The world has made enormous progress in improving child survival since 1990. To accelerate progress in child survival, focusing on the newborn is critical since the share of all under-five deaths occurring in the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) is increasing. Many of the deaths are easily preventable with simple, cost-effective interventions administered before, during and immediately after birth. UNICEF’s analysis reveals a remarkably high degree of variability in the utilization and quality of services provided to pregnant women and their babies. Furthermore, quality care is grossly lacking even for babies and mothers in contact with the health system. This Commentary summarizes the levels and trends in child mortality as well as the coverage and quality of key maternal and newborn care from pregnancy through childbirth and the postnatal period as discussed in the UNICEF report Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed Progress Report 2014.