Kangaroo Care is a method of holding a baby to the chest for skin-to-skin contact. It is especially beneficial for preterm and low-birth-weight infants, who often face challenges such as maintaining body temperature, breathing, feeding, and bonding with their parents. Kangaroo care can support the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of these vulnerable babies, as well as improve the well-being of their caregivers. In this essay, I will explain what kangaroo care is, how it works, and what are its advantages.

What is Kangaroo Care?

Kangaroo care is named after the way kangaroos carry their young in a pouch, where they are warm, protected, and close to their mother. Similarly, kangaroo care involves placing a baby on the bare chest of a parent or another caregiver, usually wearing only a diaper, a hat, and socks. The baby is then covered with a blanket or a wrap to keep them cozy and secure. Kangaroo care can be done in the hospital, including in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as at home. It can be started as soon as possible after birth, and continued for as long as the baby and the caregiver enjoy it.

Who invented it?

It was first invented by doctors Edgar Rey and Hector Martinez, while working in a hospital in Bogota, Colombia, in 1978. They developed it as an alternative to incubator care for preterm and low-birth-weight infants.

How does it work?

Kangaroo care works by providing a natural and nurturing environment for the baby, where they can feel the warmth, heartbeat, and voice of their caregiver. This stimulates the baby’s senses, regulates their physiology, and enhances their attachment. Some of the mechanisms that kangaroo care affects are:

• Thermoregulation: Kangaroo care helps the baby maintain a stable body temperature, as the caregiver’s chest acts as a natural incubator. The caregiver can also adjust their own body temperature to match the baby’s needs. This reduces the risk of hypothermia, which can cause complications such as infections, bleeding, and metabolic problems.
• Breathing: Kangaroo care helps the baby breathe more easily, as the caregiver’s chest movements and sounds synchronize with the baby’s respiratory rhythm. The baby also receives more oxygen from the caregiver’s skin, and has less apnea and bradycardia episodes, which are pauses in breathing and heart rate. This reduces the need for supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation, which can have side effects such as lung damage, bleeding, and infection.
• Feeding: Kangaroo care helps the baby feed more effectively, as the skin-to-skin contact stimulates the production and release of breast milk. The baby also has easier access to the breast, and can latch on and suckle better. This increases the chances of exclusive breastfeeding, which provides optimal nutrition, immunity, and protection from diseases. Kangaroo care also promotes weight gain and growth, which are crucial for the survival and development of preterm and low-birth-weight infants.
• Bonding: Kangaroo care helps the baby bond with their caregiver, as the skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin, a hormone that fosters love, trust, and attachment. The baby also feels more secure, calm, and comfortable, and cries less. This improves the quality of the relationship, and enhances the emotional and social development of the baby. Kangaroo care also benefits the caregiver, as they feel more confident, competent, and involved in the care of their baby. They also experience less stress, anxiety, and depression, and more satisfaction and happiness.

What are the advantages of Kangaroo Care?

Kangaroo care has many advantages for preterm and low-birth-weight infants, as well as for their caregivers and the health system. Some of the advantages are:

• Reduced mortality and morbidity: Kangaroo care lowers the risk of death and illness for preterm and low-birth-weight infants, especially in low-resource settings where incubators and other equipment are scarce or unavailable.
  • A systematic review of 124 studies found that kangaroo care reduced neonatal mortality by 36%, severe infection by 47%, and hypothermia by 78%.
  • Kangaroo care also protects the brain and nervous system of the baby, and prevents long-term complications such as cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties.
• Improved breastfeeding and nutrition: Kangaroo care increases the rates and duration of exclusive breastfeeding, which is the best source of food and protection for preterm and low-birth-weight infants.
  • A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that kangaroo care increased exclusive breastfeeding at discharge by 50%, and at three to six months by 39%.
  • Kangaroo care also improves the quality and quantity of breast milk, and supports the baby’s digestion and metabolism.
• Enhanced development and growth: Kangaroo care fosters the physical, emotional, and cognitive development and growth of preterm and low-birth-weight infants, who often lag behind their full-term peers.
  • A randomized controlled trial of 716 infants found that kangaroo care improved head circumference, length, and weight at 12 months, as well as motor and mental scores at 6, 12, and 18 months.
  • Kangaroo care also stimulates the baby’s senses, language, and memory, and supports their learning and problem-solving skills.
• Strengthened attachment and well-being: Kangaroo care strengthens the attachment and well-being of preterm and low-birth-weight infants and their caregivers, who often face challenges such as separation, stress, and trauma.
  • A meta-analysis of 21 studies found that kangaroo care improved maternal-infant interaction, maternal sensitivity, and maternal satisfaction.
  • Kangaroo care also reduces the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases the levels of oxytocin, a love hormone, in both the baby and the caregiver.
• Cost-effectiveness and accessibility: Kangaroo care is cost-effective and accessible, as it does not require expensive or sophisticated equipment or facilities. It can be done by any caregiver, anywhere, and anytime, as long as the baby is stable and the caregiver is willing and able. Kangaroo care can also save money for the health system, as it reduces the length of hospital stay, the need for intensive care, and the incidence of complications and infections.

