12 • 2023 • Developmental Observer My Story In 2004 I delivered twins at 25 weeks gestation, and this changed my life forever. After years of struggling with fertility issues, miscarriages and then being diagnosed with cervical incompetence I deliv- ered my first surviving daughter at 30 weeks, following 8 weeks in hospital on bed rest. Two years later after three weeks of bed rest in the hospital, I had an emergency cesarean section to deliver my twins at just 25 weeks gestation. In 2005 I was asked to attend a meeting with other parents to explore the estab- lishment of a parent support network. I jumped at the idea as my second surviving daughter was home with us, but we were also dealing with the grief and loss of our son after two days of life. As hard as it was, I knew that we needed to make more positive changes for families experiencing such a life-changing experience. Even though I didn’t see it at the time, my expe- rience and courage to share my personal story could help so many other families. Resilience is something you reflect on afterward, not realizing at the time what it is. I just remember trying to breathe and having some type of normal function to care for my two daughters. Many years later I do believe that in some way I knew my experience could help other parents and sharing my heartbreak could change the future of care for babies and families. As a result of my personal experience, I am the co-founder of Miracle Babies Foundation, Australia’s leading organisation for parents that supports premature and sick babies and their families. Since 2017 I have been CEO, leading the or- ganisation to deliver our vision of ‘better, healthier outcomes for newborns and their families challenged by prematurity or sickness.’ An Invitation In November 2022, I was invited to attend The XIII Interna- tional Kangaroo Mother Care Congress in Madrid Spain as a parent representative. I always felt that we could do kangaroo care better in Australia. This important healthcare congress included two days of learning through workshops with other parent representatives and clinicians from across the globe. I was so impressed with the two days of conference presen- tations with such inspiring work being delivered saving lives right around the world. Also, in November 2022, in line with World Prematurity Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its advice for immediate skin-to-skin care for the survival of small and preterm babies. WHO advises immediate skin to skin care for survival of small and preterm babies The guidelines advise that skin-to-skin contact with a par- ent – known as kangaroo mother care, should start immediate- ly after birth, without an initial period of time in an incubator. This marks a significant change from earlier guidance and common clinical practice, reflecting the immense health ben- efits of ensuring caregivers and their preterm babies stay close, without being separated, after birth. ‘Preterm babies can survive, thrive, and change the world – but each baby must be given that chance,’ said Dr. Tedros Ad- hanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. ‘These guide- lines show that improving outcomes for these tiny babies are not always about providing the most high-tech solutions, but Kylie and Scarlett Global Perspective on Developmental Care Inspiring Global Outcomes – Kangaroo Mother Care Kylie Pussell, Co-Founder Miracle Babies Foundation, Australia DOI: 10.14434/do.v16i2.36198 2023 • Developmental Observer • 13 rather ensuring access to essential healthcare that is centered around the needs of families.’ The XIII International Kangaroo Mother Care Congress was hosted by International Network in Kangaroo Mother Care (INK) and featured presentations from Colombia, Spain, the USA, Philippines, Canada, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Vietnam, France, India, Ethiopia, Qatar, and Cameroon. A truly global forum. The presentations were inspiring! There is so much good that can come from kangaroo mother care and immediate contact after birth that benefits both baby and mum, dad, and partner. That this human connection can save hundreds of thousands of babies’ lives every year across the world, high- lights the miracle of life and love. I was touched by the open and emotional presentation of the EFCNI (European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants) Chair and Co-Founder, Silke Mader who emphasized the importance of parent involvement and the primary care- giving role for parents. She encouraged clinicians across the globe to partner with parents and parent groups to continue improving the care for babies and parents. A presentation delivered by the World Health Organi- zation noted that the current impact of kangaroo mother care globally was 5% coverage which resulted in the saving of 10,000 babies’ lives a year. To add impact and scale up im- plementation research to a 60% coverage would result in the saving of 150,000 babies’ lives per year and at the high end of the potential with 80% coverage, would prevent 400,000 babies from losing their fight for life each year globally. This was real- ly amazing to hear of such an impact of parents’ love and touch on health outcomes for their babies. The WHO also shared that 20 million, 15% of all births worldwide are babies born with low birth weight, 95% of these babies are from low- and middle-income countries and heart- breakingly account for 70-80% of neonatal deaths. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241590351 Parents Involvement The WHO guidelines bring home the importance of parents’ involvement and touch immediately after birth and it is great to see so much research and improvement in zero separation for families from those at the INK Congress and beyond. When my twins were born at 25 weeks in 2004 via emer- gency cesarean section, their resuscitation and stabilizing were the priority. On day two of life, my son Marcus passed away from his extreme prematurity and I never got the chance to kangaroo care with him. When Scarlet was eight days old, I was offered to hold her, it wasn’t kangaroo care or skin to skin and it was only for a few moments. As Scarlet grew stronger, we did get to have kangaroo care with her, but it should have been earli- er. Knowing what I now know about the benefits of kangaroo care and this life-saving connection, I want all parents to feel educated on kangaroo care and advocate for their baby to have this very special time and ask for zero separation at birth. More touch, love, and bonding in those early moments can really be lifesaving and improve outcomes for babies and families. Kylie at the conference in Madrid Networking with International colleagues Dr Samia Rizwan from Pakistan, Kylie, Mandy Daly from Ireland and Dr Pierre Kuhn from France https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241590351 14 • 2023 • Developmental Observer In Australia, we celebrate International Kangaroo Care Day on 15th May each year and host our annual Kanga- roo-A-Thon with participating hospitals to raise awareness and education about kangaroo care. This day was established by Yamile Jackson, Founder of the Zaky Hand and mother to Zak, another passionate movement for Kangaroo Care. Networking We need to globally work together to share experiences and outcomes to increase education and access to kangaroo care. It can all play a part in improving parents’ mental health and confidence and in some circumstances can save a life. In attend- ing the IKMC conference in 2022, I was able to meet so many other clinicians and parents passionate about improving educa- tion, awareness, and saving lives. These networking connections are invaluable for all countries to learn from each other and help all newborns have the best opportunities from birth. I look forward to a NICU world where all babies and fami- lies are cared for together. Where parents feel like parents right from the start. And all babies no matter where they are born can have a better start to life. In helping more babies and families have earlier access to kangaroo care and be more involved in their baby’s neonatal journey as the primary caregivers, we can work toward zero separation, saving more lives and creating better, healthier outcomes. To find out more about Kangaroo Mother Care and Skin to Skin contact please visit Kangaroo Care Awareness Campaign - Miracle Babies Many participating countries ISSN: 2689-2650 (online) All published items have a unique document identifier (DOI) The official publication of the NIDCAP Federation International published on-line three times a year. ©2023. The statements and opinions contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not necessarily of the NIDCAP Federation International. Articles from the Developmental Observer, duly acknowledged, may be reprinted with permission. Please contact us at: developmentalobserver@nidcap.org. Contributions We would like to thank all of our individual donors for their generous support of the NFI and its continuing work. 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