Helping Babies Survive

Why is this Program Important?

Every year around the world, 2.6 million babies die before turning one month old, and more than 1 million do not survive past their first day of life. Labor, birth and the first month of life are the most critical for infant survival, highlighting the need for enhanced efforts focused on protecting newborns during this vulnerable period.

The majority of newborn deaths result from three preventable and treatable conditions:  complications from prematurity, complications during childbirth (including birth asphyxia, or lack of oxygen) and newborn infections.  Together, these conditions are responsible for nearly 80% of all newborn deaths.

The knowledge and tools to drastically reduce newborn mortality exist – up to two-thirds of deaths could be prevented by delivering and scaling proven, low-cost interventions, such as the HBS program suite. 

Who Can Benefit?

Target Customers:

• Newborn health providers
  • To train as HBS trainers (can train others and implement programs)
  • To train as HBS providers (cannot train others, but provide the direct care)
• Ministries of Health
  • To partner with in order to introduce sustainable, scalable HBS training in-country (from pre-service education to in-service low-dose, high-frequency practice)
• Leading global newborn health implementers/funders
  • To partner with in order to implement and fund projects in LMICs

Since 2010, the HBS programs have been introduced in more than 80 countries with over 450,00 birth attendants trained and equipped. View map.

Program Details

A newborn's risk of death from prematurity, birth asphyxia and infection is significantly minimized through delivery by a skilled birth attendant and provision of essential neonatal care that includes immediate attention to breathing and warmth, proper hygiene practices and early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding. Yet, tragically, infants around the world, especially those in low-resource settings, continue to die from preventable causes, simply because they do not have access to the necessary care that could save their lives. 

Together, the HBS programs address the three leading causes of preventable newborn death, thereby ensuring that birth attendants have the skills and competencies necessary to correctly care for newborns after birth.

• Helping Babies Breathe (HBB): HBB trains birth attendants in essential neonatal resuscitation techniques and newborn care skills that can help save the lives of the approximately 10 million babies born each year who need assistance breathing at birth.
• Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB): ECEB teaches health providers essential newborn care practices to keep all babies healthy from the time of birth to discharge from the facility, with a special focus on areas that are most critical to newborn survival:  initiating breastfeeding, preventing and managing infections, and recognizing danger signs.
• Essential Care for Small Babies (ECSB): ECSB provides education on the essential skills necessary to care for preterm and low birthweight babies, emphasizing vital practices that ensure small babies remain well and thrive:  supporting feeding, maintaining warmth, preventing and managing infections, identifying and responding promptly to danger signs, and preparing families to properly care for their small baby at home.

Each of the HBS learning programs includes visual guidebooks, flipcharts and posters containing clear, specific instructions for healthcare providers to follow after the birth of a baby. Because no electricity or specialized technology is required, all of the programs can be taught anywhere learners can gather. HBS training resources have been translated into many languages. All approved translations are available for free access and download at the AAP International Resources website: internationalresources.app.org.

How is the Program Implemented?

All three.  Traditionally, HBS programs have been delivered via in-person trainings.  However, with the development of ENC Now! we will have the opportunity to deliver HBS trainings in both fully virtual and hybrid formats.

Delivering Value and Impact

Helping Babies Survive combines evidenced-based content with interactive learning techniques to improve and sustain the skills of health care workers. The programs support: skills-based, team-focused training; hands-on simulated learning; ongoing practice; and quality improvement.

Helping Babies Breathe has saved thousands of newborn lives – numerous studies have shown that it can reduce early neonatal mortality by up to 50%.  Please click here to view a list of key HBS-related scientific publications.

Program Partnerships

The development and delivery of the HBS programs are the result of a collaborative effort of many partners, including the WHO, USAID, Laerdal Global Health, LDS Charities.

The Survive & Thrive GDA is a great example of the many partners involved. Please click here to view the 5-year report.