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5 things nurses always do before holding a newborn baby

Allana AkhtarFeb 5, 2023, 17:43 IST

A newborn baby may remain on the umbilical cord for a few minutes right after delivery.Getty Images

Insider spoke with Lily Steeg RN, a labor and delivery nurse based in Georgia, on how she cares for a newborn immediately after delivery.
Nurses clean vernix, a "cheesy" white substance, off a newborn and make sure it isn't "floppy" before holding the baby.

Nurses check the color of the baby right after birth.

Babies can appear blue or pale right after delivery.Shutterstock

Nurses check to see if a baby isn't "floppy."

Healthy babies are flexing their arms and legs when they are born.Getty Images

While the baby is still attached to the umbilical cord, nurses clean the "cheesy" white substance off.

Vernix is the white film a newborn baby is covered with after delivery.Getty Images

If the newborn is healthy, nurses clamp and cut the umbilical cord about a minute after delivery.

How long a baby remains on the umbilical cord depends on hospital policy, according to a labor and delivery nurse.Getty Images

Nurses make sure the newborn is warm before placing it on a mother for skin-to-skin contact.

Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults, and lose heat quickly.PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images

A nurse recommends washing your hands before holding your newborn.

Hospitals may or may not have formal hygiene protocols for caregivers that wish to hold a newborn.Getty Images

Eggs do not cause blood clots — they're safe and nutritious to eat, according to dietitians and evidence