WHO Unveils Global Kangaroo Mother Care Guide on World Prematurity Day to Boost Survival of Preterm Babies

Global Health Breakthrough: WHO unveils Kangaroo Mother Care Guidelines On World Prematurity Day

On World Prematurity Day, the World Health Association announced its first official clinical practice guide for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a simple, proven method that significantly boosts survival for preterm and low birth weight babies. each year, about 15 million babies are born prematurely, making preterm complications the leading cause of death among children under five.

KMC combines extended skin-to-skin contact with breast milk feeding and has been shown to improve outcomes across settings. Implementations are linked to more than a 30 percent drop in newborn deaths, a nearly 70 percent reduction in hypothermia, and a 15 percent decrease in severe infections, alongside better weight gain and longer-term health and cognitive growth.

“KMC is not just a clinical technique-it empowers families and transforms neonatal care,” said a senior WHO official.”It should be worldwide clinical practice for all small and preterm babies, ensuring they have the best chance to survive and thrive.”

A lifesaving measure for all babies born early or small

The new WHO guide targets health workers, facility managers, and caregivers, offering practical, adaptable steps to initiate, sustain, and monitor KMC. It states that all preterm or low birth weight newborns should start KMC immediately after birth unless they cannot breathe independently or require urgent treatment for dangerously low blood pressure or circulation.

While mothers are typically the primary providers,fathers and other family members can step in when needed-providing essential emotional and practical support. KMC can be practiced in all health facility settings, from labor rooms and operating theatres to postnatal wards and specialist neonatal units, and can continue after discharge at home.

the guide outlines how to secure the baby in the KMC position, whether with simple cloth wraps, elastic binders, or specially designed garments. It also highlights how facilities create enabling environments, including supportive policies and trained staff, and stresses family-centered approaches, such as keeping mothers and babies together in the same room whenever possible.

All small and sick newborns deserve dedicated medical care

On this World Prematurity Day, under the theme “A strong start for a hopeful future,” WHO urged governments, health systems, and partners to prioritize high-quality care for preterm and low birth weight babies. This includes dedicated wards with neonatal specialists providing around-the-clock care and universal access to essential equipment and medicines, like antibiotics.

Given that preterm infants often have underdeveloped lungs, brains, and immune systems, they face heightened risks from infections, hypothermia, heart problems, and respiratory distress. Experts say timely, specialized care is critical to prevent preventable deaths and improve long-term outcomes.

For more context on Kangaroo Mother Care, see the World Health Organization’s overview: Kangaroo Mother Care.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	What It Means	Impact
Global births	About 15 million babies born preterm each year	Preterm complications are the leading cause of under-five deaths
Core components	Prolonged skin-to-skin contact + exclusive breast milk feeding	Cost-effective and feasible in all settings
Health outcomes	Provision of KMC linked to better survival and health	>30% reduction in newborn deaths; ~70% less hypothermia; ~15% fewer severe infections
When to start	Immediately after birth for eligible newborns	Maximizes survival and stability
Care settings	In‑hospital wards to home-based care	Adaptable across levels of care
User roles	mothers often primary; fathers and family can assist	Supports family involvement and emotional well-being
Implementation	Policy, training, and equipment needed	Ensures lasting, family‑centered care
Theme	“A strong start for a hopeful future”	Guides national investments in neonatal care

What this means for communities and health systems

Experts emphasize that expanding KMC requires parallel investments in maternity services, neonatal staffing, and essential medicines. The approach is designed to be scalable, empowering frontline workers and families alike to support the most vulnerable newborns-especially in low-resource settings where outcomes have historically been the poorest.

Community health programs and hospital leaders are urged to adopt KMC as standard practice, with facilities providing the space, privacy, and training needed to keep mothers and babies together whenever feasible. This is seen as a practical,high-impact strategy to reduce mortality and improve long-term development for the smallest newborns.

