Have you heard of kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin contact for newborn babies? You might've seen images of newborn or premature babies strapped to their parent's chest. If you were wondering why parents do that or why a baby needs such care, this is for you.
Kangaroo care involves holding a baby to the mother's or even the father's chest so that both skins touch. The baby wears a diaper, hat, and socks to keep warm, and the parent then holds the baby to their bare chest.
Kangaroo care is predominantly used with preterm infants. Though the mother usually does it, fathers can do it too. In cases where the mother underwent medical surgery or is recovering herself, the father can strap the baby to his chest and offer skin-to-skin contact.
When advanced science and medical facilities can offer neonatal care for infants, why do we need kangaroo mother care? Early skin-to-skin contact is recommended in the following cases:
● Premature/preterm babies
● Low birth weight
● To offer more warmth to the baby
● When a mother's breastmilk supply has to improve
● To protect the baby from infections.
So, how long does a baby require kangaroo mother care?
It varies from baby to baby. The type and duration of kangaroo mother care depends on various factors including how early the baby was born, the birth weight, other medical conditions, etc.
WHO has published a guideline with recommendations for the duration, timing of initiation, baby positioning, equipment and supplies needed, discharge criteria and follow–up frequency. If your baby needs kangaroo mother care, your doctor will discuss the various factors of this guideline.
It is helpful both for the mother and the baby.
Kangaroo mother care is increasingly becoming popular among both parents and doctors due to the following benefits:
● It effectively reduces the mortality rate for preterm infants.
● Helps in neurodevelopmental outcomes
● The close contact helps put your baby at ease and stabilize their heart rate.
● Baby's breathing pattern will regularise and improve
● Baby will sleep better and for longer, thus increasing the duration of their sleep cycles.
● It encourages the baby's growth.
● It soothes the baby and can help alleviate discomfort and pain during prick tests or other routine tests
● It will keep the baby warm and reduce the risk of hypothermia
● It helps bond with the baby from the beginning and gives parents the self-confidence to handle a baby.
● Increase breast milk supply as skin-to-skin contact stimulates the hormones.
● Helps new mothers with anxiety, depression, and postpartum blues.
● It is absolutely free and hence affordable for people from all economic classes.
● It can help in areas where neonatal care is not available.
Kangaroo care is not restricted to the mothers. Even the fathers or anyone close to the baby can offer this type of support for the baby's wellbeing. Always ensure the person providing the kangaroo care is clean and infection-free. Here are a few valuable tips to help you get started:
1. Easy-to-Remove Clothing—Kangaroo care is skin-to-skin, so you need to wear front-open clothing. Ensure it is light, comfortable, and easy to open. Very thick or itchy materials can be uncomfortable for you and the baby.
2. Baby Position—The hospital nursing staff or doctors will help you become familiar with the positioning. Always place your baby upright with its head on one side of your chest. The baby's entire body should comfortably rest on yours.
3. Covering Baby—Babies can't regulate their body temperature. Ensure the baby is wearing a cap to cover its head, socks, and mittens (if it does not irritate them). These will help retain some warmth. Once the baby is in position, you can either wrap it securely around your body or use a blanket to drape it over you both.
4. Relax – Now that you and the baby are in position and well covered, it is time to relax. Breathe steadily, usually to help you relax. When you are relaxed, your baby will feel comfortable, too. Do not play or keep touching your baby. Let them snuggle and sleep.
5. Schedule – Schedule your kangaroo care sessions. The hospital will advise multiple sessions until the baby is better. Scheduling helps you sort out all your responsibilities and set aside time for kangaroo care, and consistency can also help the baby fall into a rhythm.
6. Don'ts—As tempting as it can be, refrain from using your mobile phone while holding your baby. Not only will it be a distraction for you, but the device will be too close to the baby's brain as well. Don't smoke, talk loudly, cook, or clean when holding your baby in this position.
Though kangaroo mother care is skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the baby, you will require the following for best results:
● A comfortable room big enough for both mother and baby
● Comfortable furniture, including beds and chairs for the mother to sit with the baby
● Diapers, hats, socks, mittens, and blankets for baby
● A thermometer to monitor the baby's temperature from time to time
● A suitable medium to record the KMC frequency, duration, etc.
● Basic drugs for mother and baby in case of infections and other frequent problems preterm infants are prone to.
Kangaroo mother care typically involves the hospital staff teaching the parents how to strap and care for the baby. The parents will most likely be discharged early and sent home to continue the care. If the baby or mother is very weak or in a high-risk category, they will be under close observation for longer.
KMC is a safe intervention at home and can be given on advice of the doctors . The necessary precautions and care will be told to you by the treating team at the time of discharge
Kangaroo mother care and early skin-to-skin contact can be very beneficial for preterm and low birth-weight babies. It is simple, affordable, and does not have any side effects to worry about.
Skin-to-skin contact requires the baby's bare skin to be in contact with the mother or father's bare skin. In kangaroo mother care, the baby has to be in a particular position and strapped to the parent's chest.
Kangaroo care is a method of skin-to-skin contact care in which the baby, without any clothes, is strapped chiefly to the parent's bare chest. WHO recommends the best position, duration, and frequency in its guidelines for KMC.
KMC helps in breastfeeding by stimulating milk production in the mother. The skin-to-skin contact increases milk supply and also calms down the baby. Studies show calmer babies tend to consume more, thus increasing their breast milk intake. The more the demand from the baby, the more the mother’s body will produce.
When done under professional guidance and supervision, kangaroo mother care is safe for all newborns, including premature and low birth weight babies. Once the parents learn how to offer kangaroo mother care, they can go back home and continue doing it without professional supervision.
Yes, fathers can offer kangaroo mother care as well. In many cases, where the mother is also recovering from childbirth complications or surgery, the father offers KMC for the newborn.
