What is Kangaroo Mother Care?

Kangaroo Mother Care is a method of care practiced on babies, usually on a preterm infant, where the infant is held skin-to-skin with his mother, father, or substitute caregiver. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was initially developed in Colombia as a way to keep stable preterm infants warm and decrease time spent in overcrowded hospital environments. However, Kangaroo Mother Care is not limited solely to environments where incubators are unreliable or unavailable, but is practiced in leading neonatal centers all over the world. Research conducted worldwide has quickly revealed that this special way of holding your infant has an extraordinary effect on preterm babies.

How do you “Kangaroo” an infant? Using the Boba Baby Wrap for Kangaroo Care - 3 lbs 11.9 ounces - just about 32 weeks gestation/1 month old A baby is held in continuous skin to skin contact-as close to 24 hours a day as possible- with his mother. This is accomplished by placing the baby in the kangaroo position- a strictly upright position and stomach down (prone)- on the mother’s bare chest. Technology can be added on as needed. Exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal. The mother may recline in a chair with blanket draped over her chest or she may stand upright if sling or wrap is available.

Who should practice Kangaroo Mother Care? Preterm or low birth weight babies admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care baby unit when medically stabilized. It is possible even if your baby is intubated. Well preterm and low birth weight babies. Full term, well babies. Babies who have been separated for some reason from their mothers to aid in maternal attachment Mothers and babies who wish to establish breastfeeding and maintain milk supply.

Kangaroo Mother Care provides intimate form of protection so that rest, growth, and natural healing may occur. Although it was initially developed for use with preterm and low birth weight babies Kangaroo Mother Care is beneficial for all babies as constant contact with their mothers and her warmth, breast milk, love and protection are all the basic requirements needed for their well being and survival.

    

Material from www.boba.com