Remarks

• This recommendation has been adapted and integrated from the 2020 Improving early childhood development: WHO guideline (238), where it was considered a strong recommendation based on moderate-certainty evidence for early learning.
• The postnatal care Guideline Development Group noted the following based on the original guideline.
• Early learning refers to any opportunity for the baby, toddler or child to interact with a person, place or object in their environment, recognizing that every interaction (positive or negative, or absence of interaction) is contributing to the child’s brain development and laying the foundation for later learning.
• Activities that support early learning in the newborn period include, but are not limited to, making eye contact, smiling, talking, singing and gentle massage of the newborn infant (see Recommendation 37 in this guideline). Responding to the child’s signals as discussed above also promotes early learning.
• Health workers should enhance parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices or skills with respect to supporting early learning and development during the postnatal period. These interventions may either: (i) directly support caregivers in providing new early learning opportunities for their children; or (ii) build caregiver capacities more generally, providing information and guidance around healthy newborn/child development or a range of nurturing care topics.