Get ready for a heartwarming celebration of love, care, and the incredible bond between parents and their newborns
On May 15th, we celebrate International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, a special day dedicated to promoting the practice of kangaroo care for premature and newborn babies.
What is Kangaroo Care?
Kangaroo care is a method of holding a newborn baby skin-to-skin with their parent or caregiver. To do this, place the baby, dressed only in a diaper, on the parent’s chest. Cover both with a warm blanket. This practice has been proven to provide numerous benefits for both the baby and the parent, including improving bonding, stabilizing the baby’s heart rate and temperature, and reducing stress.
A Brief History of International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day
International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day was established in 2011 by a group of dedicated kangaroo care advocates who wanted to spread awareness about the benefits of this practice around the world. Their goal was to encourage hospitals, medical professionals, and parents to embrace kangaroo care as a standard practice for newborns, especially those born prematurely.
The movement gained momentum, and today, countries across the globe participate in this annual event. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have endorsed kangaroo care as an essential component of neonatal care.
Ideas for International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day
Wondering how you can participate in this special day? Here are some tips and ideas to help you celebrate International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day:
- Spread the word: Share information about kangaroo care and its benefits on social media using the hashtag #KangarooCareDay. Educate your friends and family about this wonderful practice.
- Join a local event: Look for local events or support groups that promote kangaroo care. You can find community resources and organizations related to the holiday through March of Dimes or La Leche League International.
- Donate to a cause: Consider donating to organizations that support kangaroo care research and education, such as the Kangaroo Foundation.
- Practice kangaroo care with your newborn: If you’re a parent of a newborn, take some time on May 15th to enjoy skin-to-skin contact with your little one.
- Thank a healthcare professional: Show appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who promote and support kangaroo care.
Today we bring you three sapphic books with babies or ones on the way.
Looking for more books with parents or caregivers in them? Start here!
