Neonatal Nursing and Helping Babies Breathe: An Effective Intervention to Decrease Global Neonatal Mortality

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is an evidence-based medical educational curriculum designed to improve neonatal resuscitation and be taught in resource-limited circumstances. It has been field-tested for educational effectiveness and feasibility of wide implementation. We are committed to supporting the expansion of effective neonatal care, agree that HBB is highly suitable for that purpose, and promote the statement that “the time to act on behalf of every newborn infant is now” (Little G, Niermeyer S, Singhal N, Lawn J, Keenan W, Neonatal Resuscitation: A Global Challenge, Pediatrics, 2010;126(5):e1259-e1260). We also note that a program is only as effective as its systematic implementation and that neonatal nursing must serve an essential role in standard setting, education, and implementation of any bedside change in care of the newly born infant.