What is International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day?
On International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, every year on May 15, promotes and raises funds for skin-to-skin contact. Everyone should embrace this vital activity between newborns and mothers right after birth, especially those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Kangaroo care" came from the type of care a kangaroo mother provides their infant. If its body, a kangaroo mother has a little pouch on the front of its body. This little pouch doubles as a second womb. When a joey, or baby kangaroo, is inside the pouch, it stays warm and safe. In addition,, the pouch provides a secure environment in which to grow. A human mother can provide the same protection as a mother kangaroo.
A mother places their infant into their chest and blankets the baby with a blanket in the first moments and days after a birth. Babies thrive when this skin-to-skin contact between baby and mother helps babies thrive. Although kangaroo care is mainly provided in the NICU, where premature babies need a lot more attention, many hospitals have started using this technique as part of the birthing process, although some hospitals have adopted it as part of the infant care process. In some cases, a caregiver provides the contact as well as a birth mother can.
Skin-to-skin contact between baby and mother is one of many evidence-based health benefits. For example, kangaroo care aids premature babies in gaining weight more quickly. There are some other benefits for the baby, including:: There are some other things that can be helpful to the baby.
