Kangaroo Care
What is Kangaroo Care?
Kangaroo Care is a method of skin-to-skin contact used to promote parent/infant bonding, especially for premature babies. It is the practice of holding an infant dressed only in a diaper between a mother’s bare breasts or on father’s chest, similar to a kangaroo carrying its young. Through contact with their parent’s skin, the babies remain warm and can interact with their parents.
The Research on Kangaroo Care
Studies show that babies have a biological need for skin-on-skin contact, and that a mother’s body responds to this need. Research on Kangaroo Care concludes:
A mother’s chest temperature changes to meet her baby’s needs, rising if baby is cold and decreasing if the infant becomes too warm. The mother’s chest responds through biofeedback, doing a superior job to a traditional incubator.
A baby’s stress hormones, blood pressure, oxygenation, temperature, and heart rate stabilize with skin-on-skin contact. These findings are changing hospital practices for the better. Babies are more likely to be left on their mothers for at least an hour after bitrh in order to assist in this vital sign stabilization. This is also true before and after any invasive procedure such as drawing blood.
A baby that experiences skin-on-skin is more likely to breastfeed without problems. Such close contact “elicits care-giving and protective behaviors.”
Kangaroo Care and Breastfeeding
Mothers who practice skin-on-skin and Kangaroo Care with their infants breastfeed longer and more frequently. Babies have better weight gain and are discharged from the hospital earlier. These mothers also report greater confidence in caring for their infants.
Dads too!
Fathers who practice Kangaroo care with their baby also feel an incredible bond.
This is highly preferable to having dad involved by bottle feeding, which can have the adverse effect of decreasing the mother’s milk supply, which leads to early weaning.
There are several great baby carriers/wraps available for use when practicing Kangaroo care. Here is a list of our favorites:
With the Moby Wrap, parents can be hands-free. There is no fabric separating the parent from the baby, so parents can practice skin-on-skin for several hours a day with ease. The wrap is wide enough to keep the parent covered and warm. Learn more about the Moby Wrap
Kangaroo Care: The Overall Results
According to Dr. Sears and many other experts, skin-on-skin and baby-wearing are proven to:
- reduce crying
- help prevent colic
- boost milk production
- lower baby’s (and mother’s) stress hormones
- increase baby’s weight
- increase baby’s overall health
- improve baby’s sleep time and quality
Kangaroo care is one of the most rewarding ways for parents and caregivers to bond with their babies!
