Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

Reference Manual
Follow-up checks by skilled health workers are ideal, but where the latter is not feasible at
times, additional support through visits by trained community health workers should be
instituted. Even in facility births try to link the family with a trained community health worker for
additional follow-up.
DISCHARGE OF THE LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABY
Babies are fit for discharge if:
• Their general health is good.
• There are no features of infection or danger signs.
• The baby is sucking well, and breastfeeding is well established.
• The baby is gaining weight or at least the weight is stabilized for three consecutive days
(but some wait until the baby’s weight reaches 1800 grams).
• The baby is maintaining temperature well, with extra clothing or with kangaroo mother
care, for at least three consecutive days.
• The baby has no obvious problems.
• The health personnel judges that the mother is able to take care of her baby, and the
mother/family feels confident with caring for the baby.
Care for the LBW baby is summarized in the diagram and the algorithm below.
Figure 12.7: Key components of care of the LBW infant: KMC/well wrapped close to the mother,
cleanliness including frequent hand washing, early exclusive breastfeeding without pre-lacteal feeds,
monitoring of weight gain/growth (Source: Counseling cards from Senegal).
Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course
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