Kangaroo care (KC) is a form of neonatal care that involves practicing early, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the baby. In ideal situations, the baby’s nutrition is breast milk only. This form of care is advised for low body weight (LBW) infants and preterm (infants between 26-36 weeks of gestation) babies.
Who Needs Kangaroo Care?
Babies on life support care, tend to agitate while they are constantly in an incubator or ventilator. Kangaroo care is an effective method that humanises the NICU experience by involving parents in caring for their at-risk infant. Research suggests that infants who receive immediate KC at birth have a reduced mortality rate than those in an incubator.
Can Only Mother Give Kangaroo Care
Kangaroo mother care is considered most beneficial for the baby. It is because the babies recognise their mother’s heartbeat and breathing rhythm from their time in the womb. Nevertheless, a leading pediatrician in Delhi suggests that fathers can also provide KC for infants when the mother is overwhelmed or not in proper health. They recommend sick mothers to avoid skin-to-skin contact as infants are at very high risk of catching the smallest of infections.
How to provide Kangaroo Mother Care
Wear comfortable clothes that open in front and remove any innerwear. The baby too shall be naked except for diapers. Hold the baby upright against your chest. You can consult a pediatrician in Delhi to learn how to properly hold the baby. Cover up both yourself and the baby’s back for warmth. You can use a blanket for comfort. Ensure a calming environment and try to relax. Avoid using mobile phones or any distractions for the time you practise KC. Each session should be at least sixty minutes. You can have multiple sessions throughout the day. Babies tend to sleep on snuggling with their mothers. Let them rest while you cherish the moments, as they will grow out too soon.
Benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care
There are several benefits for both the child and the mother. Foremost, it stabilises the baby’s heart rate and breathing pattern as the infant’s body auto-adjusts to the mother’s relaxed body rhythms. KC helps in improved oxygen saturation levels and reduces agitation and crying. It encourages faster recovery and early discharge from the hospital.
The added sleep time, while the baby gets assisted thermal (body temperature) regulation from the caregiver, allows their bodies to redirect energy towards growth and body weight gain. Additionally, it results in more successful breastfeeding episodes.
The mother can bond with the infant and gets a sense of security for the child. It also helps with breast milk supply. Most importantly, it reduces anxiety and postpartum stress in mothers.
To learn how to provide proper Kangaroo Mother Care, visit a trusted maternity hospital in Delhi. Please be aware that it is not an alternative to the expert care a premature infant may need from an experienced pediatrician in Delhi. It is only an extension of care beyond medicine to make the child as comfortable as possible.
