infants and young children. This module will cover basic child passenger safety information and provide some tips to educate caregivers on the correct use of car seats, best practice recommendations, and where to find resources in their community to support transporting a child safely.

TEMPERAMENT AND COLIC

In this module we will learn about temperament which is a way of understanding how a person approaches the world. The module also encourages the learner to consider how different temperamental styles interact and how this can impact the parent-child relationship. The module will review typical infant crying, the importance of coregulation, and strategies for soothing a fussy baby.

BREASTFEEDING AND FORMULA FEEDING

In this module we will help you learn about how to support and advocate for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and baby but unfortunately mothers experience challenging in the early weeks. Key questions can help you figure out what issues need to be addressed. Sore nipples and worries about low milk are main concerns in terms of breastfeeding the early weeks. We will teach you about how to manage engorgement, sleepy feedings, tongue tie and mastitis. Return to work or school can be another obstacle to breastfeeding duration so we will offer some strategies to help you support mothers.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Newly minted parents will find this supplemental course helpful

Learners interested in pediatrics or neonatal care will find this course provides a solid foundation

This course appears to be a valuable resource to support new mothers

Reviews summary

Highly informative for new parents

According to students, this course is highly informative and helpful for new and expectant parents. It provides essential knowledge on how to care for and protect a newborn baby. The engaging assignments and practical content are highly praised by learners.

Even healthcare providers found the course to be informative.

"Informative course, ideal for parents. Provides also useful information for guiding parents as a healthcare provider."

"As a medical student, I learned a lot of uniquely new concepts and recommendations from this course."

The course content is practical and interesting.

"Very informative, practical and interesting!"

"Very helpful to gain knowledge about babies care"

Many learners found the course to be very helpful for new parents.

"this course helped me to understand my baby's needs better"

"I enjoyed this course. I would recommend for all mothers of newborns. Lots of great information."

There were some minor issues, such as dead links and a monotonous instructor voice.

"great course, loved itps. although the stanford link listed in week 4 is a dead link"

"it was good and had lots of information. the only thing would be if the instructor would use a different tone in her voice."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Guidance to Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Healthy with these activities:

Read 'The Happiest Baby on the Block'

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This book provides practical tips and advice on how to soothe and care for newborns, including information on infant sleep patterns.

View The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised... on Amazon

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Read the book in its entirety.
Take notes on the key points that you learn from the book.
Discuss the book with your partner, family, or friends.

Practice swaddling a baby

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Swaddling a baby can help them feel secure and comfortable, which can lead to better sleep.

Browse courses on Infant Care

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Gather a blanket and a baby.
Spread the blanket out on a flat surface.
Place the baby on the blanket with their head at the top.
Bring the left corner of the blanket over the baby's body and tuck it under their right arm.
Bring the right corner of the blanket over the baby's body and tuck it under their left arm.
Fold the bottom of the blanket up over the baby's feet.

Discuss newborn care with other parents

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Talking to other parents can help you learn about their experiences and get advice on how to care for your own newborn baby.

Browse courses on Infant Care

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Find a group of parents who have recently had babies.
Meet with the group regularly to discuss newborn care.
Share your experiences and learn from other parents.

Two other activities

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Review breastfeeding techniques

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Breastfeeding can be a wonderful way to bond with your baby and provide them with the nutrients they need. Reviewing proper breastfeeding techniques can help you get off to a good start.

Browse courses on Infant Nutrition

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Read articles or watch videos about breastfeeding.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have about breastfeeding.
Practice breastfeeding with a doll or stuffed animal.

Contribute to a community-based website or app for new parents

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Contributing to a community-based website or app for new parents can help you connect with other parents and share your experiences.

Browse courses on Parenting

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Find a community-based website or app for new parents.
Create an account and start contributing to the community.
Share your experiences and knowledge with other parents.

