Recent research has brought to light the incredible benefits of immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for small and preterm babies. The study was published in eClinicalMedicine and it revealed that KMC – which merges skin-to-skin contact with either exclusive breastfeeding or provision of breastmilk – can significantly reduce the risk of sepsis, sepsis-related fatalities, and overall deaths among this vulnerable group by 18%, 36%, and 25% respectively.
Starting KMC immediately after birth, even before stabilization, bestows these babies with unmatched protection against serious infections. The method is now touted as a crucial strategy to fend off infections in babies born prematurely or with low birth weight.
The controlled studies was conducted from five countries and observed over 3,200 small or preterm infants. In this research, KMC began shortly after birth (within two hours) and continued both before and after the baby stabilized. This required the mother or a stand-in caregiver to remain with the newborn for extended periods in a facility termed a Mother–Newborn Intensive Care Unit
Dr. Harish Chellani and Dr. Sugandha Arya, two of the study’s Clinical Investigators based in Delhi, India, acknowledged initial apprehensions regarding potential infection risks due to continuous maternal presence in intensive care settings. However, contrary to these fears, the study demonstrated that immediate KMC actually diminished neonatal sepsis.
Furthermore, WHO now champions the initiation of KMC immediately after birth for all preterm or underweight babies. Such a shift will necessitate a radical transformation in neonatal care protocols to ensure zero separation between these babies and their families.
Interestingly, while the data pool on blood culture remains limited, there’s an intriguing observation: babies under immediate KMC appeared to have varied bacterial isolates in comparison to those receiving traditional care in incubators. Notably, these babies showed reduced prevalence of drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, potentially explaining the decreased mortality rates. However, additional research is needed to validate this observation.
In conclusion, the immediate KMC study, conducted between 2017 and 2020 across five countries, accentuates the profound benefits of early skin-to-skin contact. With mounting evidence in its favor, immediate Kangaroo Mother Care stands as a beacon of hope for the health and survival of preterm babies
How to do?
1: Choose the Right Time: Begin KMC when both the mother and baby are calm and relaxed.
2: Dress the Baby: The baby should be wearing only a diaper and, if needed, a hat.
3: Position the Baby: Place the baby upright on the mother’s bare chest, between her breasts.
4: Skin-to-Skin Contact: Ensure direct skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby.
5: Cover the Baby: Use a soft cloth or blanket to cover the baby’s back, ensuring the face is not covered.
6: Monitor Breathing: Baby’s face should be tilted slightly up, ensuring the nose and mouth are not obstructed.
7: Stay Relaxed: Both mother and baby should be in a relaxed and comfortable position.
8: Feed on Demand: Allow the baby to breastfeed whenever they show signs of hunger.
9: Bonding Time: Maintain the skin-to-skin contact for as long as possible. Practice Regularly: Aim for daily sessions, as consistent KMC provides numerous benefit.