Nursing care of the newborn involves immediate post-delivery priorities followed by ongoing care focused on physiological transition, infection prevention, feeding, and parental education. Key aspects include: 

Immediate Care After Birth

• Assessment: The Apgar score is used at one and five minutes to quickly evaluate the baby's condition (heart rate, breathing effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and color).
• Warmth & Drying: The baby is immediately and thoroughly dried to prevent hypothermia (heat loss), and wet cloths are removed. The delivery room should be warm and free of drafts.
• Skin-to-Skin Contact: Placing the naked baby on the parent's bare chest helps maintain body temperature, stabilizes heart and breathing rates, reduces crying, and promotes bonding and early breastfeeding. This should be maintained for at least the first hour or until the first feeding is complete.
• Breathing Support: Most healthy newborns breathe spontaneously. If the baby is not breathing well, the nurse stimulates them by rubbing their back or prepares for resuscitation if needed.
• Delayed Cord Clamping: The umbilical cord clamping is delayed for at least 60 seconds to allow for optimal blood transfer, which improves iron stores.
• Prophylactic Medications: Vitamin K is administered via injection to prevent serious bleeding, and antibiotic eye ointment or drops may be given to prevent eye infections from bacteria in the birth canal. 

Ongoing Nursing Care

• Feeding: Nurses help initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first hour. Babies should be fed on demand (8-12 times in 24 hours). For breastfed infants, a vitamin D supplement is recommended.
• Hygiene & Cord Care: The first bath is typically delayed for at least 24 hours to preserve the protective vernix on the skin and prevent heat loss. The umbilical cord stump should be kept clean and dry; nothing should be applied to it unless advised by a healthcare provider.
• Safe Sleep: Education on safe sleep practices is a crucial nursing responsibility. This includes always placing the baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface free of soft objects, pillows, or loose bedding to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
• Monitoring Health: Nurses perform ongoing assessments of the baby's temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, weight, length, and head circumference. They monitor for health problems such as jaundice, feeding issues, and signs of infection.
• Parental Education: A primary role is teaching parents how to care for their newborn, including diapering, bathing, cord care, recognizing hunger cues, and identifying "danger signs" that require medical attention.
• Infection Prevention: Strict hand hygiene is essential for anyone handling the newborn.