Articles

Enhancing Newborn Survival Through Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care

By Treezer Michelle Atieno
Healthcare workers from five referral hospitals in Kenya recently completed a
training program focused on Comprehensive Newborn Care, with a strong
emphasis on a new practice called Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (IKMC).
This initiative, supported by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) in
collaboration with the Ministry of Health, saw participation from Kisumu, Kisii,
Kakamega, and Bungoma Counties Referral Hospitals. The 28 participants were
equipped with the knowledge and skills to champion IKMC as a vital tool for
improving the lives of premature babies.
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a method of caring for preterm and low-birth-
weight infants that involves prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the baby and
the mother (or another family member). This practice, first introduced in Colombia in
the 1970s as a response to overcrowded and resource-limited neonatal intensive
care units, has since gained global recognition for its numerous benefits.
IKMC, an immediate and continuous form of KMC, involves placing the baby on the
mother's chest immediately after birth. This close physical contact offers several
key advantages that contribute to increased child survival rates by stabilizing the
infant's heart rate, breathing, and temperature. These vital signs are often unstable
in premature and low-birth-weight babies, and IKMC can significantly reduce the
risk of complications related to these instabilities.
Premature babies are also prone to hypothermia due to their low body fat and
immature temperature regulation systems. The warmth provided by the mother's
body during IKMC helps maintain the baby's body temperature, reducing the risk of
hypothermia and associated health issues.
IKMC also promotes the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. The
close contact stimulates the baby's natural breastfeeding instincts and enhances
milk production in the mother. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and

antibodies that are crucial for the baby's growth, development, and immune
protection.
Studies have shown that IKMC can reduce the incidence of infections in newborns.
The skin-to-skin contact helps transfer the mother's beneficial microbiota to the
baby, strengthening the infant's immune system and providing a natural defense
against harmful pathogens.
Moreover, the bond formed through IKMC between the baby and the mother (or
family member) is profound. This bonding reduces stress and anxiety in both the
infant and the mother, which can positively impact the baby's overall development
and well-being.
Following the training, participants received a guide to facilitate mentorship and
practical application of the learned skills. Hospital teams will undergo mentorship
programs, allowing them to practice these techniques with real patients in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NBU). Additionally, the NBU will be reorganized to
support the implementation of these best practices, ensuring that the environment
is conducive to the care of premature and sick newborns.
This initiative highlights Kenya’s commitment to improving newborn care through
innovative practices like IKMC. By equipping healthcare workers with the necessary
knowledge and skills, this program aims to ensure better health outcomes for
premature babies across the region. The successful implementation of IKMC and
other comprehensive newborn care practices could significantly reduce neonatal
mortality and improve the quality of life for countless families.

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