PREMATURE BABY DAY CELEBRATION

16/11/2023 Author: quantriad1 Consultant: Medical Team

November 17 marks World Premature Baby Day, aimed at raising awareness among families and society about premature infants. With 1 in 10 births being premature, approximately 15 million premature babies are born worldwide each year.

The day aims to increase awareness of the challenges and difficulties faced by premature babies and their families. It also honors the resilience and strength of families raising premature babies, extending a circle of hope, love, empathy, and comprehensive support to create a world full of love for these children.

Initiated by EFCNI (European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants) and the European Parent Association in 2008, the World Premature Baby Day has become a global celebration for premature babies, involving over 100 countries in various activities and events to address premature birth issues and improve the well-being of premature babies and their families.

Theme of World Premature Baby Day 2023: “Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Skin-to-Skin Immediately Anywhere”

The 2023 World Premature Baby Day emphasizes the importance of early skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies, anywhere and anytime. This is crucial to provide loving care and enhance sensory awareness for the baby. Skin-to-skin contact with the mother contributes to emotional development, memory enhancement, improved breathing, reduction in breathing difficulties, easier breastfeeding, better sleep, and promotes the release of oxytocin in mothers, enhancing the mother-child bond and preventing postpartum depression. This plays a crucial role in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding.
The significance of World Premature Baby Day 2023 is to raise awareness about prematurity and encourage research and prevention methods.
Established on March 12, 2020, the Kangaroo Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – Unit 3 has successfully fulfilled its mission of aiding comprehensive development, including skin-to-skin care, for premature babies, even in critical conditions requiring respiratory support. Each year, nearly 2,000 premature babies receive treatment and care at the Neonatal Care Center, overcoming early life challenges. On this occasion, the Neonatal Care Center at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital collaborates with sponsors to provide meaningful gifts for premature infants undergoing treatment, aiming to provide both material and emotional support for the babies and their families.

Caring for premature babies is a challenging but meaningful journey. For premature babies to have a brighter future, it requires not only the dedicated efforts of medical professionals but also the perseverance and support of families and the community. As our children grow healthier every day, all our hardships become worthwhile.