7.4.5 Clearing the mouth and nose
If a bulb syringe is available:
Suction the mouth first, then the baby’s nose (‘m’ before ‘n’) — see Figure 7.9.
No deep suctioning with a bulb syringe! It can cause slowing of the heart rate (bradycardia).
If no bulb syringe:
Clear secretions from the mouth and nose with a clean, dry cloth.
Figure 7.9 Suctioning the newborn with a bulb syringe to clear mucus from its upper airway: (top) suction the mouth first; (bottom) then suction the baby’s nose (‘m’ before ‘n’).
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7.4.4 Dry the baby quickly and keep it warm