The latest statistics from the World Health Organisation indicate that the number of babies born prematurely since 1990 has risen dramatically in the UK, the US and in Scandinavian countries. This means that roughly 10 per cent of babies born each year are born prematurely. In the USA, this accounts for 500,000 babies every year.
There are a number of possible reasons for this, primarily the health problems of the mother. The result is a decrease in survival rates. Perhaps because of this, there is a fear about how to care for and nurture a premature baby, so that you can touch and caress your child without risking hurting it.
Kangaroo Mother Care is one of the best methods to care for your premature infant. The important point is the large amount of skin-on-skin contact between the parent and the child. With the parent sitting comfortably, ideally on a reclined chair, the baby is placed on the parent’s bare chest. This allows for regulation of the child’s temperature, as the parent’s temperature will change to accommodate the baby’s needs.
Research has shown that Kangaroo Mother Care has a number of benefits for both the parent and the child. The infant’s body temperature is regulated, along with breathing and pulse rate, so stability is ensured. The baby also shows an increase in weight gain, and their immune system is able to develop quicker.
The baby is a lot calmer than it would otherwise be, most likely because it is able to spend quiet time listening to the heartbeat and breathing of the parent; a very soothing experience. If they are with their mother, they are also able to latch on in order to breastfeed when they wish. There is no downside to the infant in this method of caring.
There are also benefits for the parent. The biggest benefit is the enhanced bonding, as the time spent with skin-to-skin contact with the infant is very rewarding. The child gets to know the voices of its parents, and will react to the sound of them. In addition, breastfeeding mothers will experience an increase in milk volume.
The sight of the baby looking out from its blanket to look at the parent’s face is one of the most natural and most rewarding experiences that you can have as a parent. It is certain to trigger the maternal or paternal processes in your body, and help you to feel close to your new-born child. There is no downside to the parent with this method of caring.
It is safe to start with Kangaroo Mother Care as soon as the baby is born and the methods have been demonstrated. The use of Kangaroo Mother Care will give you confidence in handling your child, even if there are medical tubes attached. Different hospital policies will impose slightly different practices, such as covers or ventilators, as deemed necessary for the wellbeing of both the parent and the child.
All babies want to be in close contact with their parents, and to know that they are loved. One of the simplest and easiest ways of doing this is through Kangaroo Mother Care. It was devised in 1979 in Colombian, South America. Since then, it has spread through the world including Europe, USA, Australia, India and Africa.
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