2.3 million newborns around the globe die every year

We're working to change that

Dear friend, In Kenya, newborn deaths remain a significant challenge. Many babies die within their first month of life — 22 newborns out of every 1,000. The risks are even higher for premature births.  This fear and uncertainty overwhelmed 25-year-old Phenny when she had to deliver her twins, Joy and Emmanuel, nearly two months prematurely.    Nurse Faith gives Joy a check-up at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya Both babies were very small when they were born and kept running fevers. Emmanuel had difficulties breathing — and Phenny was worried for her children’s survival.  Our doctor recommended Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) to help save her preterm and low-birth-weight newborns. KMC helps mothers and caregivers provide prolonged skin-to-skin contact to their infant by keeping the baby tied to their chest with a piece of cloth or harness. When possible, breastfeeding is encouraged. KMC provides protection against infection, regulates temperature, supports breathing and encourages mother/caregiver-baby bonding. Faith, one of the nurses at the hospital, looked after Phenny and taught her the KMC method. “At first, when I saw Phenny, I think it was during my night shift. She came with the babies. But they were so small. So small,” she said. With time, medication, IV fluids and full KMC, the babies’ health improved.  Joy and Emmanuel gained weight in Phenny’s care and have both made a full recovery.   2.3 million newborns around the globe die every year. Nearly 6,500 children born today will not live to see tomorrow. Many of these deaths — whether due to complications during childbirth, preterm birth or infections — are preventable. Newborn mortality is unacceptably high and Save the Children is addressing it head-on. Our teams are providing essential newborn care for all babies, which includes a clean delivery, encouraging skin-to-skin contact with the caregiver after birth, umbilical cord care and resuscitation at birth for non-breathing newborns.  With support from people like you, Save the Children is working to help new babies survive their first 28 days of life — the riskiest period for children — and beyond. Our teams are working to prevent the common causes of death and provide essential care to mothers and newborns. Learn more about our newborn and maternal health work around the world. With appreciation,  Save the Children     Privacy Policy | Contact | Unsubscribe   © 2026 Save the Children Federation, Inc. 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400 Fairfield, CT 06825 1-800-728-3843 Photo: Sacha Myers / Save the Children