Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

Reference Manual
• Explain the reasons for and advantages of KMC to the mother and the family:
o KMC replaces the warmth within the uterus.
o The baby is very close to the breast, facilitating frequent feedings.
o KMC favors the milk ejection reflex and successful feeding.
o The newborn is protected from exposure to the external environment and infections.
• Requirements include:
o a warm room without drafts
o appropriate clothing for the mother, as needed and influenced by the weather
o a square piece of clothing folded diagonally or a Lycra band to fix the baby to the
mother’s chest
o a cap, socks, and diapers for the newborn
o a chair with an inclined back or a bed that can be adjusted with pillows, for example,
at a 15-30 degree angle for the mother
Selecting Babies for KMC:
The common criteria for deciding whether to use KMC for an LBW baby include:
• weight less than 2500 grams, although KMC can be used for any weight group
• stable cardio-respiratory condition
• ability to suck and swallow
• maternal acceptance and family support
The KMC Technique
• Advise the mother to maintain good hygiene, including daily baths, change of clothes,
frequent hand washing, and short and clean fingernails.
Figure 12.3. Kangaroo mother care.
(WHO, 2003)
• Place the baby in skin-to-skin contact between the mother’s breasts with the baby’s feet
below her breasts and the baby’s hands above; the baby’s hips should be in a “frog”
position and the arms flexed (Figure 12.3).
• Extend the head slightly and turn it to one side. Avoid excessive flexion or
hyperextension of the neck. Turn the head to alternate sides periodically. This position
keeps the airway open and allows eye contact between the mother and her baby.
• Support the baby‘s head by pulling the wrap under the baby’s ear.
Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course
143