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Peer Review

Neonatal Care Essentials for Nursing and Midwifery

Reviewed:

Jul 6, 2026 by Health Sciences
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

This resource is aimed at providing student midwives and nurses an entry level understanding of the role of the nurses and midwives in the neonatal, inpatient environment. The book is divided into chapters following the notions of warm (thermoregulation), sweet (nutrition and feeding), pink (oxygenation and perfusion) and calm (external environmental factors) with an overview of transition to the extrauterine environment. 

Type of Material:

  • Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:

  • This open textbook can be used for group or individual learning for entry-level nurses and midwives.
  • While the material lacks the breadth and depth of a textbook for an entire course, it would certainly serve as high-quality reference material. Learners could use it for in-class work, homework, and clinical preparation.
Technical Requirements:

  • Internet access provides the learner with the textbook that can be downloaded or read online.
  • Web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:

  • The student will explain the physiological process of extrauterine transition.
  • The student will apply thermoregulation principles to assess neonatal temperature stability and implement appropriate thermal management strategies for premature infants or those who are hemodynamically unstable.
  • The student will apply knowledge of neonatal nutrition by identifying risk factors for hypoglycemia, describing appropriate feeding practices, and recognizing signs of feeding intolerance in the inpatient nursery setting.
  • The student will assess oxygenation and perfusion status in neonates. 
  • The student will integrate the principles of developmental and family-centered care into their nursing or midwifery practice.

 

Target Student Population:

  • Undergraduate nursing students. Potentially could  be useful for entry-level midwifery students (graduate level)
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

  • Learners should have foundational knowledge in anatomy and physiology, pathphysiology, and understanding of medical terminology.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Content is of high quality to provide entry level concepts
  • The content is clear, concise, and written at an appropriate entry level for nursing and midwifery students. 
  • The "Warm/Sweet/Pink/Calm" is an easy-to-follow organizational framework and reflects real practice priorities in the neonatal period.
  • The text is current (published 2024/2025) and produced by a university press with academic oversight, supporting its credibility and accuracy.

 

Concerns:

  • As mentioned, the depth and breadth is narrow, and nursing courses on maternal/child health and more advanced midwifery courses would have to supplement significantly.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  •  The chapter structure (transition, thermoregulation, nutrition, oxygenation, developmental care) aligns with the "Warm/Sweet/Pink/Calm" framework and functions as a memorable mnemonic that students can carry directly into clinical practice.
  • The included tables and graphics of pathophysiological components can be used by both instructors to assist with teaching, and by learners to focus their learning. 
  • Most sections include a helpful summary.
  • Most sections include a short, interactive quiz to self-test one's understanding of the material. 
  • Each section/chapter lists key concepts to be covered.
  • Learning outcomes are listed at the start of each chapter.

 

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The site is clear with back-and-forth arrows at the bottom of the page.
  • The table of contents on the left side of the page provides easy access to the five sections and the glossary.
  • The material is intuitive and easy to navigate without technical training.
  • The interactive, embedded quizzes help to keep learners engaged throughout the sections.
  • The overall visual design is appealing, clean, and professional.  
  • The book is available in multiple formats (web, EPUB, digital PDF, print PDF), giving students flexibility in how they access and use it.
  • The writing style is accessible and avoids overly dense academic prose, making it readable for students at the beginning of their clinical training.
  • Images include alt text
  • Sequential headings are set for screen readers
  • Screen reader friendly
Other Issues and Comments:

Fabulous open textbook resource!

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