Resources for Parents

	What is Kangaroo Care?  Kangaroo care is skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their premature infant. The baby wears only a diaper  (hats are optional) while held against the bare chest of the parent. Parents can hold the baby from 30 minutes to 24 hours a day. Both mommies and daddies can participate in Kangaroo Care!

Kangaroo Care is often initiated with premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in order to promote parent-infant bonding and has several advantages and disadvantages.
 

Advantages of Kangaroo Care for MOM & DAD:
 

• Promotes bonding with the infant
• Increases mom's breast milk supply
• Mom can breastfeed earlier and longer
• Parents actually feel like PARENTS!
• Better prepared for discharge
• More confidence in caring for their infant
• Increased sense of control
• Easier to cope with stress and emotions of having a premature infant.

Advantages of Kangaroo Care for the BABY:

• Promotes bonding with the parent
• Parent’s heartbeat comforts the infant
• Increases deep sleep patterns
• Shorter hospital stay
• Increases ability to stay warm
• Increases oxygen level
• Reduces pauses in breathing
• Decreases episodes of a slow heart rate
• Breastfeed earlier

Disadvantages of Kangaroo Care for BABY:
 

• Limited to stable, weight-gaining infants who meet specific hospital guidelines.

Disadvantages of Kangaroo Care for PARENTS:
 

• Time consuming
• Requires intense commitment

When Can Kangaroo Care Be Started?

Most hospital policies have a weight and breathing criteria. Generally the infant is breathing room air and heart rate, oxygen level, and temperature remain normal when handled. Nurses may be able to facilitate Kangaroo Care and continue monitoring.

How Do You Do Kangaroo Care?

Mom or dad usually sit in a comfortable chair, often a rocking chair, and hold the infant in an upright position on the parent’s bare chest. We recommend wearing a shirt that opens or buttons in the front to make the process easier and more enjoyable.  The baby is wearing a diaper and possibly a hat. This technique allows for the skin-to-skin contact. Once both infant and parent are positioned comfortably, they may be covered with a blanket. When positioned and covered, just rock, relax, and bond with your bundle of joy!  Privacy is respected by using screens during Kangaroo Care.  Kangaroo Care is started for short time periods and advanced to longer time periods as tolerated.

For More Information:

Kangaroo Care for Our Little Miracles
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/6554/index.html

Miami Herald Medical Report:Awardwinning Kangaroo Care
http://www.mountsinaimiami.org/PUBLIC/kangaroo.htm

USNews World Report: Taking a cue from Kangaroos
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/990607/nycu/kangaroo.htm

International Network for Kangaroo Mother Care

References