Kangaroo Care for Preterm Babies

Skin-to-skin contact provides a medical benefit for your baby and helps with bonding

Premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can benefit from skin-to-skin contact with a parent. This practice is called kangaroo care and is named for the way kangaroo mothers carry their joeys (kangaroo baby) in pouches. It’s not only moms who can provide kangaroo care, dads are also encouraged to try the method and bond with their preemies.

With kangaroo care, the baby is placed upright on the parent’s naked chest, wearing only a nappy and a hat. A blanket can be draped over the baby’s back and around the parent to provide warmth in a safe, cocoon-like environment.

Not all preterm babies are candidates for kangaroo care, but if you do want to consider it, speak to your baby’s healthcare team. You should be able to start as soon as you and your baby are ready. If you aren’t able to practice kangaroo care and you want to, it’s natural to feel disappointed. Speak to the healthcare team about when you may be able to start. Your baby’s journey is only just beginning and there may be time and opportunity in the future.

Benefits for Baby

A number of research studies have been conducted as to why kangaroo care has medical benefits. The results show that when the baby is in close contact with a parent, their temperatures stabilise, heart and respiratory rates regulate and oxygen saturation rates improve.

When a baby feels safe and warm with mom or dad, he or she will often fall into a deep sleep, and so conserving his or her energy for growth, important for steady weight gain. Kangaroo care is also beneficial for the baby’s brain development. Through various studies, healthcare providers now know that kangaroo care can also help to reduce the amount of stress a preterm baby may experience. This has been confirmed by tests that reveal an increase in oxytocin and a decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol in the baby’s blood. Oxytocin is known as the bonding or love hormone and helps to build and strengthen your bond with your baby.

Benefits for Parents

Having a baby in the NICU can be challenging for parents. You want to bond with your baby and care for him or her, but you may feel helpless as to what role you can play. Kangaroo care provides parents with an opportunity to be part of baby’s healing progress in the NICU.

For moms, kangaroo care can also help to maintain the close bond you shared with your baby inside the womb. This closeness is beneficial as studies have shown that kangaroo care can decrease the risk of postnatal depression.

By regularly interacting with your preterm baby, your confidence in how to handle him or her will also increase. There are several other ways you can provide love and care for your baby while they are in the NICU. Look out for our other article in this month’s e-newsletter, Love and Care for the Preterm Baby, for more tips and advice.

If you are planning to breastfeed your baby, kangaroo care can stimulate the release of oxytocin in your bloodstream, which will help to stimulate your milk supply. Your baby may even seek your nipple and start breastfeeding spontaneously.

Tips for Practicing Kangaroo Care

• Take a bath or shower at home to ensure that your skin is clean. Don’t put on lotion or perfume. Keep your scent as natural as possible. Avoid smoking before you visit your baby.
• Wear a button-down shirt that you can open in the front and unclip your bra.
• Take along a blanket or gown to place over you and your baby during the session. The hospital may provide a sheet or throw for you to use.
• Take along a handheld mirror, so you can see your baby’s face.
• Have something to eat and drink prior to heading to the hospital and use the restroom before you go into the NICU. You’ll be more comfortable and settled with these needs taken care of.
• Wash and sanitise your hands as you enter the NICU. There may be additional protocols required during the COVID-19 period. You should keep your mask on at all times.
• Hospital staff will show you how to handle your baby, especially if he or she is connected to monitors or other medical equipment, like a ventilator to help him or her breath.
• Sessions are generally around an hour long – aim for at least four sessions per week. Ask your baby’s healthcare provider if you want to consider longer or more sessions and if this would be beneficial for baby.
• You will sit upright in a chair for the session, so make sure you feel comfortable. Place a pillow at your back or under your elbows if you need additional support.
• Once you have your baby settled on your chest, relax your own muscles and listen to the sound of your baby’s breathing. Allow him or her to fall into a deep sleep.
• Avoid distractions like a cell phone. Be mindful in the situation and focus on your baby.
• If you are not feeling well, rather skip a session until you feel better. Your baby’s immune system is still developing, and an illness can set him or her back.

While kangaroo care is a form of therapy used in the NICU for preterm babies, all babies can benefit from skin-to-skin contact with mom or dad or another caregiver. Touching and holding your baby is an important part of bonding.

Contact your midwife or healthcare provider for support, advice and counselling.

Resources:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/; https://www.medscape.com/; https://www.tommys.org/; https://www.parents.com/; https://www.marchofdimes.org/; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/; https://www.webmd.com/; https://www.sciencedirect.com/