Did you know that approximately 3.6 million infants die in the first four weeks of life globally? The number is actually greater than this because there is a large number of unaccounted for deaths that occur at home. Much progress has been made but there is still a lot more that needs to be done. Some of this progress has been thanks to Kangaroo Mother Care.
Main Causes of Babys Not Surviving
There are three main causes of infant death globally, these are:
Infections
Complication of premature birth
Deaths related to labor and delivery or birth asphyxia
Complications of Premature Birth
Premature births are a direct cause of death in addition to being a risk factor. One of the main complications of pre-term delivery is low birth weight. Low birth weight is common in pre-term babies but it can also manifest in babies that go through the full gestational period. Low birth weight and/or pre-term delivery can lead to the following:
as a result of infection a pre-term underweight infant has a weak immune system which makes it susceptible to diseases
as result of asphyxiation a pre-term child may have difficulty breathing because the lungs are not fully developed or due to poor breathing regulation
Inability to feed well leading to a variety of other complications
Future developmental problems the child may delay reaching major milestones such as sitting up, talking, crawling, walking and so forth. This can continue into adolescence with negative psychological and emotional impact.

This is where Kangaroo Mother care bounces in and helps these babies to revive and survive.
What Can be done for Pre-Term and/or Low Birth Weight Infants?
A solution exists in the name of Kangaroo Mother Care. The emphasis of Kangaroo Mother Care is letting nature provide the solution in a controlled environment. The name arose from the manner Kangaroos take care of their young in the wild. In case, you did not know, Kangaroo babies (Joeys) are some of the most fragile creatures when born. They measure only a few centimeters and are blind at birth. Despite this, a Kangaroo is able to take care of the tiny Joey in its pouch until it grows old enough to leave the pouch.
How Does Kangaroo Mother Care Work?
The mother holds the infant close to her chest in skin-to-skin contact, preferably in between her breasts. A warm covering is then used to cover the child. In this position, the child immediately becomes calm as they pay attention to the mothers breathing, beating heart and speech.
What are the Benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care?
Research has proven that infants benefit immensely. Calmer infants breastfeed better and hence gain weight much faster. It has also been proven that the mothers breathing helps infants regulate their own breathing and pulse rate.
How Much Does Kangaroo Mother Care Cost?
Nothing! Thats right; it doesnt cost anything extra to begin Kangaroo Mother Care. You only need to have this information so that if your care givers do not offer this option to you, you can request or even demand it. The only requirement is that your child should be able to breathe on their own and all other vitals should be stable.