Data from the Ministry of Health shows that every year, an estimated 134,000 to 193,000 babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation) in Kenya.
This translates to a national prevalence rate ranging between 7.1 to and 18.3 percent of all deliveries, where complications from these early births are the leading cause of neonatal deaths in the country
It’s in this regard that medics not just in Kisumu, but also in other parts of the country have come up with medically proven methods in a bid to reduce this pre term births and eventually eliminate it all together.
One of these methods is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). It’s a, globally recommended method of caring for newborns; especially premature or low-birth-weight babies. It’s done through continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from the hospital.
In this method the baby is placed naked (wearing only a diaper, socks, and a hat) in an upright, prone position against the parent’s bare chest, nestled between the breasts, just like the kangaroo, and that is where the method derives its name from.
The baby is then held securely in place with a wrap, sling, or specialized KMC garment, and covered with a blanket to maintain warmth.
Doctors say the prolonged skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the baby’s body temperature, breathing, and heart rate far more effectively than artificial incubators.
The method has been found to help in early discharge from the hospital, provided the baby is stable and feeding well, with continued monitoring and support.
Every child deserves a healthy start, but for babies born prematurely can cause distress to the mother, family and even medics attending to the expectant mother.
But at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), a simple, low-cost method is giving tiny, vulnerable infants a better chance of survival, rounded by love and warmth of the mother and family.
The facility has adopted Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) which has saved lives and removed anxiety on the face of many mothers, replacing it with a smile instead.
Nurse in charge of the newborn unit, Connie Omenge says, “KMC is simple but life-changing technique that keeps the babies warm, encouraging breastfeeding, promoting brain development and helping them gain weight faster. It enhances bonding between the baby and the mother.”
Omenge says by keeping the baby warm throughout, the baby does not need the incubator, adding, “When the baby is on the mother’s chest they are comfortable and relaxed; they feel loved even at that tender age and it enhances their growth and development and they tend to gain weight very fast.”
Kangaroo Mother Care is a method that centres on prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the baby and a caregiver, usually the mother, coupled with frequent breastfeeding and attentive care.
Named after the way a kangaroo carries its young, KMC recreates a warm, secure environment that stabilizes temperature, supports breathing and encourages breastfeeding all crucial elements for fragile newborns.
At JOOTRH, KMC is practiced in two main forms; Immediate KMC is initiated straight from the labour ward or delivery room, so long as the mother is stable; this can take place even if the baby still needs oxygen or other interventions.
On the other hand, Continuous KMC involves the mother staying with the baby for at least eight hours each day while in hospital, and mothers are advised to continue KMC at home after discharge until the baby reaches the recommended weight milestone.
Practically, KMC involves placing the baby upright on the mother’s bare chest, between her breasts, with the baby’s head turned to one side to keep the airway clear.
The infant is secured with a special wrap or binder so that the mother can sit, walk a little or rest without the baby slipping. Mothers are advised to wear accessible clothing to allow skin-to-skin contact, and babies should have a clean hat, socks and diapers for hygiene.
Feeding is central to KMC: breastfeeding on demand is encouraged; being close to the mother helps with latch and increases the frequency of feeds, which in turn supports milk production and steady weight gain.
After feeding, the mother should allow the baby to rest for about 30 minutes before placing them back on the chest. Monitoring and emergency care are also essential.
If a baby becomes agitated during KMC or a feed goes into the airway — a potentially life-threatening event the baby must be moved to the acute room immediately for suctioning and oxygen support.
“Often all babies qualify for KMC,” Omenge says, but JOOTRH focuses on babies who are clinically stable. The hospital usually starts KMC for infants weighing between 1.2 and 1.8 kgs.
While many neonatal guidelines recommend releasing babies once they reach 2,500 grams, JOOTRH commonly discharges infants at 1,800 g because of limited space; mothers are instructed to continue KMC at home until the baby reaches 2,500 g or 2.5kg.
“We discharge at 1.8 kg because of availability of space in the hospitals and others also need to benefit from KMC as the babies should attain 2.5kg,” Omenge said. “Though they are discharged at 1.8 kg they are advised to continue with KMC even at home.”
Nurses at JOOTRH report a number of clear benefits. Babies in KMC tend to gain weight steadily and continuously without weight drops, and they often reach discharge targets sooner. Continuous maternal contact reduces the number of different handlers, which lowers the chance of infection.
The calming effect of being on the mother’s chest appears to support brain development and overall growth.
“Because they are with the mother all the time there are fewer chances of them getting infections because the mother is taking care of them every time,” Omenge said.
“When the baby is doing well during KMC they should be gaining weight steadily and continuously without weight drop,” she said.
Despite its advantages, KMC faces practical and cultural hurdles. Some mothers resist starting KMC, saying they will be “sleeping all the time” or fearing the physical strain.
Omenge notes that counselling is critical; with proper explanation and support many initially hesitant mothers become cooperative and see rapid improvements in their babies.
“The mothers that know about KMC and are fully equipped with knowledge cooperate and do it well and they find that the baby is growing so fast and they go home soon,” she said.
Physical discomfort is a common concern: mothers worry about back pain from remaining in a single position for long stretches of time. Here, medics advise alternating positions; walking, sitting and sleeping and to reduce strain and maintain comfort.
However, JOOTRH currently lacks sufficient seating and space for mothers, which complicates prolonged KMC in the ward and contributes to earlier discharges so others can access care. Training of staff is another necessity.
Nurses and midwives must also know where to start KMC, the correct position to hold the baby, and the required items such as socks, hats and diapers to maintain hygiene and prevent direct soiling of the mother.
Kangaroo Mother Care is a safe, effective and low-cost intervention when practiced correctly. Nurse Omenge says it not only improves clinical outcomes but also restores a sense of agency and hope for mothers watching over fragile infants.
“Kangaroo Mother Care is very safe as long as the mother makes the baby assume the right position,” she says.”
Limitations remain space constraints, staffing needs and initial maternal reluctance but the experience at JOOTRH shows that with counselling, practical support and continued follow-up, KMC can transform neonatal care.
For the smallest babies, and their mothers, the simple act of being held close can mean the difference between uncertainty and survival, and for families the chance to go home sooner with a thriving child.
Reducing the risk of a preterm birth relies on early, consistent Prenatal Care, managing chronic conditions (like diabetes and high blood pressure), avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and spacing pregnancies at least 18 months apart.
Before delivery, medics also recommend a course of antenatal corticosteroids, and intrapartum magnesium sulfate. At delivery, they recommend delayed cord clamping for the preterm baby and after birth, medics recommend early feeding with breast milk for the preterm baby and immediate kangaroo care.
Meanwhile, Omenge roots for exclusive breastfeeding for the baby, which she says promotes health and supports healthy brain and weight development.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku and Kuta Cecilia
