Remarks

• Any KMC
• KMC can be given at home or at the health-care facility.
• Infants who receive KMC should be secured firmly to the mother’s chest with a binder that ensures a patent airway.
• Whenever possible, the mother should provide KMC. If the mother is not available, fathers, partners and other family members can also provide KMC.
• Infants who need intensive care should be managed in special units, where mothers, fathers, partners and other family members can be with their preterm or LBW infants 24 hours a day.
• Immediate KMC
• At home, immediate KMC should be given to infants who have no danger signs (22).
• At health-care facilities, immediate KMC can be initiated before the infant is clinically stable unless the infant is unable to breathe spontaneously after resuscitation, is in shock or needs mechanical ventilation. The infant’s clinical condition (including heart rate, breathing, colour, temperature and oxygen saturation, where possible) must be monitored.