ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen Healthcare Women’s Services recently observed International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day by honoring former parents who participated in the program.

Kangaroo Care is a nurturing care model used on newborns, in which are placed skin-to-skin with their parent. This helps newborns to recover better after birth by decreasing stress and anxiety, stabilizing blood sugar, temperature and vital signs. The practice also promotes physical stimulation, breastfeeding and increased milk production.

Bladen Healthcare honored the participants by displaying a board the week of May 15, filled with pictures of mothers and fathers who participated in the program. Staff also distributed Kangaroo Care stickers and wore celebratory shirts while on duty.