Connections and care: newborn life transitions

Abstract

The birth of a new life holds significance across all cultures, communities, families and parents. Human newborns, like many infant mammals, are born sentient, learning and expectant of love, nourishment and nurturing relationships.1 Healthy infants are born with unique adaptations that optimise their survival, prompting care-giving behaviours in their mothers and/or parents.2 Understanding what neonates need is important to midwives and those caring for families, at birth and in the weeks and months that follow. In this topic highlight, we look at the newborn’s sensory needs with a focus on human consciousness, connections and care.