A method to care for preterm/low birthweight infants in which the newborn is carried skin-to-skin with the mother. It is a very effective, easy-to-use method to promote the health and well-being of infants born preterm as well as low birth weight babies. Its key features are: early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother with temperature maintenance, breastfeeding/use of expressed breast milk; reduced hospitalization time for small babies already in the facility which reduces risk of cross infections; mothers at home can continue their normal activities while providing KMC to their newborn; however, mothers will also need support from others at home to maintain this continuous contact with the infant (Adapted from WHO 2003).
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