Some visuals possess such profound warmth and tenderness that they captivate us effortlessly. One such image depicts a young boy assisting his father in warming his two premature twin sisters, evoking a sense of deep connection and compassion.
Originally shared on the Danish Facebook page “Parents and Birth in Denmark” approximately three years ago, this heartwarming photo has resurfaced, garnering renewed attention and appreciation.
In recent years, Scandinavian maternity centers have adopted an innovative approach to caring for their newborns.
Known as the “skin-to-skin” method, or “Kangaroo care,” this practice involves placing premature infants in direct contact with their parents’ skin, providing them with warmth, comfort, and emotional support during a critical phase of their early development.
Research from the National Institute of Health indicates that this method effectively reduces pain and stress among preterm babies, facilitating their recovery and overall well-being.
The impact of this approach has been profound, with Scandinavian maternity centers reporting a significant increase in the survival rate of premature infants, from 30% to an impressive 70%.
One poignant image illustrating this method depicts a 5-year-old boy assisting his father, with one newborn nestled on the father’s chest and the other cradled tenderly by the young boy.
In this tranquil moment, all participants appear at ease, experiencing the profound benefits of this gentle and nurturing practice.
As the image continues to resonate across the internet, it serves as a poignant reminder of the power of human connection and the transformative impact of love and compassion in the earliest stages of life.
A baby girl who ‘never stops smiling’ is living with a rare skin condition that makes her skin crack
Those nine months a mom carries her baby are filled with joy, anticipation, and a dose of uncertainty. What the new parents hope for is their bundle of joy to be healthy. Sadly, that is not always the case.
Jennie Wilklow, from Highland, New York, couldn’t wait to meet her daughter. She and her husband were over the moon to hold her in their arms. All the ultrasounds and doctor’s appointment suggested the baby was healthy, so they were eased and never thought sweet Anna would be born with a condition that would change all of their lives forever.
Jennie delivered Anna via C-section at 34 weeks. Doctors told her she looked beautiful and that was all Jennie needed to hear at that point.
Shortly after, the proud mom heard her daughter cry, and that was just another sign that everything was right with her little jewel.
When her husband visited Jennie, he was strangely silent and looked worried and puzzled.
“My husband’s silence scared me; he just sat in shock as the doctor left, and I prodded for more info,” Jennie shared with Cafe Mom.
“He just kept saying, ‘It’s bad.’ What does that even mean? I thought in my head. He told me, ‘Jennie, I looked in her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.’”
Anna was diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis, a rare condition that causes thick diamond-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks. “As they tried frantically to help her, her skin hardened within seconds (of birth). After hardening, it began to split, causing open wounds all over her body,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
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Although doctors weren’t sure she would survive, Anna beat the odds and is thriving. “She was beauty in the purest form,” her mom said.
There isn’t cure, and the treatment is quite demanding as it requires constant baths and keeping the skin as much moisturized as possible. “Every couple of hours I covered her with Vaseline and bathed her for many hours of the day. I had dreamed for years about the things my baby would wear, and though it seemed so trivial, it was what I struggled with most,” Jennie said.
In an attempt to raise awareness about this condition, Jennie posts photos of Anna on her Instagram page harlequindiva. She opens up about the everyday struggles and what it is like to have a child with harlequin ichthyosis.
“Anna captured everyone’s hearts because she is the purest form of perfection. Doing the work every day is simple when I’m doing it for her, and with every new accomplishment, the world celebrates with me,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
She adds, “I now understand that I was given her because of the love I already carried in my heart for my daughter. Anna was meant for me, and I for her, and together we will show the world what true beauty is.”
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