What is the recommended procedure for skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery?

The recommended procedure for skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery involves placing the baby, who has been dried, on the mother's chest. This practice is crucial for several reasons.

Firstly, skin-to-skin contact promotes immediate bonding between the mother and the baby, which is essential for both emotional connection and the initiation of maternal behaviors. This proximity allows the baby to hear the mother's heartbeat and recognize her scent, which can help soothe the newborn and reduce crying.

Secondly, placing the baby on the mother's chest helps regulate the baby's temperature and encourages breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact provides warmth, which is important for maintaining the newborn's body temperature, especially right after birth. This practice stimulates the baby’s instinctive behaviors, such as latching and sucking, which can lead to successful breastfeeding right after delivery.

Additionally, it supports the release of hormones in both the mother and the baby that facilitate breastfeeding and promote maternal care.

The other options, such as placing the baby in an incubator, immediate weighing, or prioritizing IV fluids for the mother, do not prioritize this beneficial skin-to-skin contact, which is fundamental in the early postpartum period according to the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.