Skin-to-skin contact essential for premature babies: Experts

Lucknow: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a skin-to-skin method of caring for premature and low-birth-weight babies, is most effective when supported by the entire family, experts said at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) on Wednesday.

They highlighted that continuous skin-to-skin contact helps maintain body temperature, stabilise breathing and heart rate, support breastfeeding and improve bonding between the baby and family members.

The observations were made during a two-day National Pilot Training-cum-Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on Nurturing Care under Facility-Based Newborn Care (FBNC), organised by KGMU’s department of paediatrics under the Union health ministry.

Experts said fathers and other caregivers can contribute to KMC, especially when mothers require rest or medical attention after childbirth.

Dr Shashi Vani, who inaugurated the programme, said nurturing care plays an important role in improving newborn survival, growth and neurodevelopment.

Neonatologist Dr Harish Chellani said, “Family participation, especially from fathers and caregivers, is essential for creating a nurturing environment for small and sick newborns.”

Prof Shalini Tripathi, from paediatrics department, KGMU, spoke on zero separation, KMC and Mother-Newborn Care Units, stressing the need to keep mothers and babies together and encourage parental involvement in newborn care.