Babies born too early or too small should be kept in"skin-to-skin" contact with a caregiver rather than being put in an incubator straight after birth to improve their chances of survival, the World Health Organization said. – Photo: Filepic
The new guidelines around"kangaroo mother care" mark a significant shift from current protocols for premature babies and the U.N. health agency's earlier advice. The guidelines are also particularly pertinent for births in areas with poor access to technology and reliable electricity, the WHO said. Kangaroo care involves wrapping premature or tiny newborns in a sling worn by a caregiver, usually the mother, instead of separating them from their parents straight after birth to provide care.
But new research has shown that starting kangaroo care and encouraging breastfeeding immediately, rather than after the babies are stable, could save up to 150,000 lives a year.