How to prevent pneumonia in newborns effectively

As you may know, pneumonia in young children can occur all year round, but it is most common when the seasons change and the weather turns cold. At this time, children's resistance drops, giving flu viruses and bacteria the chance to enter the nose and throat and travel down to the lungs, causing pneumonia. That is why actively preventing pneumonia in newborns is extremely important. Below are some of the most effective ways to prevent pneumonia in newborns. Content reviewed by Dr. Nguyen Thanh Duy (Specialist Level I) - Founder of Care For Kids Paediatric Clinic.

• To prevent illness in general and pneumonia in particular, newborns should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and continue breastfeeding until at least 24 months of age.
• Mums and caregivers should wash their hands often with clean water and always keep the baby's surroundings clean..
• Avoid taking your baby to crowded places, and do not let your baby come into contact with people who have respiratory illnesses, to prevent pneumonia spreading from person to person.
• Always remind family members not to smoke.
• Clean the house regularly; keep the room clean and well ventilated, and draught-free when the weather turns cold.
• When your baby shows respiratory symptoms, do not buy medicine and treat them at home on your own; take your baby to the nearest medical facility. This is a safe way to protect newborns from pneumonia without the risk of medicine side effects.
• Watch your baby closely for severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest indrawing, high fever or fast breathing; if these appear, take your baby to hospital immediately for prompt treatment.
• Get vaccinations on schedule, as this helps protect against some respiratory illnesses.

We hope this article helps parents care for their newborns in the best way, helping them recover quickly and avoid dangerous complications.

References:

• Children's Hospital (Nhi Dong)

• Vietnam Vaccine JSC