Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

• Place an additional cloth or a towel under the buttock of the baby to prevent dirtying the
mother’s chest and dress if cloth diapers are used. Change the diapers frequently.
• Some use a small baby vest to cover the back for extra thermal protection. Make sure in
such cases that the front of the vest is open to allow the chest of the baby to be in direct
contact with the chest of the mother (Figure 12.4).
• Fix the baby to the mother’s chest by wrapping the clean cloth around the mother and
the baby, leaving room to permit the baby’s abdominal breathing but being tight enough
so that the baby does not slip out when the mother stands. Secure the cloth with a safe,
secure knot and tuck the loose ends under the tied band. Alternatively, a circular Lycra
band can be used to fix the baby.
• Practice with the mother and supervise her until she is totally comfortable with the
method.
• Through advocacy and counseling encourage the other members of the family, including
the father, to assist the mother in KMC.
Figure 12.4. How to dress the baby for “Kangaroo Care.”
(WHO, 2003)
Figure 12.5. Photo of kangaroo mother care. (Source: Delphin Muyila, DRC)
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Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course