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By: Rudzani Matshili
 In celebration of Kangaroo Care Week, mothers whose premature babies are admitted at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital were educated on the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and others were given a platform to share their experiences.
The method allows for skin-to-skin contact between mother and the baby. During each session, the baby is placed (naked except for a nappy and hat) on the mother's chest for few hours. A hospital gown or robe is wrapped around the mother and over the baby's back for warmth.

Mothers appreciated the opportunity to spend time with their littles ones and expressed gratitude to the staff for their support.  

One of the mothers, Letlhogonolo Malope, said the method helps her bond with her baby and the sessions brings them closer.   
"I had come to the hospital for my antenatal check-up when I was told that I will be having a baby that same day. At first, things were very difficult because my baby wasn't growing, and she was so tiny, which made it hard for me to accept her."
 
Malope further said: "As my baby started improving, the friendly nurses here told me about KMC which I didn't even know about. As I kept doing it, holding her to my chest, I started to have a bond with my baby and developed love for her. I would like to thank the friendly staff members for their help and taking me through this journey," she said.  
 
On the day, nurses educated mothers on the benefits of KMC such as increasing breast milk supply, increasing the mother's confidence in the ability to care for her new baby as well as increasing the mother's sense of control.

The unit's operational Manager Sister Shalate Chauke said:  "As we celebrate Kangaroo Care Week, we would like to take this opportunity to appreciate all of you mothers for the efforts you are putting in. We are aware that this is a very difficult situation for you, but it's what God has decided. We are also using this periodto raise awareness and highlight the physiological and psychological benefits of kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin contact."