WATCH: World Health Organization Advises Kangaroo Mother Care Over Incubator For Preterm Babies

On Tuesday The World Health Organization (WHO) launched new guidelines to improve survival and health outcomes for babies born early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or small (under 2.5kg at birth). The guidelines advise that skin to skin contact with a caregiver – known as kangaroo mother care – should start immediately after birth, without any initial period in an incubator." The article affirmed, "Prematurity is an urgent public health issue. Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm, amounting to more than 1 in 10 of all births globally, and an even higher number - over 20 million babies - have a low birthweight. This number is rising, and prematurity is now the leading cause of death of children under 5." Furthermore, it stated, "For these babies, previous recommendations were for an initial period of separation from their primary caregiver, with the baby first stabilized in an incubator or warmer. This would take on average, around 3-7 days. However, research has now shown that starting kangaroo mother care immediately after birth saves many more lives, reduces infections and hypothermia, and improves feeding.