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.
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Requirements for KMC

• A mother (works with fathers too)
• Supportive atmosphere
• A carrying cloth or stretchy baby wrap as an option
• A reclining chair if blanket is used

The Latest on Kangaroo Mother Care

he World Health Organization, Unicef, The March of Dimes, and the National Institute of Health all recommend the use of Kangaroo Mother Care and deem it a scientifically sound, low cost, and a high impact developmental intervention for both baby and mother.
New research by Dr Joy Lawn shows that Kangaroo Mother Care is one of the most powerful and effective ways to save preterm babies all over the world. Below are some of his statements.

“Acceptance of the KMC method is increasingly widespread andit is considered equivalent to conventional neonatal care forstable preterm infants and more parent and baby friendly”.
“It is evident that KMC has a substantial mortality effect comparedwith conventional neonatal care, and it is also evident thatthis mortality benefit is possible even at large scale”.
“No matter if babies are born in Lilongwe, London or Los Angeles, preterm babies need extra care to survive. Kangaroo Mother Care is low-cost and feasible, and we now have proof it is one of the most highly effective ways to give more babies the chance to survive and thrive.”
“There is no doubt this intervention can save lives — but the reality is that babies will continue to die unnecessarily unless we prioritize high-impact care (KMC)”.

The Boba Baby Wrap Baby Carrier and Kangaroo Mother Care

7 days old, born at 28 weeks, 2lbs 13 ounces

The Boba Baby Wrap is a stretchy baby wrap carrier that frees the hands of parents carrying even the tiniest of babies. Top neonatal centers worldwide are advising Kangaroo Mother Care, yet in many NICU’s no special shirts or equipment are used. Most often the parents are reclining on a chair skin to skin with their naked baby covered by nothing more than a blanket.
Wrapping mother and her preterm baby together with a Boba Baby Wrap is not only practical, but it

• helps maintain the correct head and neck positioning of baby
• conforms perfectly and clings to the contours of baby’s and mom’s body
• offers just the right amount of elasticity providing a familiar womb-like feeling of confinement
• envelops the baby’s entire body that is not in contact with mother so that heat is better conserved
• allows mother to move freely
• provides ultimate softness for such delicate baby skin
• may encourage parents to practice KMC for longer periods of time as parents are less apt to tire.

So now that you’ve educated yourself about what Kangaroo Care looks like, come over and check out all theincredible health benefits of Kangaroo Care. Help your preemie develop into a healthy baby.  Empower yourself!

Source: http://www.boba.com/kangaroo-mother-care