Kangaroo mother care: The miracle of a mother's touch

In Namibia, one of the leading contributors to under 5 mortality is the death of preterm babies. They contribute to as many as 36.4% of that figure. It is especially difficult because preterm babies are particularly susceptible to fluctuations in temperature, maternal nutrition, etc. As a result, many preterm babies are lost.

A new and cost-effective measure known as Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been implemented in Namibia to try to increase preterm baby survival rates. The technique involves placing the baby up against the body of the mother and/or father in order to maintain the body temperature of the infant.

This technique is purported to confer a number of benefits:

1.    Helps the mother produce milk

2.    Helps baby sleep

3.    Promotes bonding with mother and father

4.    Helps baby adapt to temperature

5.    Promotes baby’s mental development

6.    Promotes healthy weight

7.    Makes breastfeeding easier

8.    Stabilizes heartbeat

9.    Increases oxygen saturation

Hopefully with these new and cost-effective techniques, Namibia will be able to decrease the percentage of preterm baby mortality.

https://www.namibian.com.na/65110/read/Kangaroo-mother-care--The-miracle-of-a-mothers-touch

~Scarlett