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Card 8Put the baby on the mother’s chest, in skin-to-skin contact.• After you have cut the cord, place the infant directly on the mother’s chest, on her stomach, with the newborn’s skin touching themother’s skin.• Cover both the mother and infant with a dry, warm cloth or towel to prevent heat loss.• Cover the baby’s head with a cloth or, if available, a cap.• If the mother is not able to hold the baby, ask her companion or an assistant to care for the baby. Otherwise, the baby should remainwith the mother.If at all possible, do not separate the woman and her newborn.QUESTIONS1) Why should you put the baby on the mother’s chest after cutting the cord?2) Should you put the baby on the mother’s chest if the mother has chosen NOT to breastfeed?KEY MESSAGES• Putting the baby on the mother’s chest, in skin-to-skin contact, serves five purposes:– Skin-to-skin contact keeps the baby warm– When the mother and baby are together, the mother can quickly notice if there is a problem and call you– Being close to the mother stimulates breastfeeding– Early and close contact between the mother and baby help them to bond– When the baby is lying on the mother, you can keep a close eye on both the mother and the baby at the same time.• Even if the mother has chosen NOT to breastfeed, skin-to-skin between the mother and baby still has all of the other benefits listedabove.