Premies get a warm snuggle

In the October 2010 issue of Oprah, a product designed by Jane Chen is a nifty solution to keeping premature babies warm without the use of an expensive incubator. In some developing countries, the absence of incubators poses a challenge to the health care providers attempting to care for premature and term babies who require specialized care. This little bunting has a hood but most importantly, a heat source that tucks into a pocket of the little sleep sack. The waxlike substance can be melted in hot water and then placed in the pocket to maintain a temperature of 98.6 degrees. Every 4 to 6 hours, the packet can be re-warmed and replaced. The cost is under $100. Apparently families can use these at home. The product will be introduced to India and then China and Africa. Chen hopes it saves the lives of 100,000 babies. It sounds wonderful to me. My only caveat is that the mother is a great heat source, maintaining the perfect skin temperature without any cost or need to renew every few hours. Skin to skin holding also offers many benefits beyond temperature control. The mother should be encouraged to hold her baby on her chest as a first choice of intervention. Maintaining a baby’s normal temperature is one of the MOST important therapies for newborns right up there with recognizing the role of the parent and providing the information for her to do the best for her baby.