PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ON POST-DISCHARGE NEONATAL CARE FOR CAREGIVERS

Abstract

This study aims, in general, to relate home-based postpartum neonatal care to the guidance provided by healthcare professionals, as well as to the positive outcomes associated with adherence to such recommendations and the negative consequences resulting from non-adherence. The specific objectives are to identify guidance provided regarding breastfeeding, describe home care practices, and discuss the importance of postpartum follow-up. This study consists of a qualitative and descriptive narrative literature review. The literature search was conducted in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and Scopus databases between July 2025 and May 2026. A total of 53 articles were initially identified; after the screening process, 22 articles remained, and following full-text reading, 14 articles were selected for inclusion in this study. Based on the research question, “Do caregivers provide effective home care for newborns based on scientifically grounded guidance?”, it was identified that the difficulties observed are consistently associated with factors of caregiver vulnerability or communication barriers. Well-informed families demonstrate better caregiving practices and lower hospitalization rates, whereas families who receive inadequate guidance exhibit poorer indicators related to neonatal care.