Approximately 10% of all births across the globe each year are premature. Premature birth statistics compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the US, UK and Scandinavian countries indicates that there has been a dramatic rise in premature births over the last 20 years. This has been attributed to a number of factors including induction of labor and health problems of the Mom that effect the unborn baby. In fact, in the US, a staggering half a million children are born premature every year. Pre-term babies face great odds of survival yet we would all still prefer our newborns to be full term. Parents of preemie babies may experience the fear of the unknown and be afraid to touch, feel and caress their newborns in case they hurt them. Thankfully, a safe natural way does exist for such parents and their families to start bonding with their newborn babies. This practice is known as Kangaroo Mother Care.
