Worldwide, nearly 30 million babies are born prematurely each year. Of these, 1.2 million are born in the Americas region.
Since 2011, November 17 has been recognized as World Prematurity Day in order to give visibility to this problem, raise awareness of the needs and rights of premature babies and their families, raise awareness of the importance of experience and quality care from the health system and, thus, advance policies that guarantee the full rights of both babies and families.
This year, the theme is the promotion of skin-to-skin contact.
Skin-to-skin contact has proven to be an extremely beneficial and effective practice, especially important in the case of premature babies. Initiated immediately after birth, its practice contributes to the initiation and sustaining of breastfeeding, favors the stabilization of vital parameters such as heart rate and blood glucose levels, and helps the establishment of a healthy microbiota, aspects of importance both in the process of adaptation to extrauterine life after birth and in the medium and long term. It also aids relaxation and deep sleep. As long as clinical stability allows, skin-to-skin contact in premature infants is essential for a healthy and sensitive experience.
It is essential that healthcare teams are aware of the available evidence about the multiple benefits of this practice for the baby and for the families, and that they commit to and promote the right conditions for skin-to-skin care to be given optimally.
Likewise, it is necessary to continue working with families to accompany and guide them in the appropriate care for babies born prematurely.
Social media images and posts
🏽 Premature newborns are entitled to the immediate benefit of #Skin-to-Skin contact with their mother 🤱🏾as well as full-term newborns. Even if they require intensive care, if their clinical stability allows so. #PrematurityAwarenessMonth❤️
The #SkinToSkin contact 🤱🏾 is important for premature babies
🔸 Establishes the basis for the best development
🔸 Promotes the onset of breastfeeding
🔸 Stabilizes vital parameters (heart rate and blood glucose levels).
🔸 Promotes a healthy intestinal flora.#PrematurityAwarenessMonth
🔸 Mothers of young, sick or premature babies should be accompanied and supported so that they can breastfeed as soon as possible. 🤱🏾
🔸 Human milk banks are another alternative to consider in these cases. #PrematurityAwarenes Month❤️
#SkinToSkin
#PrematurityAwarenessMonth❤
The #SkinToSkin contact of the premature baby, hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, with his/her mother, favors the mother's milk production and the baby's initiative for breastfeeding, which is achieved more efficiently and more quickly 👍🏽
#PrematurityAwarenessMonth❤️
The sensory stimulation generated by the #Skin-to-Skin contact in premature babies is essential for loving and sensitive care, needed for their development. 🤱🏾 It is linked to the emotions and memory, favors oxytocin secretion and enhances bonding.
#PrematurityAwarenessMonth ❤️
The #SkinToSkin contact, family-centered care model, breast milk supply 🤱🏻 👉🏽 empower mothers in the care of their premature baby. The first hours ⏳ and days are crucial in providing support and establishing breastfeeding. ❤️
#PrematurityAwarenessMonth.