Hesperian Health Guides
Danger Signs for the Baby at Birth
HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Chapter 6: Pregnancy and Birth > Danger Signs for the Baby at Birth
Contents
Baby born too early or too small
A baby born before 8 months is born too early. A baby that weighs less than 2500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) is born too small. These babies need special care.
Treatment:
More Informationbreastfeeding |
Baby does not breathe
A baby must begin to breathe on its own within 1 to 2 minutes after the cord becomes white or the placenta separates from the womb wall. A baby who does not start to breathe can suffer serious brain injury or death.
What to do:
Clear the baby's mouth and nose, and firmly rub its back and feet. If the baby still does not start to breathe, do rescue breathing:
- Lay the baby on its back on a hard surface, like a table or the floor, on a cloth or blanket to keep it warm. Do not cover its chest.
- Open the baby’s throat by tilting the head back slightly
- Put your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose. Breathe into the baby using only as much air as you can easily hold in your cheeks. Give about 40 breaths every minute. Let the baby breathe out between puffs.
- The baby’s belly and chest should rise and fall with each breath. If the belly stays up, it means that air is going into the baby’s stomach, not its lungs. Try changing the position of the head. Make sure nothing is blocking the throat.
Chest and abdomen rise. |
 Chest and belly fall between puffs. |
IMPORTANT! The new baby’s lungs are very delicate. If you blow too hard, you will harm them. Blow little puffs of air from your cheeks and not from your chest.
Sources
- World Health Organization (2017) Managing complications in pregnancy and childbirth
- American Heart Association (2020) Part 5: Neonatal Resuscitation
- World Health Organization (2015) Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care: A guide for essential practice (3rd edition)
This page was updated:29 May 2025