The World Health Organization (WHO) is marking its first official World Prematurity Day celebration with the launch of a new global clinical practice guideline for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) – a simple, proven and life-saving intervention that significantly improves survival for preterm and low birth weight babies.
Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born very early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), and complications from preterm birth are the leading cause of death in children under five. In poorer countries, most extremely premature babies die within days – while in high-income countries, almost all survive.
KMC – which combines prolonged skin-to-skin contact with breast milk feeding – has been shown to dramatically improve outcomes for small and preterm infants and to be feasible and cost-effective in all settings. Among other positive effects, it is associated with more than a 30% reduction in neonatal deaths, a nearly 70% reduction in hypothermia and a 15% reduction in serious infections – as well as improved weight gain and better long-term health and cognitive development.
KMC is not just a clinical intervention – it empowers mothers and families and transforms newborn care. It should now be universal clinical practice for all young and premature babies, ensuring they have the best chance of survival and thriving.”
Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care
A life-saving intervention for all babies born early or small
Aimed at health workers, facility managers as well as caregivers, the new WHO guide offers detailed, step-by-step, customizable guidance on initiating, maintaining and monitoring KMC. It says all premature or low-birth-weight newborns should receive KMC starting soon after birth — unless they can’t breathe on their own or their blood pressure and circulation drop dangerously low, requiring emergency treatment.
While mothers should usually be the primary providers, fathers and other family members can also give KMC if the mother is unable – as well as providing critical emotional and practical support. KMC can be practiced at all levels of health facilities – from the delivery room or operating theater to postnatal wards and neonatal intensive care units – and can be continued at home.
The guide includes practical advice on how to secure the baby in the KMC position, whether using simple cloth wraps, elastic ties or specially designed clothing. It also describes how health facilities create enabling environments for KMC through supportive policies and staff training. Family-friendly approaches are crucial to successful implementation, the guide notes – including ensuring mothers can always be in the same room as their babies.
All small and sick newborns need special medical attention and care
On the World Day of Prematurity, with the theme “A strong start for a promising future”WHO calls on governments, health systems and partners to prioritize quality care for premature and low birth weight babies. This means ensuring dedicated wards or facilities with specially trained neonatal staff providing 24-hour care for young and sick newborns, as well as universal access to basic equipment and medicines such as antibiotics.
Because they have less time in the womb, many premature babies have underdeveloped lungs, brains, immune systems and the ability to regulate their temperature. This increases the risks of infections, hypothermia, heart problems, respiratory distress and other life-threatening complications.
“No newborn should die from preventable causes,” said Dr Per Ashorn, Head of the WHO’s Newborn and Child Health and Development Unit. “It’s time to make sure every baby gets the attention they need by investing in special care for young or sick babies, alongside quality maternity services that can prevent many premature births.”
