Having a newborn baby can be one of the most exciting yet scary times in a parent’s life. For parents, so much of the neonatal period involves learning to bond, care for, and get to know their baby. There is also much uncertainty as babies discover the world around them and parents learn to manage caring for a new baby. One certainty is that being cautious is crucial during this time as babies are rapidly growing, developing, and changing. 

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recently launched a new progress report detailing the need to improve nurturing care around the world. This improvement would require investing more in care, especially in poorer countries. The two organizations emphasize that the first year of a child’s life provides numerous opportunities to improve lifelong well-being.

The report focuses on using the Nurturing Care Framework, which aims to support young children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development. It promotes overall child health by covering nutrition, security, learning, and responsive caregiving. The report found that utilizing the Nurturing Care Framework has increased commitment to early child development worldwide. 

Improving the health of a child goes far beyond enhancing physical health. Their emotional health needs to be considered as well. We must help them develop positive relationships with those around them to improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Read the full article here

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

---