How can I do Kangaroo Care at home?

Kangaroo care is a method of holding your baby to your chest for skin-to-skin contact. To do kangaroo care at home, you will need to follow some basic steps:

• Wash your hands before you get started. This will prevent the transmission of germs to your baby.
• Find a private and comfortable location to perform the kangaroo care. You can use a couch, a bed, or a chair, as long as you can relax and stay still for at least an hour.
• Remove your baby’s clothing, except for a diaper, a hat, and socks. This will maximize the skin-to-skin contact and the warmth between you and your baby.
• Remove your own shirt and bra, if you wear one. You can also wear a loose, front-opening blouse or shirt that you can open to place your baby inside.
• Hold your baby against your chest, in an upright position, with their head resting to one side. You can use a blanket or a wrap to cover your baby’s back and keep them cozy and secure.
• Relax and enjoy the bonding time with your baby. You can talk, sing, or read to your baby, or just listen to their heartbeat and breathing. Avoid using phones or other electronic devices that can distract you from your baby.

You can do kangaroo care as often as you and your baby like, as long as your baby is stable and your doctor approves it. Kangaroo care can help your baby’s health, development, and attachment, as well as your own well-being and happiness.

A mother holding her newborn baby on her warm chest for skin on skin time at the hospital.

Can fathers do it?

Yes, fathers can do kangaroo care, too.

Fathers can practice kangaroo care in the hospital, including in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as at home. They can start kangaroo care as soon as possible after birth, and continue for as long as they and their baby enjoy it.

Fathers who took part in a study reported a “silent language of love and connection” with their infant when they adopted the kangaroo care model.

To do kangaroo care, you will need to dress comfortably, remove your shirt and hold your baby, wearing only a diaper and a hat, on your chest. You can use a blanket or a wrap to cover your baby and keep them warm and secure. You can relax and enjoy the bonding time with your baby, talk, sing, or read to them, or just listen to their heartbeat and breathing.

How long should I do Kangaroo Care?

The length of kangaroo care sessions can vary depending on your situation and your baby’s medical needs. Your baby’s care team can offer specific guidance on how long to do kangaroo care and how often.

In general, researchers suggest that longer sessions are more beneficial than shorter ones, and that kangaroo care should be done at least once per day for 1 to 3 hours. Some sources recommend doing kangaroo care for as long as you and your baby enjoy it, and continuing it throughout the postpartum period, especially for the first 12 weeks

Can siblings also participate in it?

Yes, siblings can also participate in kangaroo care, as long as they are supervised by an adult and the baby is medically stable.

Siblings can practice kangaroo care in the hospital, with the permission and guidance of the medical staff, as well as at home, with the support of the parents. Siblings can hold their baby brother or sister on their chest, with a blanket or a wrap to cover them, and talk, sing, or read to them. Siblings who took part in kangaroo care reported feeling more connected, involved, and responsible for their baby. They also felt less jealous, angry, or sad about the situation.

Does it also help healthy baby in first few months? Does Kangaroo Care help develop brain better?

Yes, kangaroo care can also help healthy babies in the first few months of life.

Kangaroo care can also help develop the brain better, especially for premature and low-birth-weight babies. Kangaroo care can stimulate the baby’s senses, language, and memory, and support their learning and problem-solving skills. Kangaroo care can also protect the brain and nervous system of the baby, and prevent long-term complications such as cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties

Conclusion

Kangaroo care is a method of caring for preterm and low-birth-weight infants that involves skin-to-skin contact with a caregiver. It has many benefits for the baby, such as improved survival, health, development, and bonding, as well as for the caregiver, such as increased confidence, competence, and happiness. Kangaroo care is also simple, safe, and affordable, and can be done in any setting and by any caregiver. Kangaroo care is recommended by the World Health Organization as a powerful and easy-to-use method to promote the health and well-being of preterm and low-birth-weight infants, as well as their families.