Essential Newborn Care 1
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Introduction
Essential Newborn Care 1 (ENC1) – Immediate Care and Helping Babies Breathe at Birth is the first part of the WHO ENC Basic Course. This is an updated version of Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), and focuses on essential newborn care from birth to 60 minutes after birth. The updated course was launched in May 2023.
Key updates from HBB to ENC1
The WHO ENC course incorporates all content of the Helping Babies Survive courses, updated to align with WHO recommendations and guidelines
On this page you will find what you need to plan and facilitate the course: Learning materials, Equipment, Videos, Assessments and LDHF practice.
The course materials are very flexible. You can use them for different settings, both pre-service and in-service. You can also adapt the course duration so it meets your needs.
If you would like to learn about all ENC courses, you can have a look at the information we have gathered here.
Share with your course participants
We have gathered all the resources that you need to share with your course participants in one place.
Learning materials
Here you can find online materials and PDFs to view and download.
You can choose whether to facilitate the course using either traditional printed materials, or the ENC1 online course which can also be used to facilitate remotely. The content in both alternatives is the same, so choose whichever suits your needs best. If you need help deciding which may be best for you, you can check this document comparing in-person and online course facilitation.
ENC1 Online
Use the online course to facilitate remotely, in person, or in a combination, whenever internet access is available. The online course includes interactive content like demonstration videos, exercises and more to support you and your participants. Even though the course is facilitator-led, participants have the option of going through some parts on their own, reviewing the content at their own pace before and after the training.
Flip Chart
Use the printed Flip Chart to facilitate the course when internet access is limited. The PDF has interactive links that you can explore. You can also download the same videos that are available in the online course here, to use alongside the Flip Chart.
Action Plan
The Action Plan will guide the training. Make sure participants have a printed version available. After the course, it can be used in the facility as a job aid.
Provider Guide
Every participant should ideally have a printed Provider Guide to keep. The guide will support them to continue practice and improve the quality of care.
Simulation Practice Cards
During the course you will introduce the Practice Cards for Group practice. These cards have different scenarios where the participants practice the roles of mother and provider. Every participant should have access to the online or printed version, also after the course.
In-depth modules
You can complement ENC1 with the one or more of the 14 modules for more in-depth learning, also created by WHO. You may register to use the pilot materials from WHO.
Video
Real birth videos by Global Health Media and demonstrations for practice
Equipment
In addition to the learning materials, each pair of participants will need:
- Newborn simulator – we suggest NeoNatalie
- Pen and paper
- Hand cleaner
- Gloves
- Clock
- Head covering (for baby)
- Cloths (dry and clean)
- Cord ties/clamps
- Stethoscope
- Ventilation bag and mask
- Suction device
- Scissors
- Thermometer
- Syringe
Remote facilitation
- If you are facilitating remotely, both you and your participants will need a tablet or computer with camera and microphone.
Sustainable practice
Regular practice reinforces new knowledge and skills. Practice also develops skills and improves teamwork and clinical decision-making. After the course, participants can use the same Simulation Practice Cards that you introduced during the course. Support participants to continue practice in short, often sessions at their place of work.
Assessments
Download and print these documents to check the knowledge and skills of the participants
Case Scenario B
How to run Case Scenario A (video)
How to run Case Scenario B (video)
Templates
Download and modify these documents to fit your purposes.
Face to face training — Invitation to the course for participants
Face to face training — Agenda for course in short sessions
Face to face training — Agenda for 2-day course
Remote training — Invitation to the course for participants
Remote training — Invitation to evaluation session
Remote training — Agenda for 2-day course
Remote training — Agenda for course in short sessions
A WHO and AAP collaboration
ENC1 is one of the components of the Essential Newborn Care Course. It was created by WHO in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, as an update of the course Helping Babies Breathe
WHO and AAP designed the ENC1 to support health workers to save lives, prevent disabilities, and ensure all newborns reach their full potential. Participants will respond to the essential needs of newborns everywhere, including some of the most difficult contexts such as fragile and humanitarian settings.