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<b>Objectives:</b> To study the knowledge and practices related to newborn care in urban slums of Lucknow city, UP, and to identify critical behaviors, practices, and barriers that influence the survival of newborns. <b> Materials and</b> <b> Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study in urban slums of Lucknow city, UP, included 524 women who had a live birth during last 1 year preceding data collection. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 10.0 for windows. <b> Results:</b> Study findings showed that about half of the deliveries took place at home. Majority (77.1&#x0025;) of the mothers believed that baby should be bathed with warm water and dried with clean cloth and 79.7&#x0025; mothers practiced it. Only 36.6&#x0025; mothers initiated breast-feeding within 1 h of birth and 30.2&#x0025; initiated after 1 day. The mothers who have not given colostrum to their baby, in majority the reason was customs. <b> Conclusion:</b> In majority of cases, correct knowledge and correct practices regarding newborn care were lacking among mothers and this should be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.