Career center

Learners who complete Guidance to Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Healthy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Neonatal Nurse

A Neonatal Nurse specializes in the care of newborn babies, providing medical and developmental care in the crucial first days of life. This course will support future and current Neonatal Nurses by providing them with practical knowledge on infant nutrition, sleep, and car seat safety. By understanding key infant caregiving principles, students will strengthen their ability to provide comprehensive care to newborns and support their families during this critical period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neonatal Nurse

Lactation Consultant

Lactation Consultants specialize in supporting breastfeeding mothers and their babies. This course is particularly valuable for aspiring Lactation Consultants as it provides a comprehensive understanding of infant nutrition, including breastfeeding techniques and troubleshooting common challenges. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to effectively guide mothers in establishing and maintaining a successful breastfeeding journey, promoting optimal infant health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lactation Consultant

Infant and Toddler Teacher

Infant and Toddler Teachers provide care and education to infants and toddlers in early childhood settings. This course is highly relevant to aspiring Infant and Toddler Teachers as it provides essential knowledge and skills in infant care. By understanding best practices in infant nutrition, sleep, and safety, students will be better equipped to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for the infants and toddlers in their care, promoting their overall development and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infant and Toddler Teacher

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners, or FNPs, provide primary care to patients of all ages, including newborns. This course is highly beneficial for aspiring FNPs as it equips them with vital knowledge and skills in infant care. By understanding best practices in infant nutrition, sleep, and safety, students will be better prepared to assess and address the specific needs of newborns and support their families in ensuring their well-being.

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Childbirth Educator

Childbirth Educators prepare expectant parents for the labor, birth, and postpartum experience. This course is highly relevant to aspiring Childbirth Educators as it provides valuable knowledge on infant care and safety. By understanding best practices in infant nutrition, sleep, and transportation, students will be better equipped to guide parents in creating a safe and nurturing environment for their newborns. The course empowers students to enhance the overall birthing experience for families.

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Obstetrician-Gynecologist

An Obstetrician-Gynecologist, often referred to as an OB-GYN, specializes in the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. This course is highly relevant to aspiring OB-GYNs as it provides essential knowledge on infant care, ensuring that they are well-equipped to support new mothers and their babies during this important transition. The course will empower students with practical skills in infant nutrition, sleep, and safety, enhancing their ability to provide holistic care to families.

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Nanny

Nannies provide childcare and support to families with children. This course is beneficial for aspiring Nannies as it equips them with practical knowledge and skills in infant care. By understanding best practices in infant nutrition, sleep, and safety, students will be better prepared to care for newborns and ensure their well-being. The course empowers students to provide comprehensive and nurturing care to infants, giving parents peace of mind.

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Pediatrician

Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. Understanding how to care for infants is an important part of practice. Enrolling in this course will benefit the future Pediatrician by providing them critical knowledge on best practices for infant care, including nutrition and sleep. This course may also help aspiring Pediatricians better understand the nuances of infant care when communicating with guardians.

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Doula

Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to families during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. This course is beneficial for aspiring Doulas as it equips them with practical knowledge and skills in infant care. By understanding best practices in infant nutrition, sleep, and safety, students will be better prepared to support families in caring for their newborns and ensuring their well-being during this critical transition.

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Early Intervention Specialist

Early Intervention Specialists provide support and services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. This course may be useful for aspiring Early Intervention Specialists as it provides valuable knowledge on infant development, nutrition, and safety. By understanding the special needs of newborns, students will be better equipped to assess and provide appropriate interventions to promote the optimal development and well-being of infants.

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Healthcare Policy Analyst

Healthcare Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop policies and programs related to healthcare. This course may be useful for aspiring Healthcare Policy Analysts as it provides valuable insights into infant care and safety. By understanding the challenges and opportunities in infant health, students will be better equipped to develop and advocate for policies that promote the well-being of newborns and their families.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses promote the health of communities by providing education, resources, and support on various health issues, including infant care. This course may be useful for aspiring Public Health Nurses as it provides valuable knowledge on infant nutrition, sleep, and safety. By understanding these key aspects of infant care, students will be better equipped to educate and support families in ensuring the well-being of newborns and promoting healthy child development within the community.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and resources to individuals and families facing various challenges, including those related to infant care. This course may be useful for aspiring Social Workers as it provides valuable knowledge on infant nutrition, sleep, and safety. By understanding these key aspects of infant care, students will be better equipped to assess and address the needs of families with newborns, ensuring their well-being and promoting healthy child development.

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Child Life Specialist

Child Life Specialists provide support and coping mechanisms to children and families facing healthcare challenges, including those related to infant care. This course may be useful for aspiring Child Life Specialists as it provides valuable knowledge on infant development, nutrition, and safety. By understanding the unique needs of newborns, students will be better equipped to create age-appropriate interventions and support families in promoting the well-being of their infants during challenging times.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of health and disease in populations. This course may be useful for aspiring Epidemiologists as it provides valuable insights into infant health and safety. By understanding the prevalence and risk factors associated with infant mortality and morbidity, students will be better equipped to conduct research and develop interventions to improve the health outcomes of newborns.

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