A maternity ward in Bordeaux, France is proactively addressing evolving best practices in newborn care and supporting families amid demographic shifts. Facing a decline in birth rates-with estimates dropping from 874 births in 2024 to around 800 this year-the facility is expanding educational resources for expectant parents while also focusing on the often-overlooked needs of new fathers. The ward’s updated guidance includes cautions about common baby products and emphasizes the importance of both maternal and paternal engagement in infant care.
New parents should avoid using certain common baby care products, according to guidance from a maternity ward in France. Experts are advising against using povidone-iodine (Betadine) on infants, as well as scented products, which can be a source of stress for newborns who rely on their parents’ scent for comfort.
“Reassuring Fathers”
The recommendations come as part of a broader effort to educate expectant parents, with recent workshops covering topics like babywearing, breastfeeding, acupuncture, and maternity photography. Proper infant care can be challenging for new parents, and these resources aim to provide support and build confidence.
Liniment, a traditional skincare product made with olive oil and lime water, also requires caution. While many parents prefer to make it at home, improper heating or mixing can irritate a baby’s delicate skin, a maternity ward leader explained.
Caregivers are also focused on engaging fathers in the infant care process. “We are also here to reassure fathers, who are often a bit withdrawn and hesitant about tactile contact with the baby,” said Christelle Lacroix, a nursing assistant, offering advice on baby massage. “To show them that they are also capable of taking over from mom when she is tired.”
The maternity ward, which includes an obstetrical unit, is staffed by 18 midwives and 13 nursery assistants. In 2024, the facility delivered 874 babies, though declining birth rates are impacting numbers. Hélène Le Guillan estimates that number will be closer to 800 this year. The ongoing decline in birth rates is a public health concern in many countries.
Despite the trend, interest in careers in maternal and infant care remains strong. Mathilde, a high school student in Bordeaux, recently completed a work placement at the facility. “I had done my third-year internship here, and I wanted to come back to review some of the concepts I had learned then,” she explained, accompanied by her father. “Because later, I want to be a nursery nurse.”
