Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

Weigh the Baby and Record the Weight
• Take the weight when the baby is stable and warm.
• Place a clean cloth or paper on the pan of the weighing scale.
• Adjust the weight so it reads “zero” with the paper/cloth on it.
• Place the baby over the pan. If a cloth was used, fold it to cover the body of the baby.
• Note the weight when the baby and pan are not moving.
• Never leave the baby unattended on the scale.
• Write down the weight of the baby in the partograph/maternal/baby charts and in the
delivery room registers as recommended by the Ministry of Health.
• Return the baby to skin-to-skin contact with the mother.
Keep the Mother and Baby Together
If no emergency care is required, keep the baby warm by putting her/him in skin-to-skin contact
with the mother and covering both with a clean cloth/blanket as required. If the baby cannot be
in skin-to-skin contact with the mother due to issues such as a Cesarean operation, an ill
mother, or an ill baby, then wrap her/him with a clean dry cloth and/or blanket, taking care to
cover the head, and keep the baby away from drafts.
Note: Never leave the woman and newborn alone soon after delivery.
Avoid separating the mother and the baby.
Counsel the Mother and Family
Counsel the mother before she leaves the delivery room. However, if she is very tired after
delivery, only talk to her about the key points noted below.
• Keep the baby warm.
• Continue breastfeeding frequently on demand day and night.
• Do not give any other fluids/food to the baby.
• Do not apply any harmful substances on the cord, such as ash or herbal preparations.
More detailed counseling can be done in the postnatal period in the facility before the mother is
discharged and at subsequent postnatal visits. The major issues are noted in chapter 10 on
postnatal care.
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Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course