Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

Reference Manual
Advance preparation for skin-to-skin contact between baby and mother and early
breastfeeding
Close contact between the mother and baby after birth will promote temperature maintenance
and breastfeeding. Hence, where the mother and baby are normal, it is good for the baby to be
kept with the mother in skin-to- skin contact. In fact, most of the care that a normal baby
requires can be carried out while he/she is with the mother, initially on her abdomen and later,
after the cord is cut, on her chest. Because some centers may not have been following this
practice, mothers may not be aware of these steps or be prepared for them. To get the mother’s
acceptance and cooperation, it is essential that these plans are discussed with the mother
before delivery so that she is prepared for them; otherwise, there may be some challenges in
implementing these steps.
ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE
The initial steps in the care of the baby at birth, such as drying, wrapping, and evaluation of
breathing, are similar for all babies. Subsequent care, however, may be different if there are
problems such as birth asphyxia.
Dry the Infant
• Place the infant on the abdomen of the mother.
• Wipe the face and dry the baby thoroughly immediately after birth and discard the wet
cloth. Do not let the baby remain wet, as this will cool the body and make him/her
hypothermic.
• Let the baby stay prone in skin-to-skin contact on the abdomen and cover the baby
quickly, including the head, with a fresh dry cloth.
Figure 5.4. Initial steps in the care of the baby at birth.
Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course
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