Tiny Miracles: Twins’ Fragile Beginnings Blossom into a Bright Future
Improving the survival and health of preterm and low birth weight babies
In a brightly lit, eight-bed room in Kilifi County Referral Hospital in coastal Kenya, two sisters sit closely, cradling tiny, fragile babies against their bare chests.
The sisters are practicing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a skin-to-skin contact method recommended by doctors, which regulates the temperature of premature babies. This method stabilizes newborn babies’ breathing and strengthens the connection between mother and child.
Monica, 22, gave birth to her twin boys early. Since they weighed just 1.6kg each, the doctor recommended they remain in hospital for specialized care until they reach two kilograms.
"Since I can only provide Kangaroo Mother Care to one baby, I called my sister, Everline, to help me with skin-to-skin contact," said Monica, enjoying an activity that has bonded the sisters as well as the newborn twins. This tender love ritual, in a moment of vulnerability and hope, has become an expression of affection, connection, and commitment to ensure the little ones survive and thrive.
“My husband visits and we eagerly look forward to bringing our babies home and caring for them together," Monica said. As the twins nestle against their mother and aunt, receiving the essential warmth, love, and stability that Kangaroo Mother Care provides, the sisters also find healing and strength in each other's presence.
UNICEF Kenya Health Specialist Dr. Laura Oyiengo notes that the impact of Kangaroo Mother Care has led to more preterm babies surviving and being able to go home once they weigh two kilograms.
"Kangaroo Mother Care significantly improves the survival and health of preterm and low birth weight babies by reducing the risk of infections, hypothermia, and death. It helps babies regulate their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature, stimulates digestion and interest in feeding, supports breastfeeding and milk production, improves sleep, and strengthens the bond between parents and their babies," said Dr. Laura
Dr. Laura also encourages male partners and significant others to participate in providing skin-to-skin care, as a collaborative practice that allows both parents to share the responsibility and to ensure the mother and baby are supported even upon being discharged.
Research shows that KMC significantly reduces newborn mortality rates. A World Health Organizatiion study on Kangaroo mother care implementation strategy for scale-up adaptable to different country contexts showed 36% lower mortality rate for low-birth-weight newborns compared to conventional hospital care.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Kilifi County Government and other stakeholders, with the support of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is working to improve the health and wellbeing of the region's most vulnerable mothers and children. This collaboration focuses on strengthening healthcare systems, enhancing maternal and newborn health services such as Kangaroo Mother Care, and ensuring access to high quality maternal and newborn care.
Nurse Lily Konde, who coordinates the Newborn Unit, adds that KMC is particularly important for multiple births like twins and triplets.
Nurse Konde was trained by UNICEF Kenya with funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The programme has significantly improved the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers as well as boosting their motivation, confidence and improving the quality of newborn care. This ultimately encourages more mothers to come for antenatal care and deliver in health facilities.
Midwives have been trained to become caregivers, motivators, friends and educators, teaching parents how to care for fragile preterm babies. The nurses are also a pillar of support, offering a listening ear and words of encouragement, as they champion the survival of every newborn baby.
"We received training on essential newborn care, emergency response, immediate post-birth care, timely transfer to the High Dependency Unit for Specialized Treatment, and the practice of Kangaroo Mother Care," said Konde. She describes nursing as rewarding and fulfilling, with a sense of purpose that was nurtured by her love for children and an ambition to care for sick people.
For Nurse Konde, each small victory—ensuring that a sick newborn is stabilized, a mother smiles again, a baby is discharged to go home—fuels her passion and reminds her why she chose this path.
"I admired nurses and prayed that one day I would bring a smile to patients' faces. Today, I am filled with moments of compassion, resilience, and dedication as I care for babies that are vulnerable, such as Monica’s twins," Konde added.
After weeks of dedicated care, the twin boys reached their target weight. As the family prepared to leave the hospital, their faces are jovial and their hearts filled with gratitude for the simple yet life-saving method of Kangaroo Mother Care. "It was challenging, but holding them close daily gave me hope," Monica said.
As the tiny boys were discharged, they were both breastfeeding well with strong coos and cries. Thanks to life-saving skin-to-skin Kangaroo Mother Care, these babies are set to begin their journey to a healthy future.