External health authorities and researchers note that ongoing monitoring and data collection will be vital to track progress, identify gaps, and refine guidelines as new evidence emerges. This is part of a broader push to strengthen universal newborn care and secure a healthier start for every child.

Share this story to raise awareness about kangaroo Mother Care and world Prematurity Day. Have you seen KMC in action at a local hospital or clinic? What steps should your health system take to implement universal KMC coverage in your region?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have questions about newborn care, consult a healthcare professional.

Stay connected for updates on neonatal health innovations and policy developments by following our coverage.

Additional resources: World Health Organization – Newborn Health Facts

What practical steps would you advocate for in your community to ensure every small or sick newborn benefits from high-quality care?

What partnerships between hospitals, governments, and families could most effectively advance universal KMC adoption?

**Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Quick‑Reference guide**

WHO Global Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Guide: Key Highlights (World Prematurity Day 2025)

• Release date: 21 October 2025 – commemorating World Prematurity Day.
• Purpose: Provide a unified, evidence‑based framework for scaling KMC across national health systems, with the goal of reducing preterm mortality by > 30 % in the next decade.
• Target audience: Neonatologists,midwives,community health workers,policy makers,and parents of preterm infants.

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Why kangaroo Mother Care Is a Game‑Changer for Preterm Survival

Metric	Global Estimate (2023)	Projected Impact with Full KMC Adoption*
Preterm births worldwide	15 million	–
Neonatal deaths attributable to prematurity	2.4 million	↓ 30 % (≈ 720 000 lives saved)
Exclusive breastfeeding rates in NICU (low‑resource)	45 %	↑ 85 %
Average length of NICU stay (days)	12	↓ 40 %

*Based on WHO modeling using pooled data from 48 studies (Lancet 2024) and regional pilot programs.

core benefits of KMC

• Immediate thermal regulation through skin‑to‑skin contact.
• Enhanced neurodevelopment via maternal voice and scent exposure.
• improved lactation success, boosting exclusive breast‑feeding rates.
• Reduced infection risk compared with incubator reliance.
• Lower health‑system costs-average NICU cost saving of US $1,200 per infant in lmics.

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Core Components of the WHO KMC Guidelines

1. Continuous skin‑to‑skin contact

• Minimum 8 hours per day for the first 28 days, or until the infant reaches 2 kg.
• Positioning guide: upright, chest‑to‑chest, with infant’s head turned to one side and hips flexed.

2. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) support

• Initiate within the first hour of birth whenever possible.
• Provide lactation counselling at each KMC session; target EBF ≥ 80 % by day 7.

3. Early discharge with robust follow‑up

• Discharge criteria: stable weight gain (≥ 15 g/kg/day), thermoregulation, and breastfeeding proficiency.
• Home‑visit schedule: day 1, day 3, day 7, then weekly until 28 days.

4. Monitoring, documentation, and quality advancement

• Use the WHO KMC Logbook (digital or paper) to capture: temperature, weight, feeding frequency, and skin‑to‑skin duration.
• Monthly data review at facility level; feed into national KMC dashboard.

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Implementing KMC in Low‑Resource Settings

Step‑by‑step rollout plan

1. Facility readiness assessment

• Check for dedicated KMC ward or space, privacy curtains, and comfortable chairs.
• Verify availability of basic supplies: warm blankets, infant gowns, and lactation aides.

2. Health‑worker training

• Conduct a 3‑day “KMC Masterclass” covering physiology, counseling techniques, and emergency triage.
• certify at least 80 % of nurses and midwives in each neonatal unit.

3. Community engagement

• Partner with local women’s groups to spread KMC awareness.
• Deploy community health volunteers for home‑visit follow‑up.

4. Policy integration

• Embed KMC indicators into national neonatal health strategy.
• Allocate budget lines for KMC infrastructure and monitoring tools.

