Sandy and Steve Darrell partly credit a revolutionary new preemie therapy for helping their baby, Julene, to do so well after being born four months early and before what would have been her original due date.

Developed in Colombia, where many parents of premature babies do not have access to the high tech neonatal intensive care wards, “kangaroo mother care” is as simple as being held close to a parent.

A tube top allows skin-to-skin contact and both parents participate. It is thought that with this skin-to-skin care, the babies are better able to stay warm, learn faster how to regulate their own breathing by feeling the mother or father breathing and the immune system develops because they are breathing what the parents breathe. It also provides a soothing effect.

While they held her they often read Bible stories to her. Eventually, Julene began reach up and touch her father's face.

Because she was one of the first babies to undergo kangaroo care at Miami's Holt Hospital, the Darrells story is being printed in Connect, a magazine for Dade County, Florida to be released in April.

“I believe the kangaroo care is the reason why Julene hasn't had any complications,” said Mr Darrell.

Mrs Darrell said even now, Julene still loves to be held.

Useful website: www.kangaroomothercare.com/.