A tender moment between two parents and their newborn, symbolising the importance of family-centred newborn care. © Pexels Every newborn deserves care that protects their dignity and rights from the moment of birth. Yet, this global systematic review reveals that many infants experience disrespect and even abuse in healthcare facilities. Drawing on data from ten studies across Africa, Asia, and the United States, the research explored how newborns are treated after childbirth and identified factors that increase the risk of mistreatment. The findings show that disrespectful and unsafe practices, such as unnecessary procedures without consent, separation from mothers, or lack of breastfeeding support, remain widespread. The study highlights an urgent need to prioritise respectful newborn care as a core part of quality healthcare worldwide. Many countries have made progress in improving survival rates for mothers and infants. However, the quality of care provided immediately after birth often fails to meet international recommendations. Disrespectful practices during newborn care not only violate infants’ basic rights but also undermine parents’ trust in the health system. Simple yet essential actions such as drying, skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and timely breastfeeding are sometimes neglected or carried out without parental consent, revealing persistent gaps between policy and practice. The review included research from diverse settings, analysing data on how infants were treated during and after delivery. It found that newborns frequently experienced unnecessary medical procedures, poor communication from staff, and separation from their mothers without medical reason. Many parents reported not being informed about their infant’s care, and in some cases, caregivers failed to obtain consent before performing procedures. Physical handling such as slapping or shaking, or withholding breastfeeding guidance, were also reported, demonstrating a lack of standardised respectful care practices.   Reveals about disrespectful newborn care Across the studies, between 18 and 92 percent of infants were exposed to at least one form of disrespect or abuse. Key risk factors included preterm birth, being born to single or low-income mothers, and births assisted by instruments. Female infants were more likely than males to experience mistreatment. Infants born to mothers with limited education or those living in rural areas were also more likely to face inadequate care. Alarmingly, medical interventions without consent were common: up to 63 percent of newborns in some facilities were treated without their parents’ permission. Additional findings revealed missed opportunities for essential newborn care. Many infants were not placed in skin-to-skin contact, not breastfed within the first hour, or separated from their mothers without justification. Such practices can disrupt bonding, delay feeding, and increase stress for both infants and parents. The review also noted that when mothers themselves experienced abuse during childbirth, their newborns were more likely to be mistreated, suggesting a link between maternal and newborn care experiences.   Moving towards dignified and safe care The study emphasises that respectful newborn care is a fundamental human right. Training healthcare providers to follow evidence-based practices and communicate clearly with parents can significantly improve outcomes. Policies should ensure that no infant is denied care due to gender, family background, or socioeconomic status. Strengthening pre-service and in-service education on ethics, communication, and consent is crucial to creating a lasting culture of compassion and respect within maternity and neonatal care settings. Improving the quality of care during childbirth and the early postnatal period is vital to reducing avoidable deaths and ensuring that every newborn begins life in safety and dignity. Respectful care is not only a moral obligation but also a pathway towards healthier families and stronger health systems worldwide.   Paper available at: Respectful care of newborns after childbirth globally: a systematic review Full list of authors: Haghdoost, S.; Montazeri, S.; Iravani, M. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330251346063

Caring for newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has advanced greatly thanks to modern technology, but a crucial factor often remains overlooked: the role of parents. Extended hospitalisation and separation can affect both infants and families, leading to stress and long-term challenges. Family Integrated Care (FICare) is a model that makes parents active members of the healthcare team, enabling them to be the primary caregivers for their infants. This approach has been studied in several countries and shows important benefits. Newborns experience better health outcomes, families feel more confident and less stressed, and healthcare professionals report higher satisfaction. Evidence shows that FICare is safe, feasible, and beneficial in diverse settings, making it an important step towards consistent standards in newborn care worldwide.   Parents of preterm or ill newborns often face emotional stress and uncertainty during long hospital stays. Traditional care models sometimes limit their involvement, which can impact both infant development and parental well-being. Recognising this, FICare emphasises that parents are not just visitors but essential caregivers. The reviewed studies include international experiences from Canada, China, the USA, Europe, and even Uganda, highlighting how FICare can be adapted to different health systems. While originally designed for stable preterm infants, it has now expanded to include critically ill newborns, showing that the model is flexible and broadly applicable.   Better outcomes for infants and families Research consistently shows that newborns cared for under FICare gain weight faster, establish feeding earlier, and spend fewer days in hospital compared with standard care. Long-term benefits include improved self-regulation, motor development, and language skills. Families also benefit through reduced stress, anxiety, and post-discharge trauma. Mothers reported lower stress hormone levels and felt more confident in caring for their children, supporting smoother transitions to home life. In addition, FICare strengthens the collaboration between parents and healthcare staff. Nurses and doctors shift from being the sole providers of care to becoming mentors and guides, enabling parents to take on responsibilities safely. Studies found that this approach does not increase risks, even for very ill infants, but instead fosters trust and stronger bonds.   Towards global implementation The importance of implementing family-centred standards across all countries cannot be overstated. The FICare model is already being adapted in various cultural and economic contexts. A European-led consortium is working to scale up and tailor the model to both high-resource and low-resource settings, proving that it can be applied worldwide. Implementing such standards within the ESCNH framework offers a clear path to ensuring that all infants, regardless of where they are born, receive the best possible start in life. FICare demonstrates that when families are empowered and included, outcomes improve for everyone: infants, parents, and professionals. Moving towards global standards of newborn care based on models like FICare can create more equitable and compassionate health systems. Parents should be encouraged to play an active role, and healthcare providers supported to make this collaboration a daily reality.   Paper available at: Family integrated care: State of art and future perspectives – PubMed Full list of authors: Moreno-Sanz, B.; Alferink, M. T.; O’Brien, K.; Franck, L. S. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.17272

Neonatal and perinatal care is a national priority in Ukraine. In 2023, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) intensified efforts to strengthen perinatal services across the country. As part of these efforts, the set of 16 standards for the topic of “Follow-up and continuing care” has now been translated, reviewed, and adapted into Ukrainian.   Translation of the ESCNH standards The translation of the standards on “Follow-up and continuing care” was a joint initiative by the NHSU, UNICEF, and the parent and patient organisation “Early Birds” (Ранні пташки). This milestone supports Ukraine in aligning national practice with international best standards, also in the context of EU integration.   Supporting healthcare professionals nationwide The Ukrainian editions are intended for healthcare professionals working in maternity, perinatal, and paediatric services. They are expected to serve as a key reference for future national clinical guidelines, protocols, and legislation.   Capacity-building and knowledge sharing Capacity-building activities are already under way. Since 2024, UNICEF has led a national webinar programme on Follow-up Care for Newborns with Low Birth Weight within the Medical Guarantees Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service of Ukraine, “Early Birds”, and with support from the Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation. The programme brings together teams from perinatal care centres, oblast children’s hospitals, and primary healthcare facilities.   Gratitude and collaboration The Ministry of Health, the National Health Service of Ukraine, UNICEF Ukraine, and Early Birds express their sincere gratitude to GFCNI for ongoing support and collaboration in improving care for Ukraine’s smallest patients – especially in times of war.