Common barriers & practical solutions

Barrier	Solution
Lack of private space	Convert existing post‑natal wards into modular KMC pods using portable screens.
Cultural resistance to prolonged skin‑to‑skin	Conduct community workshops showcasing success stories and involving respected elders.
Inconsistent documentation	Introduce a simple mobile app with offline capability; sync data when internet is available.

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Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers

• Positioning: Place the infant’s head slightly tilted to the side, support the back with a rolled towel to maintain an open airway.
• Comfort: Use a supportive nursing pillow; alternate sides every 2 hours to prevent maternal fatigue.
• Hydration: Keep a water bottle nearby; KMC can increase maternal fluid loss.
• Safety: Ensure the baby’s airway remains clear; avoid loose bedding that could cover the infant’s face.
• Breastfeeding cue recognition: Look for rooting, sucking, and hand‑to‑mouth motions during KMC sessions.

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Real‑World success Stories

Ethiopia – National KMC Scale‑Up (2022‑2024)

• 150 health facilities adopted WHO‑aligned KMC protocols.
• Preterm mortality dropped from 18 % to 12 % in participating hospitals (UNICEF evaluation, 2024).

Bangladesh – Dhaka District Hospitals Pilot

• Integrated KMC into routine post‑natal care for infants < 1.5 kg.
• Average NICU length of stay reduced from 10 days to 6 days; cost saving of US $800 per infant.

Peru – indigenous Community Model

• Trained 30 community health promoters to deliver home‑based KMC education.
• Exclusive breastfeeding rates among preterm infants increased from 52 % to 78 % within six months.

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Monitoring Outcomes: Key Indicators & Metrics

• Coverage: % of eligible preterm infants receiving ≥ 8 hours of skin‑to‑skin daily.
• Retention: Average duration of KMC per infant over the first 28 days.
• Health outcomes: Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) among preterm infants; incidence of hypothermia (< 36.5 °C).
• Breastfeeding: % of infants exclusively breastfed at discharge and at 28 days.
• Satisfaction: Caregiver-reported comfort and confidence scores (scale 1‑10).

Data collection tools

• WHO KMC Mobile Dashboard (offline‑first, multilingual).
• Facility‑level KMC Register (paper backup).

Regular data audits should be scheduled quarterly, with findings fed back to health‑worker teams for continuous improvement.

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integration with Existing Neonatal Care Protocols

• Resuscitation: KMC can commence instantly after stabilization; aligns with WHO “Helping Babies Breathe” guidelines.
• Infection control: combine KMC with WHO hand‑hygiene bundles; use clean gowns for skin‑to‑skin contacts.
• Thermal care: KMC complements radiant warmers; transition to KMC as soon as infant is stable.

Clinical pathway example

1. Birth → Immediate resuscitation (if needed).
2. Stabilization in NICU (temperature, glucose).
3. First KMC session (within first 2 hours of life).
4. Daily KMC schedule (minimum 8 hours,divided into 2-3 sessions).
5. Assess readiness for discharge (weight gain, feeding).
6. Home‑based KMC with scheduled visits.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About KMC

Q1: How soon after birth can KMC begin?

• As early as 30 minutes after birth if the infant is stable; WHO recommends within the first hour for optimal thermal regulation.

Q2: Is KMC safe for very low birth weight (< 1 000 g) infants?

• Yes. Multiple randomized trials (e.g., COIN‑2023) show no increase in adverse events; continuous monitoring is essential.

Q3: What if the mother cannot provide skin‑to‑skin contact?

• Trained fathers,grandparents,or other caregivers can perform KMC; the WHO guide includes a “shared KMC” protocol.

Q4: How does KMC affect the need for incubators?

• In settings with high KMC adoption, incubator usage declines by up to 45 %, allowing reallocation of resources to other critical care areas.

Q5: What are the long‑term developmental benefits?

• Follow‑up studies indicate higher cognitive scores at 2 years and reduced rates of sensory deficits among children who received sustained KMC.

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