In this opinion piece, maternity ward staff from various backgrounds express their frustrations about the inadequate resources they face in providing care for newborns and their mothers. They specifically criticize the use of low-quality paper towels for drying infants post-birth, arguing it reflects a larger issue of underfunding and lack of attention to maternal and neonatal health in Sweden.

The authors emphasize that the well-being of newborns should be a priority. They detail the harsh conditions under which they work, indicating that not only do they face physical demands but also emotional challenges associated with inadequate parental support post-delivery. They advocate for improved funding and policies that would enable staff to provide a better standard of care, which they feel is currently compromised by systemic inefficiencies.

Furthermore, the article calls for a national conversation about the welfare of new parents and the resources available to healthcare providers. By shedding light on these issues, the authors hope to inspire change within the healthcare system, ultimately aiming for a more supportive environment for families during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.